NSF awards $21.5M for data systems support to Lynker Corporation, a 5-year contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,463,884 ($21.5M)

Contractor: Lynker Corporation

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2021-11-10

End Date: 2026-11-24

Contract Duration: 1,840 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: DATA SYSTEMS SUPPORT FOR NCSES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22230

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $21.5 million to LYNKER CORPORATION for work described as: DATA SYSTEMS SUPPORT FOR NCSES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 5-year duration and scope of IT support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and adherence to delivery schedules. 4. This contract supports critical data systems for the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). 5. The IT services sector is highly competitive, with many firms capable of providing this support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $21.5 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal statistical agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within projections and deliverable expectations are met. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the duration and scope indicate a significant investment.

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 bids. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. A higher number of bidders typically correlates with more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. However, the specific nature of the data systems support required may have limited the pool of qualified offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better service quality.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and its National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) are the primary beneficiaries, receiving essential IT support. Services delivered include custom computer programming and data systems support, crucial for maintaining and enhancing NCSES operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational sphere of the NSF, likely centered in Virginia where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include the potential for IT professionals employed by Lynker Corporation to contribute to federal data infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type if not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical data systems could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring data security and integrity is paramount given the sensitive nature of statistical data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent process.
Contract duration of five years allows for stability and long-term planning for data system maintenance.
Lynker Corporation's role in supporting NCSES data infrastructure is vital for scientific research and policy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in software development, system integration, and data management. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts within federal agencies can vary widely based on complexity, duration, and specific services. This contract represents a focused investment in maintaining and enhancing the data infrastructure of a key scientific statistical agency.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Lynker Corporation, a company that may or may not be classified as a small business, means that opportunities for small business participation through subcontracting are not explicitly mandated by this specific contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine Lynker's size status and its general subcontracting practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to delivery schedules, quality standards, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NSF IT Support Contracts
NCSES Data Management Services
Custom Computer Programming Services Federal Contracts
Time and Materials IT Contracts
Federal Statistical Agency IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical data systems.
Ensuring data security and integrity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $21.5 million to LYNKER CORPORATION. DATA SYSTEMS SUPPORT FOR NCSES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LYNKER CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-10. End: 2026-11-24.

What is Lynker Corporation's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the NSF?

Lynker Corporation has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those with the National Science Foundation (NSF). Analyzing their past performance on similar IT support or data systems contracts would be crucial. This includes examining past contract values, durations, any reported performance issues or awards, and their overall compliance record. A review of their contract history can indicate their reliability, expertise, and ability to meet federal requirements. Without specific data on past NSF contracts for Lynker, it's difficult to provide a detailed assessment, but their continued engagement suggests a level of satisfactory performance in previous engagements.

How does the $21.5 million contract value compare to similar data systems support contracts for federal statistical agencies?

The $21.5 million contract value over approximately five years for data systems support to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) represents a significant but not necessarily excessive investment. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this to contracts for similar services (e.g., custom programming, database management, IT infrastructure support) awarded to other federal statistical agencies like the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, or National Institutes of Health's statistical arms. Factors such as the complexity of the systems supported, the number of users, data volume, and specific technical requirements heavily influence contract values. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is within a reasonable range for a multi-year, specialized IT support contract for a federal agency.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential cost overruns due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, contractor performance issues impacting critical data systems, and data security breaches. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust oversight by NSF program managers, clearly defined performance metrics and deliverables in the contract, regular progress reviews, and strict adherence to data security protocols. The T&M structure requires diligent monitoring of labor hours and rates to prevent scope creep and ensure cost efficiency. Contractor performance is managed through contract clauses that allow for remedies if standards are not met. Data security is addressed through compliance with federal regulations like FISMA and specific security requirements outlined in the contract.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, as it theoretically maximizes the number of potential bidders and encourages competitive pricing. For this contract, two bids were received, indicating a moderate level of competition. While this is better than a sole-source award, a higher number of bids could potentially have driven prices lower or yielded more innovative solutions. The effectiveness also depends on the clarity and realism of the solicitation's requirements; if the technical specifications were highly restrictive, it might have naturally limited the pool of qualified bidders despite the open competition. Therefore, while the process itself is sound, the actual value achieved depends on the specific market dynamics and the quality of the bids received.

What is the historical spending pattern for data systems support at NCSES or similar NSF directorates?

Historical spending patterns for data systems support at NCSES and similar NSF directorates are crucial for context. Agencies like NCSES rely heavily on robust IT infrastructure to collect, process, analyze, and disseminate vast amounts of scientific and engineering data. Spending typically fluctuates based on modernization initiatives, system upgrades, cybersecurity enhancements, and routine maintenance. Analyzing past contract awards for IT services, software development, and data management within NCSES or comparable NSF units would reveal trends in annual expenditures, average contract values, and the types of services most frequently procured. This historical data allows for a more informed assessment of the current $21.5 million award's reasonableness and helps identify potential areas of increased or decreased investment over time.

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 - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 338 E MARKET ST, LEESBURG, VA, 20176

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,021,678

Exercised Options: $21,625,640

Current Obligation: $21,463,884

Actual Outlays: $17,430,963

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00GN

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline