Department of the Interior awards $2.4M for O365 Admin Support to GBS Solutions Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,440,862 ($2.4M)

Contractor: GBS Solutions Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-11-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: EMAIL AND COLLABORATION /O365 ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: LAKEWOOD, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80235

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.4 million to GBS SOLUTIONS CORP for work described as: EMAIL AND COLLABORATION /O365 ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in essential IT administrative services. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. Performance period spans three years, indicating a need for sustained support. 5. The contractor, GBS Solutions Corp, is tasked with providing O365 administrative support. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 points to computer systems design services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.4 million over three years for O365 administrative support appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar IT support contracts. While specific per-unit costs are not detailed here, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a defined cost for the services. Without direct comparisons to identical O365 administrative support contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the duration and scope suggest a standard market rate is likely being applied.

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 while the competition was broad, certain sources were excluded prior to the solicitation. This suggests a deliberate selection process for potential bidders. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature implies that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to compete, which generally fosters competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition contract. The open competition encourages vendors to offer their best pricing and terms to secure the award.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of the Interior will benefit from enhanced O365 administrative support. The services delivered will ensure the smooth operation and maintenance of the O365 platform. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Interior's operational areas. Workforce implications include the potential for GBS Solutions Corp to utilize skilled IT professionals for this contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if O365 expertise is highly specialized.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical O365 administrative functions.
Ensuring continuous knowledge transfer and documentation from the contractor.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing.
Delivery order structure allows for phased implementation and management.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly cloud-based productivity suites like Microsoft 365 (O365), is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls under computer systems design services, a broad category encompassing the design, development, and implementation of IT solutions. Federal agencies increasingly rely on O365 for email, collaboration, and document management, making administrative support crucial for operational efficiency. Spending in this area is driven by the ongoing digital transformation efforts across government.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false) or be specifically targeted towards small businesses (sb=false). Therefore, the primary contractor, GBS Solutions Corp, is likely a larger entity or this was not competed as a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data, which could be a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price delivery order structure, requiring the contractor to meet defined service levels. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. The Inspector General's office for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Microsoft 365 Services
Cloud Computing Services
IT Administrative Support
Computer Systems Design Services
Departmental IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Need for clear performance metrics and oversight.
Ensuring data security and compliance with federal regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.4 million to GBS SOLUTIONS CORP. EMAIL AND COLLABORATION /O365 ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GBS SOLUTIONS CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of GBS Solutions Corp in providing similar O365 administrative support to federal agencies?

The provided data indicates GBS Solutions Corp is the contractor for this specific O365 administrative support contract with the Department of the Interior. However, it does not offer details on their broader track record, past performance on similar contracts, or client satisfaction levels with other federal agencies. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) and potentially other contract awards to gauge their experience and reliability in delivering O365 administrative services. Without this additional information, it is difficult to definitively assess their established expertise in this niche.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for O365 administrative support services?

The contract value of $2.4 million over three years for O365 administrative support is a key figure for comparison. To benchmark this against market rates, one would typically look at similar contracts awarded by other federal agencies or even large state/local governments for comparable services. Factors such as the scope of work (e.g., number of users supported, specific administrative tasks included), the level of expertise required, and the geographic location of the support can influence pricing. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award suggests a defined cost, but without detailed breakdowns of labor categories, hours, and specific service deliverables, a precise per-unit cost comparison to market rates is challenging using only the provided summary data.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this O365 administrative support contract could include vendor performance issues, such as failure to meet service level agreements, or security vulnerabilities if not managed properly. Another risk is potential over-reliance on the contractor, leading to knowledge gaps within the agency. Mitigation strategies often involve robust contract oversight, clearly defined performance metrics and penalties, regular performance reviews, and ensuring strong security protocols are in place and adhered to by the contractor. The firm-fixed-price structure itself can mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, provided the scope is well-defined and managed.

How effective is the competition level ('Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources') in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements. While 'full and open' generally promotes competitive pricing, the 'exclusion of sources' indicates that certain vendors were not permitted to bid. This could be due to pre-qualification criteria, specific security clearances, or other specialized requirements. If the exclusions were justified and based on necessary qualifications, this method can still yield good value by ensuring that the bidders are highly capable, potentially leading to better technical solutions and efficient service delivery. However, if the exclusions were overly restrictive, it could limit the competitive pool and potentially lead to higher prices than a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

What is the historical spending pattern for O365 administrative support within the Department of the Interior?

The provided data only details this specific contract award of $2.4 million over three years. It does not offer historical spending context for O365 administrative support within the Department of the Interior. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze previous contracts for similar services, including their values, durations, and awarded contractors. This would reveal trends in spending, identify potential increases or decreases in investment, and highlight any shifts in contracting strategies or vendor relationships over time for O365 support.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the broader IT services market, particularly for O365 support providers?

This contract award to GBS Solutions Corp signifies a demand for specialized O365 administrative support within the federal government. For other IT service providers, it highlights the ongoing need for expertise in managing cloud-based productivity suites. It could signal opportunities for companies that can demonstrate strong capabilities in O365 administration, security, and integration. The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' aspect suggests that agencies may be looking for vendors with specific qualifications or clearances, influencing how other companies position themselves to compete for future similar contracts. It reinforces the trend of federal agencies outsourcing specialized IT functions.

Industry Classification

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

Solicitation ID: 140D0423Q1080

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 450 S SIMMONS WAY STE 640, KAYSVILLE, UT, 84037

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,502,750

Exercised Options: $2,440,862

Current Obligation: $2,440,862

Actual Outlays: $1,722,639

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB21D0005

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline