CACI NSS awarded $1.98M for IT video teleconference support, raising value-for-money questions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,976,212 ($2.0M)

Contractor: CACI NSS, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ITSD VIDEO TELECONFERENCE SUPPORT ENGINEER SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.0 million to CACI NSS, LLC for work described as: ITSD VIDEO TELECONFERENCE SUPPORT ENGINEER SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears moderate for specialized IT engineering services. 2. Limited public data makes direct value comparison challenging. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 4. Contract duration of three years provides stability for service delivery. 5. No small business set-aside indicates potential for large prime contractor. 6. Competition level was full and open, suggesting a competitive award process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $1.98 million over three years for video teleconference support engineer services is within a reasonable range for specialized IT support. However, without detailed scope of work and performance metrics, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar contracts for similar services would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature of the award provides cost predictability.

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 offers. This suggests a robust bidding process. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government compared to limited or sole-source procurements.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment, potentially driving down costs and encouraging innovation from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) benefits from enhanced video teleconferencing capabilities. Essential IT engineering support is provided to ensure reliable communication services. The services likely support ARS operations across its various research facilities. Workforce implications include the need for skilled engineers to maintain and operate the systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess service quality.
Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed by CACI NSS.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical communication infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
Contract duration of three years offers stability for service continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on telecommunications and computer systems support. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous providers offering specialized engineering and support. Spending in this area is driven by the increasing reliance on digital communication for government operations and research.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting goals for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the prime contractor, CACI NSS, LLC, is likely a large business, and the primary focus of the award was on technical capability and price rather than small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Agricultural Research Service. Performance monitoring and adherence to the contract terms are key oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

IT Support Services
Telecommunications Services
Video Conferencing Solutions
Engineering Services

Risk Flags

Value for money not fully ascertainable without detailed SOW and performance metrics.
Limited public information on specific deliverables and service levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.0 million to CACI NSS, LLC. ITSD VIDEO TELECONFERENCE SUPPORT ENGINEER SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI NSS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific scope of "Video Teleconference Support Engineer Services" covered under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of "Video Teleconference Support Engineer Services." Typically, such services can encompass a wide range of activities including the installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrading of video teleconferencing hardware and software. This might include managing network connectivity, ensuring audio-visual quality, providing user support, and potentially integrating different conferencing platforms. A more detailed understanding would require reviewing the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with the contract.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar IT engineering support services?

Benchmarking the awarded price of approximately $1.98 million over three years against market rates for similar IT engineering support services is challenging without more specific information on the service level agreements, required expertise, and geographic location. However, general IT support and engineering services can range significantly in cost. Factors like the complexity of the systems supported, the required security clearances, and the specific technologies involved heavily influence pricing. A comprehensive market analysis would involve comparing the contract's deliverables and labor categories against industry salary surveys and competitor pricing for comparable government or commercial contracts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate CACI NSS, LLC's performance under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. In a firm fixed-price contract for IT support services, common KPIs often relate to system uptime, response times for issue resolution, successful completion of scheduled maintenance, user satisfaction ratings, and adherence to security protocols. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would typically monitor these metrics to ensure the contractor is meeting the performance standards outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS).

What is the historical spending pattern for video teleconference support services within the Agricultural Research Service?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for video teleconference support services within the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). To assess historical spending, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services by the ARS or the broader Department of Agriculture. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for previous contracts related to video teleconferencing, IT support, and engineering services awarded to various vendors over several fiscal years to identify trends in spending levels, contract types, and awarded amounts.

Are there any known performance issues or past contract disputes involving CACI NSS, LLC with the Department of Agriculture or similar agencies?

Information regarding past performance issues or contract disputes involving CACI NSS, LLC with the Department of Agriculture or similar agencies is not present in the provided data. Contractor performance information is often maintained in the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS), which is accessible to federal contracting officials. A thorough risk assessment would involve reviewing CPARS reports and any available public records of disputes or performance concerns related to CACI NSS, LLC's prior government contracts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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: 1232SA23Q0123

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc

Address: 14370 NEWBROOK DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,976,212

Exercised Options: $1,976,212

Current Obligation: $1,976,212

Actual Outlays: $1,415,520

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12760420A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline