DOT awards $13.7M for MARAD IT support, with Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc. as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,716,434 ($13.7M)

Contractor: Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2020-09-30

End Date: 2026-06-29

Contract Duration: 2,098 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: MARAD IT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT, ENHANCEMENT, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20590

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $13.7 million to SYNERGY BUSINESS INNOVATION & SOLUTIONS INC. for work described as: MARAD IT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT, ENHANCEMENT, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.7M over its period of performance. 2. Services include application development, enhancement, operations, and maintenance. 3. Awarded under a full and open competition. 4. Prime contractor is Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc. 5. Contract duration extends through June 2026. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541519, indicating 'Other Computer Related Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.7M for IT application development, enhancement, operations, and maintenance support appears reasonable given the multi-year duration and scope of services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the absence of specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns in the provided data makes a definitive value judgment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 8 bids (indicated by 'no': 8) signifies a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs and encourages innovation among contractors, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The Maritime Administration (MARAD) benefits from continued IT support for its critical applications. Services delivered include development, enhancement, operations, and maintenance of IT systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where MARAD is headquartered. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be employed by the prime contractor and any subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT functions.
Ensuring continuous knowledge transfer and documentation.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Contract duration allows for stable IT support.
Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc. is the prime contractor, implying a clear point of accountability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on application development, maintenance, and operations. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies across the government procuring a wide range of technology solutions. This contract supports MARAD's mission-critical functions, ensuring the smooth operation of its digital infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other agencies' IT support contracts for similar services and scope.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc., is responsible for managing the contract, and any subcontracting decisions would be at their discretion, not driven by a set-aside requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) within MARAD, who monitors performance and ensures compliance with contract terms. Accountability rests with Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc. to deliver the specified IT services. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

MARAD IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Civilian Agency IT Support Services
Application Development and Maintenance Contracts
IT Operations and Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependency on contractor expertise for critical IT functions.
Ensuring data security and integrity throughout the contract lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $13.7 million to SYNERGY BUSINESS INNOVATION & SOLUTIONS INC.. MARAD IT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT, ENHANCEMENT, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SYNERGY BUSINESS INNOVATION & SOLUTIONS INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Maritime Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2026-06-29.

What is the track record of Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc. in performing similar federal IT support contracts?

A comprehensive review of Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc.'s past performance would involve examining their contract history within the federal government, particularly for IT application development, enhancement, operations, and maintenance services. This would include looking at contract values, durations, agencies served, and any performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. Understanding their experience with similar scope and complexity is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this MARAD contract. Without specific historical data on their performance metrics and client feedback, it is difficult to definitively gauge their track record. However, their selection as a prime contractor through full and open competition suggests they met initial qualification criteria.

How does the awarded value of $13.7M compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by MARAD or other Department of Transportation agencies?

To benchmark the $13.7M award, one would need to compare it against IT support contracts of similar scope (application development, enhancement, operations, maintenance) and duration awarded by MARAD or other DOT agencies. Factors such as the number of users supported, complexity of systems, and specific service level agreements (SLAs) would need to be considered for a fair comparison. If this contract covers a broad range of MARAD's IT needs over its multi-year term, the value might be considered reasonable. However, without access to detailed contract comparables and specific service details, a precise value-for-money assessment relative to peers is challenging. The fact that it was competitively bid suggests market forces influenced the pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how are they monitored?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, such contracts would include metrics related to system uptime, response times for issue resolution, software defect rates, and project delivery timelines. Monitoring these KPIs and SLAs is usually the responsibility of the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) within MARAD, who would review contractor performance reports and conduct regular meetings. Adherence to these metrics is crucial for ensuring the contractor delivers the required quality and timeliness of IT services, and deviations could lead to contractual remedies.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT application development, enhancement, operations, and maintenance support within MARAD over the past five years?

Analyzing MARAD's historical spending on IT application development, enhancement, operations, and maintenance over the past five years would provide context for the current $13.7M award. This would involve examining prior contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding trends in MARAD's IT investment, such as increases or decreases in spending, shifts in technology focus, or consolidation of contracts, can reveal strategic priorities and budget allocations. This historical data helps in assessing whether the current contract represents a continuation, expansion, or reduction of previous IT support efforts and whether the current award aligns with established spending patterns.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor's ability to deliver these IT services, based on past performance or contract type?

Assessing risks associated with Synergy Business Innovation & Solutions Inc. would require a deep dive into their past performance records, including any past performance evaluations, contract terminations, or disputes. The contract type, 'BPA CALL' (Blanket Purchase Agreement Call), suggests it's an order against an existing BPA, which might imply some level of pre-qualification. However, the specific risks depend on the complexity of MARAD's IT environment, the criticality of the applications supported, and the contractor's demonstrated ability to manage such responsibilities. Potential risks could include technical challenges, resource availability, security vulnerabilities, or project delays. Without specific risk flags or detailed performance history, a definitive risk assessment is limited.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1902 CAMPUS COMMONS DR STE 430, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,716,434

Exercised Options: $13,716,434

Current Obligation: $13,716,434

Actual Outlays: $12,492,619

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ319A000018

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline