FBI NDCAC Support Services contract awarded to SYNTERAS LLC for over $2.6 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,641,715 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Synteras LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-12-26

End Date: 2025-12-25

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FBI NDCAC SUPPORT SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20535

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.6 million to SYNTERAS LLC for work described as: FBI NDCAC SUPPORT SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for custom computer programming services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Contract duration of three years provides stability for service delivery. 5. Service location in Washington D.C. may indicate a focus on national security or federal operations. 6. No small business set-aside indicates potential for larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.64 million over three years for custom computer programming services is within a reasonable range for this type of specialized IT support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support services to federal agencies, this award appears to be competitive. The firm fixed-price structure further suggests that the pricing was assessed as fair and reasonable at the time of award, aiming to control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of four bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovative solutions from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

The FBI benefits from enhanced support for its National Domestic Communications Assistance Center (NDCAC). Custom computer programming services are delivered to support critical federal operations. The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., the nation's capital. The contract supports specialized IT roles within the federal workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract helps control costs.
Full and open competition indicates a robust bidding process.
Contract duration of three years provides continuity of services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. The market for federal IT services is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in technology to support their missions. This contract for the FBI's NDCAC likely supports critical infrastructure and data analysis capabilities, fitting within the broader trend of federal agencies modernizing their IT systems and seeking specialized programming expertise.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of a small business prime award. This suggests that the primary contractor is likely a larger entity. While there is no direct subcontracting requirement specified, larger prime contractors often engage small businesses for specialized support, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, which typically has established oversight mechanisms for contract performance and financial management. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

FBI IT Support Services
GSA IT Schedule Contracts
Custom Software Development Federal Contracts
National Domestic Communications Assistance Center (NDCAC) Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for technological obsolescence over contract duration.
Need for clear scope definition to manage custom programming complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.6 million to SYNTERAS LLC. FBI NDCAC SUPPORT SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SYNTERAS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-26. End: 2025-12-25.

What is the specific role of the FBI's National Domestic Communications Assistance Center (NDCAC) and how do these support services contribute to its mission?

The FBI's National Domestic Communications Assistance Center (NDCAC) plays a crucial role in assisting federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies with lawful access to communications and electronic data. This includes providing technical assistance and expertise for investigations involving wiretaps, electronic surveillance, and the recovery of digital evidence. The custom computer programming services procured under this contract likely support the development, maintenance, and enhancement of the specialized software and systems NDCAC utilizes to process, analyze, and manage the vast amounts of data required for these sensitive operations. This directly contributes to the NDCAC's mission of enabling effective law enforcement investigations in the digital age.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type benefit the government in this scenario?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is highly beneficial for the government in this scenario because it shifts the majority of the cost risk to the contractor, SYNTERAS LLC. Under an FFP agreement, the price is set and not subject to adjustment based on the contractor's actual costs. This provides the FBI and GSA with cost certainty, making budgeting more predictable and protecting against potential cost overruns. For custom computer programming services, where the scope of work can sometimes be complex, an FFP contract incentivizes the contractor to manage their resources efficiently and deliver the agreed-upon services within the established budget. This structure is particularly advantageous when the scope of work is well-defined.

What does the presence of four bidders in a full and open competition imply about the market for these specialized IT services?

The fact that four bidders participated in the full and open competition for the FBI NDCAC support services suggests a moderately competitive market for these specialized IT services. While more bidders could indicate even greater competition, four participants demonstrate that multiple companies possess the necessary technical capabilities and are interested in contracting with the federal government for this type of work. This level of competition is generally sufficient to encourage competitive pricing and allow the government to select a vendor that offers a good balance of technical merit and cost-effectiveness. It indicates that the market is not overly concentrated with a single dominant provider.

Are there any potential risks associated with a three-year contract duration for custom computer programming services?

While a three-year contract duration (1095 days) offers stability and continuity, potential risks for custom computer programming services include technological obsolescence and evolving requirements. Over three years, technology can advance rapidly, potentially making the initially developed or supported systems outdated. Furthermore, the FBI's needs or the threat landscape might evolve, requiring significant changes to the software or services. If the contract doesn't include flexible mechanisms for adapting to these changes, the government might find itself with services that are no longer optimal or fully aligned with current needs. Careful contract management and potential for modifications are key to mitigating these risks.

How does the contract's classification as 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS 541511) differentiate it from other IT service contracts?

The NAICS code 541511, 'Custom Computer Programming Services,' specifically denotes contracts where the primary purpose is to design, develop, and implement custom software solutions tailored to a client's unique needs. This differentiates it from other IT service categories like IT infrastructure management, network support, or off-the-shelf software implementation. Contracts under this code involve activities such as writing, modifying, testing, and supporting software to meet specific user requirements. For the FBI's NDCAC, this implies that SYNTERAS LLC is likely engaged in creating or significantly altering software applications critical to the center's operational functions, rather than simply maintaining existing hardware or networks.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFSA22Q0119

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2553 DULLES VIEW DR STE 700, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,661,715

Exercised Options: $2,661,715

Current Obligation: $2,641,715

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F406DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline