Interior's National Park Service awards $17.6K BPA Call for software project, highlighting IT infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,583 ($17.6K)

Contractor: Solution Guidance Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2028-03-25

Contract Duration: 724 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CALL ORDER IS TO ADD THE FOLLOWING PROJECT TO THE PROJECT TEAMS SOFTWARE: LAKE 324894 - ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP. SEE ATTACHED CALL ORDER REQUEST.

Place of Performance

Location: LAKEWOOD, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80228

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $17,583.03 to SOLUTION GUIDANCE CORPORATION for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS CALL ORDER IS TO ADD THE FOLLOWING PROJECT TO THE PROJECT TEAMS SOFTWARE: LAKE 324894 - ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP. SEE ATTACHED CALL ORDER REQUEST. Key points: 1. Contract value is minimal, suggesting a focused scope or initial phase for the software project. 2. Competition was conducted under SAP, indicating a streamlined process for smaller procurements. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for this specific task order. 4. The project supports IT infrastructure, aligning with the National Park Service's digital modernization efforts. 5. The contractor, Solution Guidance Corporation, is a new awardee for this specific task. 6. The duration of 724 days suggests a phased implementation or ongoing support for the software.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17,583.03 is very low, making direct comparison to larger IT contracts difficult. However, for a task order of this size, the fixed-price structure is appropriate and suggests a well-defined scope. The value appears reasonable for adding a specific project to existing software, likely covering licensing, configuration, or initial development.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and a less formal solicitation process than full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed for procurements below certain thresholds, aiming for efficiency. The limited competition may result in less aggressive pricing compared to a broader solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can mean faster delivery of needed services but potentially at a slightly higher cost than if a wider net were cast for bids.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely internal National Park Service staff who will utilize the new software project. The service delivered is the addition of a specific project, 'ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP', to existing software. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Interior's operational areas, potentially supporting park management. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving IT specialists for software integration and potentially end-users for training.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may not yield the best possible price for taxpayers.
Scope creep is a potential risk if the 'ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP' project requirements are not clearly defined.
Integration challenges with existing software systems could arise if not properly managed.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this task order.
The project supports the National Park Service's operational needs, potentially improving efficiency.
The contractor, Solution Guidance Corporation, is tasked with delivering a specific IT solution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on software development and management. The market for IT services supporting government agencies is vast, with numerous providers. This particular award is a small task order under a larger BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement), indicating it's part of a pre-negotiated framework for ongoing IT support needs. Comparable spending benchmarks for such task orders vary widely based on complexity, but this value is on the lower end.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus is on fulfilling the requirement through the most capable vendor. There are no explicit subcontracting implications detailed for this specific task order, but the BPA under which it was awarded might have broader small business subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Park Service's contracting officers and program managers. As a task order under a BPA, the overarching BPA likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

National Park Service IT Modernization Initiatives
Department of the Interior Software Development Contracts
BPA Call Orders for IT Services
Computer Facilities Management Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
Scope definition for 'ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP' project is not detailed.
Contractor's performance history on this specific BPA is nascent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $17,583.03 to SOLUTION GUIDANCE CORPORATION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS CALL ORDER IS TO ADD THE FOLLOWING PROJECT TO THE PROJECT TEAMS SOFTWARE: LAKE 324894 - ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP. SEE ATTACHED CALL ORDER REQUEST.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOLUTION GUIDANCE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17,583.03.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2028-03-25.

What is the specific nature of the 'ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP' project being added to the software?

The provided data indicates that the purpose of this call order is to add the 'LAKE 324894 - ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP' project to existing software. Without further documentation (like the attached call order request mentioned), the precise functionality or objective of this project remains unclear. It could range from a new module for managing park facilities, a data tracking system for a specific location, or an enhancement to an existing park management application. The 'LAKE 324894' designation suggests it is an internal project identifier within the National Park Service's system, likely linked to a specific park or operational area.

How does Solution Guidance Corporation's pricing compare to market rates for similar IT services?

Given the very low contract value of $17,583.03, it is challenging to establish a direct pricing benchmark against broader market rates for IT services. This amount likely covers a specific, limited scope of work, such as software configuration, minor development, or integration support. Without knowing the exact deliverables, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for a task order of this size, the fixed-price nature suggests the government sought cost certainty. If this represents a standard hourly rate multiplied by estimated hours, it would need to be compared against prevailing rates for similar skill sets (e.g., software developers, IT support specialists) in the relevant geographic or federal contracting market.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include scope creep, where the requirements for the 'ECHO BAY LAUNCH RAMP' project expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to potential cost increases or delays, although the fixed-price nature mitigates direct cost overrun. Another risk is the successful integration of the new project into the existing software infrastructure, which could face technical challenges. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear statement of work (SOW) within the call order request, defined acceptance criteria, and active project management by the National Park Service. The short duration and low value also inherently limit the overall risk exposure.

What is the historical spending pattern with Solution Guidance Corporation for similar IT services?

The provided data represents a single, specific BPA call order awarded to Solution Guidance Corporation. Therefore, there is no historical spending pattern available from this data alone to analyze. To assess historical spending, one would need to examine the contractor's award history across all federal agencies and contract types, looking for patterns in the types of services provided, contract values, and agencies served. This single award suggests either a new relationship or a specific, small-scale engagement under a broader BPA.

How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation impact the overall value and efficiency of this procurement?

Competing under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) is designed for procurements below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). This means the process is less formal and typically faster than full and open competition. For a contract valued at $17,583.03, using SAP is appropriate and likely enhances efficiency by reducing administrative burden and time-to-award. While it may involve fewer bidders than a large-scale competition, potentially limiting price negotiation leverage, the efficiency gains are often considered a worthwhile trade-off for smaller procurements like this one, ensuring timely delivery of needed IT support.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140P2026F0062

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14291 PARK MEADOW DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,583

Exercised Options: $17,583

Current Obligation: $17,583

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140P2023A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline