Interior's $2.2M TRACS System Support Contract Awarded to Konlag Emerging Technologies LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,225,730 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Koniag Emerging Technologies LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-06-10

End Date: 2026-06-10

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FWS OFFICE OF CONSERVATION INVESTMENT - TRACS SYSTEM SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: COMMERCE CITY, ADAMS County, COLORADO, 80022

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.2 million to KONIAG EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: FWS OFFICE OF CONSERVATION INVESTMENT - TRACS SYSTEM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential IT support for conservation investments. 2. Awarded via a non-competitive process, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Duration of one year with a potential for extension. 4. The contract's value is modest within the broader IT services landscape. 5. Performance is tied to the critical TRACS system for conservation funding. 6. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs. 7. No small business set-aside noted, impacting smaller enterprise opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2.2 million for one year of IT support appears reasonable for specialized system maintenance. However, without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates or similar contracts to definitively assess value for money. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the necessary specialized skills, security clearances, or proprietary knowledge. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to solicit multiple bids and potentially secure a lower price through a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive pressure. The government's justification for the sole-source award needs to be robust to ensure funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from continued support of the TRACS system. This system is crucial for managing and tracking conservation investments. The contract ensures the operational integrity of a key federal IT system. Geographic impact is national, supporting conservation efforts across the U.S.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price negotiation and potential savings.
Sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of market research or vendor diversification.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical system support poses a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
The contractor has a specific focus on emerging technologies, potentially bringing relevant expertise.
The contract duration is relatively short, allowing for future reassessment of competition.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a segment of the broader IT services industry. This sector is characterized by a wide range of services, from custom software development to IT support and consulting. The market size for government IT services is substantial, with agencies continually seeking to modernize and maintain their systems. This specific contract supports a niche but critical function within the Department of the Interior's conservation mission.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited. The focus is on a specialized IT service that may be more readily provided by larger or more specialized firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, likely through a contracting officer's representative (COR). The fixed-price nature of the award provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling cost. Transparency is dependent on the agency's reporting practices and the public availability of contract details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Support Services
Conservation Program Management Systems
Department of the Interior IT Contracts
USFWS Systems Maintenance

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of small business participation.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical system support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.2 million to KONIAG EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES LLC. FWS OFFICE OF CONSERVATION INVESTMENT - TRACS SYSTEM SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KONIAG EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 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 $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-10. End: 2026-06-10.

What is the track record of Konlag Emerging Technologies LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of the Interior?

Information regarding Konlag Emerging Technologies LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of the Interior, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to analyze past performance, contract values, and agency satisfaction ratings. Understanding their history with similar IT support services, particularly for conservation-related systems, would be crucial for assessing their capability and reliability for this TRACS system support contract. Without this historical data, the assessment relies heavily on the justification for the sole-source award.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar IT support services for federal systems?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $2.2 million contract against similar IT support services for federal systems is challenging without access to competitive bid data or publicly available cost breakdowns. The 'Computer Systems Design Services' (NAICS 541512) category encompasses a wide array of services, making direct comparisons difficult. Factors such as the specific functionalities of the TRACS system, the required skill sets of the support personnel, and the level of security clearance needed would influence pricing. Given the sole-source nature, a direct comparison to market rates or other competitively awarded contracts for similar services is not feasible with the current information.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis include potential overpayment due to the lack of competitive pricing pressure, limited opportunities for innovation from a broader market, and vendor lock-in. Taxpayers may not be receiving the best value for their money if a more competitive process could have yielded lower costs. Furthermore, relying on a single vendor for critical system support can create vulnerabilities if that vendor experiences financial difficulties, performance issues, or decides to discontinue services. The government also misses out on the potential for discovering new or more efficient solutions that might have emerged from a competitive solicitation.

How effective is the TRACS system in supporting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's conservation investment goals?

The effectiveness of the TRACS (Tracking, Accounting, and Control System) system in supporting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) conservation investment goals is central to the necessity of this contract. TRACS is designed to manage and track federal funding allocated for conservation projects, ensuring accountability and transparency in the use of these funds. Its effectiveness is measured by its ability to accurately record financial transactions, monitor project progress, and provide reliable data for reporting and decision-making. Continued support through this contract aims to maintain the system's functionality, thereby ensuring its ongoing contribution to the efficient and effective deployment of conservation resources.

What is the historical spending pattern for TRACS system support by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Historical spending patterns for TRACS system support by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are not detailed in the provided data. To understand this, one would need to analyze past contract awards for similar services related to the TRACS system over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of contractors utilized. Such historical data is crucial for assessing whether the current $2.2 million award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending for this function, and whether previous support efforts were competitively sourced or sole-source.

Are there any performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract. Typically, government contracts, especially for IT support, include detailed performance standards that the contractor must meet. These might cover aspects like system uptime, response times for technical issues, resolution times for reported problems, and data security protocols. The effectiveness of the contract is often tied to the contractor's adherence to these metrics, which are usually monitored by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Without explicit mention, it is assumed these are defined within the full contract documentation.

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 - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3800 CENTERPOINT DR, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,663,450

Exercised Options: $2,225,730

Current Obligation: $2,225,730

Actual Outlays: $1,437,451

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline