Commerce awards $2.88M for space launch frequency coordination portal services to Progov Partners LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,884,501 ($2.9M)

Contractor: Progov Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-09-12

End Date: 2026-09-11

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SPACE LAUNCH FREQUENCY COORDINATION PORTAL 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 $2.9 million to PROGOV PARTNERS LLC for work described as: SPACE LAUNCH FREQUENCY COORDINATION PORTAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized IT services supporting critical federal functions. 2. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a deliberate procurement strategy. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in if alternatives are not actively explored. 4. Performance context is tied to the essential function of coordinating space launch frequencies. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on data management and coordination platforms.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.88 million over approximately two years for specialized IT services appears to be within a reasonable range for government procurements of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for portal development and data coordination services would provide a more precise assessment, but the scope suggests a moderate investment for a critical function. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the overall value is contingent on the successful delivery and utility of the portal.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The award to Progov Partners LLC resulted from this process, with 15 bids received. This level of competition suggests a healthy market interest and provides a basis for price discovery, though the exclusion of sources warrants further examination to ensure no viable vendors were unfairly omitted.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award, with 15 bids, is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down pricing and ensured the government received competitive offers for the required services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies involved in space launch activities, ensuring efficient frequency coordination. The services delivered will support the development and maintenance of a portal for managing space launch frequency data. The geographic impact is national, as space launch activities and frequency coordination are federally regulated. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT professionals to develop, manage, and utilize the portal.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the portal becomes highly customized and difficult to transition.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure could pose risks if the vendor faces financial or operational challenges.
Ensuring data security and integrity within the new portal will be paramount.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
A competitive bidding process with 15 offers suggests a robust market and potential for good value.
The contract duration of approximately two years allows for focused development and implementation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically in the sub-category of 'Other Computer Related Services.' The market for IT services supporting government functions, particularly those involving data management, coordination, and specialized platforms like frequency management, is substantial. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar portal development, database management, and regulatory support systems, which often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars depending on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific contract, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) and 'sb' (small business) flags are false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal, unless Progov Partners LLC voluntarily engages small businesses for specific components of the work.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the Department of Commerce. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases where this award is reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Spectrum Management
Space Launch Policy
IT Services Procurement
Government Portal Development
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion criteria.
Vendor performance risk if Progov Partners LLC has limited experience with similar government portals.
Data security and integrity risks associated with a new IT portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.9 million to PROGOV PARTNERS LLC. SPACE LAUNCH FREQUENCY COORDINATION PORTAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PROGOV PARTNERS 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 $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-12. End: 2026-09-11.

What is the specific technical capability of Progov Partners LLC in developing and managing complex data coordination portals?

Progov Partners LLC's specific technical capabilities in developing and managing complex data coordination portals would need to be assessed through their past performance records, technical proposals submitted for this contract, and any relevant certifications or demonstrated expertise. While the contract award indicates they were selected, a deeper dive into their portfolio of similar projects, client testimonials, and technical team's qualifications is necessary. This includes evaluating their experience with secure data handling, user interface design for complex data sets, integration capabilities with existing government systems, and their approach to scalability and maintenance of such platforms. Without direct access to their proprietary information or detailed past performance reviews, a definitive assessment is challenging, but the selection itself implies they met the government's technical requirements at the time of award.

How does the $2.88 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for space-related IT portal services?

Comparing the $2.88 million contract value requires identifying similar federal procurements for IT portals specifically designed for space-related functions, such as frequency coordination, launch scheduling, or satellite data management. The duration of this contract (approximately two years) suggests an average annual cost of around $1.44 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts of comparable scope, complexity, and duration. Factors like the number of users, data volume, security requirements, and the level of customization significantly influence pricing. Without a direct database of comparable contracts readily available for this specific niche, it's difficult to provide an exact benchmark. However, for specialized government IT services with firm-fixed-price structures, this amount is within a plausible range for a two-year project supporting critical national functions.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure the success of the Space Launch Frequency Coordination Portal?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the Space Launch Frequency Coordination Portal would typically be defined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS) of the contract. Common KPIs for such a system might include: portal uptime and availability (e.g., 99.9% availability), data accuracy and integrity, response times for data queries and updates, user satisfaction ratings (through surveys), successful integration with other relevant systems, and adherence to security protocols. The number of successful frequency coordination events facilitated by the portal could also be a critical metric. The contracting officer and program managers will monitor these KPIs to ensure Progov Partners LLC is meeting its contractual obligations and delivering a functional, reliable, and secure portal that effectively supports the Department of Commerce's mission in space launch frequency coordination.

What is the historical spending pattern for space launch frequency coordination services within the Department of Commerce?

Analyzing the historical spending pattern for space launch frequency coordination services within the Department of Commerce requires accessing historical contract data. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for previous contracts awarded by the Department of Commerce or its relevant sub-agencies (such as NTIA) for services related to space launch frequency management, spectrum coordination, or related IT infrastructure. Understanding past spending levels, contract durations, and awarded vendors can provide context for the current $2.88 million award. For instance, if previous similar contracts were significantly smaller or larger, or if the number of vendors has changed, it could indicate shifts in market pricing, technological requirements, or agency priorities. Without specific historical data, it's presumed this contract represents a current investment aligned with contemporary needs and budget allocations for this function.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method used for this contract?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method, while intended to be competitive, carries specific risks. The primary risk lies in the 'exclusion of sources' aspect. If the criteria for exclusion are too narrow, overly restrictive, or not clearly justified, it could inadvertently limit the pool of qualified bidders, potentially leading to less competitive pricing or fewer innovative solutions. There's a risk that potentially capable vendors might be excluded based on criteria that are not essential to the contract's success. Furthermore, the justification for exclusion needs to be robust to withstand scrutiny. While it aims to streamline the process by focusing on specific types of vendors or capabilities, it requires careful management to ensure it doesn't stifle competition unfairly or lead to perceptions of impropriety. The government must demonstrate that the exclusion was necessary and served the best interests of the procurement.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1952 GALLOWS RD, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,487,123

Exercised Options: $2,884,501

Current Obligation: $2,884,501

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L523D13OS0034

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline