Commerce Dept. awards $4.3M call order for digital web services to J.R. Reingold & Associates

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,321,435 ($4.3M)

Contractor: J.R. Reingold & Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-06-06

End Date: 2026-06-23

Contract Duration: 382 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: DIGITAL WEB SERVICES CALL ORDER 0001 AGAINST THE SCDS BPA.

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $4.3 million to J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: DIGITAL WEB SERVICES CALL ORDER 0001 AGAINST THE SCDS BPA. Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the labor-hour contract type and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear task and established contractor. 4. Performance context is a call order against an existing BPA, implying prior vetting. 5. Sector positioning is within custom computer programming services, a common IT need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a call order against a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), making direct price comparisons difficult without access to the BPA's terms. However, the labor-hour nature of the contract suggests pricing is based on negotiated hourly rates. The total award amount of $4,321,435 for a duration of approximately 13 months (June 2025 to June 2026) indicates a moderate investment for digital web services. Further analysis would require benchmarking the contractor's hourly rates against industry standards for similar custom computer programming services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive environment that should theoretically drive prices towards market rates. This approach is generally favored for ensuring the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition provides taxpayers with assurance that the contract was awarded through a process designed to solicit the most competitive offers, potentially leading to cost savings.

Public Impact

The U.S. Census Bureau benefits from enhanced digital web services, crucial for data dissemination and public access. Services delivered include custom computer programming, likely supporting website functionality, data visualization, or user interface improvements. The geographic impact is national, supporting the Census Bureau's nationwide operations and public-facing digital platforms. Workforce implications may involve the contractor's personnel supporting the Census Bureau's IT infrastructure and digital outreach efforts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in labor-hour contracts if not closely managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical digital services could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded against an existing BPA, suggesting a streamlined procurement process.
Full and open competition indicates a robust vetting of potential contractors.
The contractor, J.R. Reingold & Associates, Inc., has a track record with government contracts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511). This is a significant market segment for government agencies requiring specialized software development and web-based solutions. The U.S. Census Bureau's need for such services is consistent with its mission to collect, process, and disseminate data, often requiring sophisticated digital platforms. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT services vary widely based on complexity and duration, but this award represents a moderate investment for a specific task order.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed in this award notice. Without a small business set-aside, larger businesses or those with established BPA vehicles are more likely to be primary awardees.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Census Bureau's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the labor-hour contract type, requiring detailed reporting of work performed. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Commerce IT Services
U.S. Census Bureau IT Modernization
Custom Computer Programming Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Federal Digital Services

Risk Flags

Labor Hour Contract Type
Potential for Scope Creep
Performance Monitoring Required

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $4.3 million to J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC.. DIGITAL WEB SERVICES CALL ORDER 0001 AGAINST THE SCDS BPA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is J.R. REINGOLD & ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-06. End: 2026-06-23.

What is the track record of J.R. Reingold & Associates, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for similar digital web services?

J.R. Reingold & Associates, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts. While specific details on past performance for digital web services require deeper database analysis, their presence as an awardee suggests they have met federal procurement requirements. Examining their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any awards for similar NAICS codes (like 541511), would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability. Federal procurement data often includes past performance information, which contracting officers use to assess a vendor's suitability for new awards. A review of their award history might reveal prior work with the Department of Commerce or other agencies requiring custom computer programming.

How does the estimated cost of this call order compare to similar digital web service contracts awarded by the Census Bureau or other agencies?

Benchmarking this $4.3 million call order against similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements for custom computer programming services. Factors such as contract duration (approximately 13 months), labor categories, and specific deliverables heavily influence cost. Given it's a call order against a BPA, the rates may have been negotiated previously. Without knowing the specific hourly rates or the scope of work, a precise comparison is challenging. However, for a task order of this size and duration within the IT services sector, it appears to be within a moderate range. A more thorough analysis would involve comparing the average hourly rates billed under this contract to the government-wide average for NAICS 541511.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract, considering its labor-hour structure and duration?

The primary risks associated with this labor-hour contract include potential cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates or if labor hours are not efficiently utilized. Scope creep is a common concern in labor-hour contracts, where requirements may evolve, leading to increased hours and costs. Another risk is contractor performance; if J.R. Reingold & Associates, Inc. fails to deliver the required digital web services effectively or on time, it could impact the Census Bureau's operations. Ensuring robust project management, clear communication, and regular performance reviews are crucial mitigation strategies. The relatively short duration (approx. 13 months) may mitigate some long-term risks but requires diligent oversight during its term.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring value for money for this type of IT service contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal contracting, including for IT services. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, it fosters a competitive environment that encourages vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. This broad competition increases the likelihood that the government will receive high-quality services at a fair and reasonable price. For custom computer programming services, where technical expertise and innovation are key, open competition allows the agency to evaluate a wider range of capabilities. However, the ultimate value for money also depends on the agency's ability to clearly define requirements and effectively evaluate proposals.

What are the historical spending patterns for custom computer programming services at the U.S. Census Bureau?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for custom computer programming services at the U.S. Census Bureau would require examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts awarded under NAICS code 541511 and potentially related IT service codes. Such an analysis could reveal trends in spending levels, the types of services procured, the primary contractors utilized, and the average contract values. Understanding these patterns can help contextualize the current $4.3 million call order, indicating whether it represents a typical investment or a significant deviation. It can also highlight areas where the Bureau consistently invests in IT development and modernization efforts.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1321 DUKE ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,697,662

Exercised Options: $4,697,662

Current Obligation: $4,321,435

Actual Outlays: $1,262,266

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1333LB24A00000002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline