USDA's $11.2M Nutrition Promotion Services Contract Awarded to Urban Emu, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,230,143 ($11.2M)

Contractor: Urban EMU, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-09-22

End Date: 2025-03-21

Contract Duration: 546 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NUTRITION PROMOTION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MANASQUAN, MONMOUTH County, NEW JERSEY, 08736

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $11.2 million to URBAN EMU, LLC for work described as: NUTRITION PROMOTION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $11.2 million for nutrition promotion services. 2. Awarded to Urban Emu, LLC under a BPA Call. 3. Competition type is Full and Open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The NAICS code 541511 indicates Custom Computer Programming Services. 5. Contract duration is 546 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.2 million for a 546-day period appears reasonable given the scope of custom computer programming services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT services of this nature would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition via a BPA Call, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds are being utilized efficiently through a market-driven pricing approach.

Public Impact

Citizens will benefit from enhanced nutrition promotion services, potentially leading to improved public health outcomes. The use of a BPA Call streamlines the procurement process for this specific service. The contract supports a private sector company, Urban Emu, LLC, contributing to economic activity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in custom programming services.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical services.
Ensuring the delivered services align with nutrition promotion goals.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition promotes fair pricing.
BPA Call offers efficient procurement.
Clear contract end date provides predictability.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for similar IT service contracts vary widely based on complexity and duration, but $11.2 million for a 1.5-year project is within a common range.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit indication of small business participation or subcontracting goals in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service. Oversight will involve monitoring performance against contract requirements and ensuring adherence to the firm fixed price terms.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Food and Nutrition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Scope definition for custom programming.
Measuring the impact of IT services on nutrition promotion.
Ensuring long-term maintainability of developed software.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $11.2 million to URBAN EMU, LLC. NUTRITION PROMOTION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is URBAN EMU, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Food and Nutrition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-22. End: 2025-03-21.

How effectively will the custom computer programming services translate into measurable improvements in nutrition promotion?

The effectiveness hinges on the specific functionalities developed and their adoption by the target audience. Clear performance metrics and regular evaluations tied to nutrition promotion outcomes are crucial. The contract should detail how the programming directly supports campaign goals, user engagement, and dissemination of nutritional information to ensure value for taxpayer investment.

What are the primary risks associated with the custom computer programming aspect of this contract?

Key risks include potential technical challenges in development, integration issues with existing systems, and the possibility of the final product not meeting user needs or evolving requirements. Vendor lock-in and the need for ongoing maintenance or updates post-contract are also concerns. Mitigation strategies should involve robust testing, clear documentation, and phased development with user feedback.

Does the firm fixed price structure adequately account for the complexities of custom programming, and does it ensure optimal value?

A firm fixed price can incentivize efficiency but may pose a risk if the scope is not well-defined or if unforeseen complexities arise during custom programming. If the scope is precise and the vendor has accurately estimated costs, it can ensure good value. However, poorly defined scopes can lead to change orders or a product that doesn't fully meet needs, potentially reducing overall value.

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

Solicitation ID: 12319823Q0036

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 170 B MAIN ST, MANASQUAN, NJ, 08736

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,230,143

Exercised Options: $11,230,143

Current Obligation: $11,230,143

Actual Outlays: $11,230,143

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12319822A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline