NSF Awards $2.8M for Federal Funds Survey Support to Synectics

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,812,513 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Synectics for Management Decisions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2024-09-03

End Date: 2027-03-02

Contract Duration: 910 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SURVEY OF FEDERAL FUNDS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $2.8 million to SYNECTICS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, INC. for work described as: SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SURVEY OF FEDERAL FUNDS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Synectics for Management Decisions, Inc. 2. Focus on custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511). 3. Contract duration is 910 days. 4. Value is $2,812,513.44. 5. Awarded by the National Science Foundation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.81 million over approximately 30 months appears reasonable for custom programming services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized survey support is difficult without more specific service details.

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. This method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a survey support service, the value of which depends on the effectiveness and findings of the survey itself.

Public Impact

Supports the National Science Foundation's efforts to understand federal spending. The services provided could lead to improved efficiency in federal program management. Contract duration suggests a long-term need for these specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the survey's objectives and expected outcomes.
Potential for scope creep in custom programming services over the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Clear contract end date and defined duration.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically custom computer programming. Spending in this sector is significant across federal agencies for IT modernization and data analysis.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Science Foundation is responsible for oversight. The firm fixed price contract type provides some cost control, but ongoing monitoring of deliverables and performance is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
National Science Foundation Contracting
National Science Foundation Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed scope of work.
Potential for vendor lock-in with custom programming.
No small business participation noted.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical survey support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $2.8 million to SYNECTICS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, INC.. SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SURVEY OF FEDERAL FUNDS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SYNECTICS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-03. End: 2027-03-02.

What are the specific objectives and expected deliverables of the federal funds survey this contract supports?

The specific objectives and expected deliverables of the federal funds survey are not detailed in the provided data. Understanding these would allow for a more precise assessment of the contract's value and the necessity of the custom programming services. This information is critical for evaluating whether the $2.81 million investment will yield actionable insights for federal spending.

What is the risk associated with the custom programming services potentially not meeting the survey's evolving needs?

The primary risk is that the custom programming services, while fixed-price, may not perfectly align with the survey's evolving needs over its 910-day duration. If the survey's scope or technical requirements change significantly, Synectics might face challenges adapting, potentially leading to costly modifications or a final product that doesn't fully meet NSF's objectives. Clear change management protocols are essential.

How will the effectiveness of the survey support services be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

The effectiveness of these support services will likely be measured by the successful completion of the federal funds survey and the quality of its findings. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should be established to track project milestones, data accuracy, and the usability of the survey results for informing federal spending decisions. Regular reviews and feedback loops between NSF and Synectics are vital.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1655 FORT MYER DR STE 360, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,998,125

Exercised Options: $2,812,694

Current Obligation: $2,812,513

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0573Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline