Commerce awards $3.8M for remote help desk services to Progov Partners LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,808,287 ($3.8M)

Contractor: Progov Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-09-23

End Date: 2029-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,650 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CATTS REMOTE HELP DESK

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 $3.8 million to PROGOV PARTNERS LLC for work described as: CATTS REMOTE HELP DESK Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price contract type and duration. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long performance period. 4. Performance context is for essential IT support services. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, a common area for federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $3.8 million over approximately 5.5 years suggests an average annual cost of around $690,000. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently. Benchmarking against similar IT help desk contracts across federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of whether this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a reasonably competitive landscape. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions, benefiting the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of Commerce will benefit from enhanced IT support. The services delivered will ensure the smooth operation of IT systems and user assistance. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is headquartered. The contract supports the IT workforce by providing essential help desk functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 5 years) could lead to potential cost increases if market rates change significantly.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT support could pose a risk if performance degrades.
The specific details of the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type are not fully elaborated, warranting further review.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty and incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process and potentially competitive pricing.
The contract is for essential IT support services, crucial for agency operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in support functions like help desks to maintain operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts can vary widely based on scope, service level agreements, and agency size, but this award appears to be within a typical range for a departmental-level help desk function.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information about subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the services and the contractor, it is likely that Progov Partners LLC is not a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were mandated or pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Help Desk Services
Computer Related Services
IT Support Contracts
Departmental IT Operations

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on contractor performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $3.8 million to PROGOV PARTNERS LLC. CATTS REMOTE HELP DESK

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 $3.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-23. End: 2029-03-31.

What is the track record of Progov Partners LLC in performing similar federal IT support contracts?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Progov Partners LLC has been awarded contracts for various IT services, including help desk support and IT management. While specific performance details for past contracts are not publicly available in detail, the company has a history of receiving federal awards. Analyzing past contract performance ratings, if accessible, would provide a more robust assessment of their reliability and capability in delivering services comparable to this new award. The number of bids received in this current procurement could also indirectly reflect the market's perception of the contractor's capabilities relative to competitors.

How does the per-unit cost or overall pricing compare to similar IT help desk contracts awarded by the Department of Commerce or other agencies?

Benchmarking this $3.8 million contract against similar IT help desk services requires access to detailed cost breakdowns and service level agreements, which are not publicly provided. However, the average annual cost of approximately $690,000 for a departmental help desk function can be compared to industry standards and other federal contracts. Factors such as the number of users supported, hours of operation, and complexity of IT systems influence pricing. Without these specifics, a definitive comparison is difficult, but the firm-fixed-price nature and the competitive bidding process suggest an effort to achieve reasonable value. Further analysis would involve comparing the contract's scope and deliverables against publicly available data for comparable contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance degradation by the contractor over the long performance period (over 5 years), reliance on a single vendor for critical IT support, and the possibility of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price model does not adequately account for future market changes or unforeseen technical challenges. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust performance monitoring by the contracting officer's representative (COR), clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs) with penalties for non-performance, and contingency planning for service continuity. The competitive nature of the award also serves as a baseline mitigation, as the contractor is incentivized to perform well to secure future business.

How effective is the current IT help desk service likely to be, based on the contract's structure and the contractor's background?

The effectiveness of the IT help desk service under this contract will largely depend on the contractor's execution and the clarity of the performance standards outlined in the contract. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes efficiency, but effectiveness also hinges on the quality of support provided, response times, and resolution rates. Progov Partners LLC's past performance, if positive, suggests a likelihood of effective service delivery. The Department of Commerce's oversight and performance management will be critical in ensuring that the service meets the agency's needs and maintains high user satisfaction. The competitive award process implies that the selected vendor was deemed capable of meeting these requirements.

What has been the historical spending pattern for IT help desk services within the Department of Commerce?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT help desk services within the Department of Commerce would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and types of services procured. This specific $3.8 million award represents a significant investment in IT support. Understanding past expenditures can help contextualize the current contract's size and scope, identify potential areas for cost savings or consolidation, and assess whether spending has been consistent or fluctuating. Without access to detailed historical procurement data for this specific service category within Commerce, it's challenging to provide precise figures, but such analysis is crucial for strategic IT budget planning and ensuring efficient resource allocation.

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 - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

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: $6,928,807

Exercised Options: $3,808,287

Current Obligation: $3,808,287

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L523D13OS0034

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline