NOAA's NMFS Awards $6.1M Contract for Software Services to TEKSYNAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,102,016 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Teksynap Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-09-21

End Date: 2027-09-20

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NOAA'S NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS), OFFICE OF HABITAT CONSERVATION (OHC)

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $6.1 million to TEKSYNAP CORPORATION for work described as: SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NOAA'S NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS), OFFICE OF HABITAT CONSERVATION (OHC) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to TEKSYNAP CORPORATION for software development and maintenance. 2. The contract is for NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Habitat Conservation (OHC). 3. This is a Time and Materials contract with a duration of 5 years. 4. The NAICS code 541512 indicates Computer Systems Design Services. 5. The award value is $6,102,015.63.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model may not always yield the most cost-effective outcome compared to fixed-price contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential IT support services for marine conservation efforts. The T&M structure necessitates vigilant oversight to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Supports critical NOAA operations for marine habitat conservation. Ensures continued functionality of vital software systems. Potential for cost increases due to T&M pricing model. Contract duration of five years provides stability for service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can inflate costs.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown for benchmarking.
No small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Supports a critical government function (NMFS OHC).
Long-term contract provides service continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Government spending on IT services is substantial, and contracts like this are common for maintaining and developing essential software infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or participation in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The Time and Materials contract type requires robust oversight from the contracting officer and technical team to monitor labor hours and material costs, ensuring the government receives fair value and avoids unnecessary expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Commerce Contracting
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Lack of small business participation.
Limited transparency on specific service deliverables.
Long contract duration without clear performance review milestones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $6.1 million to TEKSYNAP CORPORATION. SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NOAA'S NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS), OFFICE OF HABITAT CONSERVATION (OHC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEKSYNAP CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-21. End: 2027-09-20.

What specific software systems and services are included in this contract, and how do they directly support NOAA's mission?

The contract covers software development, operation, and maintenance solutions for NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Office of Habitat Conservation (OHC). These services are crucial for managing and analyzing data related to marine ecosystems, supporting conservation efforts, regulatory compliance, and scientific research vital to NOAA's mission of understanding and protecting marine life and habitats.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risk of T&M is the potential for cost overruns as the contractor is paid for labor hours and materials used, rather than a fixed price. Mitigation relies heavily on strong government oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, and clear performance standards. Without this, the $6.1M could escalate significantly beyond initial projections.

How does the use of a single award BPA call impact the overall cost-effectiveness and competition for these IT services?

A single award BPA call, even under full and open competition initially, can limit future competitive opportunities if not structured carefully. While it provides a streamlined process, it may not always drive the lowest possible price compared to multiple-award vehicles or direct competitive procurements for each task. The T&M structure further complicates assessing true cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1305M322QNFFK0082

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1900 ORACLE WAY, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned 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: $9,299,097

Exercised Options: $7,359,202

Current Obligation: $6,102,016

Actual Outlays: $3,911,954

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $713,429

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M421ANAAA0052

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline