Gama-1 Technologies awarded $5.8M for ASCSS II support, with 6 bidders in a full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,820,980 ($5.8M)

Contractor: Gama-1 Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-03-23

End Date: 2031-03-22

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: APPLICATIONS AND SCIENCE APPLICATION COMMON SERVICES SUPPORT (ASCSS) II

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $5.8 million to GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: APPLICATIONS AND SCIENCE APPLICATION COMMON SERVICES SUPPORT (ASCSS) II Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive bidding process. 2. The contract was competed openly, suggesting a healthy market for these services. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the established nature of the services and contractor. 4. Performance context is within the scope of IT support for NOAA's applications. 5. This contract fits within the broader IT services sector for government support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $5.8 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the presence of six bidders in a full and open competition implies that the pricing was likely competitive and reflects market rates for these types of services. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and aligned with the value delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. Six bidders participated in this competition, suggesting a robust level of market interest and a reasonable degree of competition. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and can drive down costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition with multiple bidders is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at competitive prices, maximizing the value of federal dollars spent.

Public Impact

Federal employees within NOAA will benefit from enhanced IT application and science application support. Services delivered include common support for applications and scientific tools, ensuring operational continuity. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contractor is located and services are likely rendered. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be employed by Gama-1 Technologies to fulfill this contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Contractor has a track record, suggesting familiarity with government contracting processes.
Clear period of performance allows for predictable resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector for government contracts is vast and highly competitive. This contract falls under the 'Other Computer Related Services' category, which encompasses a wide range of IT support functions. The annual spend, while not exceptionally large, is typical for specialized IT support services. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the applications and science support required by NOAA.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates the prime contractor is not a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless subcontracting opportunities are pursued by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type necessitates robust oversight to ensure that labor hours and material costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting mechanisms, and the Inspector General's office may conduct audits as deemed necessary.

Related Government Programs

IT Support Services
Application Development and Maintenance
Science Data Management
Cloud Computing Services
IT Professional Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Need for robust government oversight to ensure performance and cost control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $5.8 million to GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. APPLICATIONS AND SCIENCE APPLICATION COMMON SERVICES SUPPORT (ASCSS) II

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GAMA-1 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

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 $5.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-23. End: 2031-03-22.

What is the specific nature of the 'Applications and Science Application Common Services Support (ASCSS) II' being provided?

The 'Applications and Science Application Common Services Support (ASCSS) II' contract likely entails providing a range of IT services essential for the operation and maintenance of NOAA's diverse applications and scientific software. This could include help desk support, system administration, software patching and updates, cybersecurity measures, data management assistance, and potentially development or enhancement of common service platforms used across various NOAA scientific programs. The 'II' suggests this is a follow-on or successor contract, implying a continuation or evolution of previously provided support.

How does the $5.8 million contract value compare to previous spending on similar NOAA IT support?

Without specific historical data for the ASCSS I or predecessor contracts, a direct comparison of the $5.8 million value is difficult. However, the contract duration of approximately five years (1825 days) suggests an average annual spend of roughly $1.16 million. This figure is moderate for a federal IT support contract, especially within an agency like NOAA that relies heavily on complex scientific applications and data processing. The competitive nature of the award (6 bidders) suggests this value is aligned with market expectations for the scope of services.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for IT support?

The primary risk with Time and Materials contracts, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Since the contractor is reimbursed for direct labor hours and material costs, there is less incentive to control the time spent or the cost of materials compared to a fixed-price contract. This necessitates strong government oversight, including detailed review of timesheets, verification of material costs, and robust performance monitoring to ensure efficiency and prevent scope creep. Without effective oversight, T&M contracts can become more expensive than initially anticipated.

What is Gama-1 Technologies' track record with federal IT support contracts?

Gama-1 Technologies, LLC has a history of performing federal IT support contracts. While specific details of past performance on similar ASCSS contracts are not provided in the summary data, their ability to win a full and open competition with multiple bidders suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience. Federal procurement databases often contain past performance evaluations, which would offer a more granular view of their success rates, customer satisfaction, and adherence to contract terms on previous engagements.

How does the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519) typically align with NOAA's mission?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is broad and encompasses a wide array of IT services not classified elsewhere. For NOAA, which operates extensive scientific research, data collection, and environmental monitoring systems, this code is highly relevant. It can cover services such as IT consulting, systems integration, network management, data processing, disaster recovery, and specialized software support. These services are crucial for maintaining the complex technological infrastructure that underpins NOAA's ability to fulfill its mission of understanding and predicting changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts.

What are the implications of awarding this contract through a BPA Call?

Awarding this contract via a BPA Call (Blanket Purchase Agreement Call) implies that it is a task order issued under a pre-existing BPA. BPAs are established with vendors to streamline the procurement of commonly purchased goods or services. This method can expedite the acquisition process and potentially offer better pricing due to pre-negotiated terms. The fact that it was a 'BPA Call' under a 'Full and Open Competition' BPA suggests the original BPA itself was competed broadly, and this specific call leverages that established framework for NOAA's needs.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1332KP25Q0010

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7500 GREENWAY CENTER DR, GREENBELT, MD, 20770

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $110,727,750

Exercised Options: $16,953,208

Current Obligation: $5,820,980

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M421ANAAA0038

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline