Interior Dept. Awards $4.4M for Disability Info Services to Blackfish Federal
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,434,466 ($4.4M)
Contractor: Blackfish Federal, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-02-28
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 1,096 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NARIC - FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING INFORMATION SERVICES IN DISABILITY, INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND REHABILITATION TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS SUCH INFORMATION.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $4.4 million to BLACKFISH FEDERAL, LLC for work described as: NARIC - FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING INFORMATION SERVICES IN DISABILITY, INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND REHABILITATION TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS SUCH INFORMATION. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Blackfish Federal, LLC for computer systems design services. 2. The contract aims to provide information services in disability, independent living, and rehabilitation. 3. The award is for a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 4. The contract duration is 1096 days, ending February 28, 2027.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $4.4M over three years appears reasonable for specialized information services. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts is difficult without more specific scope details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract is listed as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a limited competition approach. This may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a fully competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential information services. The limited competition raises questions about achieving the best possible value for the investment.
Public Impact
Enhances access to critical information for individuals with disabilities and those involved in rehabilitation. Supports the Department of the Interior's mission to serve diverse populations. Potential for improved service delivery through specialized IT solutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about cost-effectiveness.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for information services.
- Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under IT services, specifically computer systems design. The benchmark for IT services varies widely based on complexity and specialization, but $4.4M for a three-year information service contract is within a common range for niche government IT support.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Blackfish Federal, LLC. Information regarding whether this company is a small business is not provided, nor is there an indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status suggests a need for robust justification and oversight to ensure the limited competition was appropriate and that the pricing is fair. The Department of the Interior is responsible for ensuring accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of performance metrics
- Unclear justification for sole-source/limited award
- Potential for non-competitive pricing
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-the-interior, dc, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $4.4 million to BLACKFISH FEDERAL, LLC. NARIC - FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING INFORMATION SERVICES IN DISABILITY, INDEPENDENT LIVING, AND REHABILITATION TO ANYONE WHO NEEDS SUCH INFORMATION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLACKFISH FEDERAL, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $4.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-02-28. End: 2027-02-28.
What specific performance metrics are in place to measure the effectiveness and value of the information services provided by Blackfish Federal?
The provided data does not detail specific performance metrics. Effective oversight would require clearly defined deliverables, service level agreements, and regular performance reviews to ensure the contractor meets the stated objectives for providing information services in disability, independent living, and rehabilitation.
What is the justification for limiting competition on this contract, and how was the pricing determined to be fair and reasonable?
The data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. A thorough justification for this limitation, likely based on unique capabilities or specific circumstances, should be documented by the Department of the Interior. Price reasonableness would typically be assessed through cost analysis or comparison to market data, though details are absent here.
How will the effectiveness of these information services be evaluated to ensure they meet the needs of the target audience?
Evaluation of effectiveness would likely involve user feedback mechanisms, tracking of information requests and fulfillment rates, and assessment of the quality and accessibility of the provided resources. The Department of the Interior should establish a clear framework for monitoring user satisfaction and the impact of the services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 140D0424Q0217
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1750 TYSONS BLVD, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,434,466
Exercised Options: $4,434,466
Current Obligation: $4,434,466
Actual Outlays: $2,879,083
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-02-28
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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