Interior's $4M IT Help Desk Contract Awarded to NUAXIS LLC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,073,022 ($4.1M)

Contractor: Nuaxis LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-03-25

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,832 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: CO-HQ IRTM ACIO-ENTERPRISE SERVICE HELP DESK

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22041

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.1 million to NUAXIS LLC for work described as: CO-HQ IRTM ACIO-ENTERPRISE SERVICE HELP DESK Key points: 1. Contract value of $4.07 million over five years. 2. NUAXIS LLC is the sole awardee for this specific BPA Call. 3. Potential risk associated with labor hour pricing without fixed deliverables. 4. IT services sector, specifically computer-related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract uses a labor hour pricing model, which can be less predictable than fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking per-unit costs is difficult without defined service levels or deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the labor hour pricing may limit price discovery for specific outcomes.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for IT support services. The labor hour model necessitates careful monitoring to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns.

Public Impact

Ensures essential IT help desk support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Supports agency operations by maintaining critical IT infrastructure. Potential for cost fluctuations based on actual labor hours utilized.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor hour pricing model
Lack of defined deliverables

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Essential IT support

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Spending in this area is substantial across government, with benchmarks varying widely based on service scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to monitor labor hours and ensure the contractor delivers effective help desk support within the allocated budget. The BPA Call structure allows for task-specific management.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs

Risk Flags

Labor hour pricing
Potential for cost overruns
Difficulty in performance benchmarking
Lack of defined deliverables

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.1 million to NUAXIS LLC. CO-HQ IRTM ACIO-ENTERPRISE SERVICE HELP DESK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NUAXIS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-25. End: 2027-03-31.

How will the agency ensure cost-effectiveness with a labor hour pricing model for IT help desk services?

The agency will likely implement robust oversight mechanisms, including regular reviews of timesheets, performance metrics, and service level agreements (if applicable). Establishing clear communication channels and requiring detailed reporting on tasks performed will be essential to track labor utilization and identify any potential inefficiencies or scope creep, ensuring value for taxpayer money.

What are the primary risks associated with a labor hour contract for IT support?

The primary risks include potential cost overruns if labor hours exceed estimates, lack of clear deliverables leading to scope creep, and difficulty in measuring contractor performance against specific outcomes. Without fixed pricing or defined outputs, it can be challenging to ensure the agency receives the best value and that the contractor is incentivized for efficiency.

How effective is a full and open competition for IT services when using a labor hour pricing structure?

Full and open competition is effective in attracting a wide range of potential bidders and establishing a competitive baseline. However, when combined with a labor hour pricing structure, its effectiveness in ensuring optimal value is somewhat diminished. While competition drives initial pricing, the lack of defined deliverables means the ultimate cost is less predictable and harder to benchmark against competitors' fixed-price offerings.

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 - APLLICATIONS

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: 8605 WESTWOOD CENTER DR STE 300, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,073,022

Exercised Options: $4,073,022

Current Obligation: $4,073,022

Actual Outlays: $3,066,053

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140F0922A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline