Commerce Dept. awards $2M contract for customer experience and knowledge management support to Tenacious Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,048,897 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Tenacious Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-09-25

End Date: 2024-09-24

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.0 million to TENACIOUS SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via purchase order, indicating a streamlined acquisition process. 2. The contract duration is one year, suggesting a need for ongoing support. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to a broad range of computer-related services. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The award is for a single purchase order, not a multi-year contract. 6. The contractor, Tenacious Solutions LLC, is based in the District of Columbia.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2 million for a one-year period for customer experience and knowledge management support appears within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. However, without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for knowledge management and customer support services would provide a clearer picture of whether this pricing is competitive. The fixed-price nature of the award helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required services, or in specific circumstances where full and open competition is not feasible or advantageous. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through a bidding process, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to secure the best possible pricing through competitive bidding, which can result in less favorable value for taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce benefits from enhanced customer experience and improved knowledge management processes. Federal employees within the Department of Commerce will likely experience more efficient access to information and support. The services provided are expected to improve the overall operational efficiency of the Office of the Secretary. The contract supports the District of Columbia's local economy through the provision of services by a local contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may have led to a higher price than a competed contract.
The sole-source nature of the award raises questions about whether alternative solutions were adequately explored.
Limited transparency into the specific performance metrics and deliverables makes it difficult to assess the full value.
The broad NAICS code could indicate a wide scope of work, potentially leading to scope creep if not managed carefully.

Positive Signals

The fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and provides budget certainty.
The award is to a single vendor, which can streamline management and communication.
The contract duration of one year allows for focused support and evaluation of performance.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within government contracting, is highly competitive. Contracts for customer experience and knowledge management support fall under the broader category of IT professional services. The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' encompasses a wide array of specialized IT functions. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to modernize systems, improve citizen engagement, and enhance internal operational efficiencies. This contract represents a small portion of the overall federal IT spending, but highlights the ongoing demand for specialized support services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Tenacious Solutions LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Commerce's contracting officers and program managers within the Office of the Secretary. As a purchase order, it is a direct agreement with the vendor. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award and the absence of publicly detailed performance metrics. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Professional Services
Customer Relationship Management Systems
Knowledge Management Systems
IT Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes value assessment difficult.
Limited public information on contractor past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.0 million to TENACIOUS SOLUTIONS LLC. CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TENACIOUS SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-25. End: 2024-09-24.

What specific services are included under 'Customer Experience and Knowledge Management Support Services' for the Department of Commerce?

The provided data offers limited detail on the specific services encompassed by 'Customer Experience and Knowledge Management Support Services.' The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' suggests a broad range of IT-related activities. Typically, such contracts could include developing and implementing strategies to improve customer interactions with government services, managing and organizing internal knowledge bases, creating documentation, providing training on knowledge management tools, and potentially supporting customer service platforms. Without a detailed statement of work or contract award details, the precise scope remains undefined, making it difficult to assess the full value and performance expectations.

How does the $2.05 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for knowledge management and customer support?

Benchmarking the $2.05 million contract value requires comparing it against similar federal contracts for customer experience and knowledge management support services. Given the NAICS code 541519, which is broad, direct comparisons are challenging without more specific service details. However, for a one-year duration, this value is within the typical range for specialized IT support contracts awarded to small to medium-sized businesses. Larger, more complex, or multi-year contracts for similar services can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars. The fixed-price nature of this award suggests a defined scope, and the value should be assessed against the deliverables outlined in the purchase order, which are not publicly detailed here.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for taxpayer money due to the absence of competition. Without multiple vendors bidding, the government may not achieve the lowest possible price or the most innovative solutions. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor may not be the most qualified or cost-effective option available in the market. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of strategic planning or market research, potentially leading to reliance on a single provider and limiting future flexibility. Transparency is also reduced, making it harder to justify the expenditure to the public.

What is the track record of Tenacious Solutions LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly in IT services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Tenacious Solutions LLC in performing federal contracts, especially within IT services, is not provided in the initial data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on federal awards. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their experience, reliability, and capability to successfully execute the customer experience and knowledge management support services. Further due diligence, including searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS, would be necessary to evaluate their past performance.

How does the $2.05 million spending on customer experience and knowledge management support fit into the Department of Commerce's overall IT budget?

The provided data does not include the Department of Commerce's overall IT budget, making it impossible to determine how this $2.05 million contract fits into the larger financial picture. To assess this, one would need to compare this award against the total allocated funds for IT services and operational support within the Department of Commerce for the relevant fiscal year. Understanding the proportion this contract represents can help evaluate its significance and whether it aligns with broader departmental priorities and spending patterns. Without this context, it's difficult to judge if this expenditure is a major investment or a minor allocation.

What are the performance expectations and metrics for Tenacious Solutions LLC under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the performance expectations or metrics for Tenacious Solutions LLC under this contract. As a purchase order for 'Customer Experience and Knowledge Management Support Services,' it is expected that a statement of work (SOW) or similar document would define key performance indicators (KPIs), deliverables, and quality standards. These metrics are crucial for evaluating the contractor's success and ensuring the government receives the intended value. Without access to the SOW or performance reports, assessing the effectiveness of the services and the contractor's performance is not possible.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 200 N GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,048,897

Exercised Options: $2,048,897

Current Obligation: $2,048,897

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline