DOJ's $5.35M IT support contract awarded to Lightfeather IO LLC for custom programming services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,354,750 ($5.4M)

Contractor: Lightfeather IO LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2023-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $5.4 million to LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC for work described as: IT PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of IT professional support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. Potential risk indicators include the relatively short performance period and single award. 4. This contract supports critical IT functions for the U.S. Marshals Service. 5. The award falls within the broad IT professional services sector. 6. No small business set-aside was applied, indicating a focus on larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $5.35 million over three years suggests a moderate annual spend of approximately $1.78 million. Benchmarking against similar IT professional support contracts requires more granular data on specific services and labor categories. However, the pricing structure, likely based on labor hours, allows for flexibility. Without specific unit cost data or a detailed comparison to market rates for custom computer programming, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall award size seems aligned with typical federal IT support needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This typically leads to a more robust selection of qualified vendors and potentially better pricing due to market forces. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature of the solicitation suggests that multiple companies vied for this opportunity, fostering price discovery and innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for IT professional support services, potentially leading to cost savings compared to non-competitive awards.

Public Impact

Federal law enforcement agencies, specifically the U.S. Marshals Service, will benefit from enhanced IT support. Services delivered include custom computer programming and IT professional support. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the U.S. Marshals Service. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of IT professionals by Lightfeather IO LLC and potential indirect support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited transparency on the specific metrics used to evaluate technical proposals.
Potential for cost overruns if labor hour estimates are not carefully managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a strong vendor pool.
Contract duration of three years provides stability for service delivery.
Focus on custom programming indicates a need for specialized IT expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services (NAICS code 541511). The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in software development, system integration, and IT support to maintain and modernize their operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing IT support contracts across various agencies, particularly those with similar law enforcement or operational mandates. The market for these services is competitive, with a mix of large system integrators and specialized small businesses.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses explicitly stated in the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best overall technical and price proposal from any responsible source. The absence of a small business set-aside may limit direct opportunities for small businesses to participate as prime contractors on this specific award, though they might still be involved as subcontractors if Lightfeather IO LLC chooses to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Marshals Service contracting office and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, including service level agreements and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Justice IT Contracts
U.S. Marshals Service Support Services
Federal IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Contractor performance risk
Dependence on single awardee

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $5.4 million to LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC. IT PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIGHTFEATHER IO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Lightfeather IO LLC in performing similar federal IT contracts?

Assessing the track record of Lightfeather IO LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, their values, durations, and any associated performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. Understanding their history with custom computer programming and IT professional support services, particularly within law enforcement or similar government agencies, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. A lack of extensive federal contract history might indicate a newer or smaller player in the federal market, potentially carrying different risk profiles compared to established contractors. Further investigation into their financial stability and any reported issues on prior contracts would be prudent.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for custom computer programming services?

Determining the precise market rate comparison for this contract is challenging without specific details on the labor categories, skill levels, and hours involved. However, the total award of $5.35 million over three years averages to approximately $1.78 million annually. Federal procurement regulations often require agencies to conduct market research to ensure pricing is fair and reasonable. If the contract is labor-hour based, the rates negotiated would be compared against industry benchmarks for similar roles. Factors like geographic location, security clearance requirements, and the complexity of the custom programming tasks influence market rates. A comprehensive comparison would necessitate access to detailed pricing data and potentially third-party cost analysis reports.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues if Lightfeather IO LLC lacks sufficient experience or resources for the specific custom programming needs of the U.S. Marshals Service. Dependence on a single awardee for critical IT functions presents a risk if the contractor fails to meet performance expectations or experiences financial instability. Furthermore, if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates, cost overruns could occur, especially under a labor-hour contract. Ensuring adequate oversight and robust performance management by the agency is crucial to mitigate these risks. The relatively short duration of the contract (three years) also implies a need for ongoing re-competition or contract extension planning.

How effective is the U.S. Marshals Service in managing IT support contracts?

The effectiveness of the U.S. Marshals Service in managing IT support contracts can be inferred from their historical contract performance data, audit reports from the Inspector General, and overall IT system reliability. Agencies with mature procurement and program management processes tend to achieve better outcomes. Factors contributing to effectiveness include clear performance work statements, diligent oversight, timely payments, and proactive risk management. Without specific data on the Marshals Service's IT contract management performance, a definitive assessment is difficult. However, their continued operation relies on effective IT support, suggesting a baseline level of management competence.

What is the historical spending trend for IT professional support services by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Analyzing historical spending trends for IT professional support services by the U.S. Marshals Service would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal patterns in contract values, types of services procured (e.g., custom programming, help desk, cybersecurity), and the primary contractors utilized. Understanding these trends can help identify areas of increasing investment, potential consolidation or diversification of the contractor base, and overall budget allocation for IT support. Significant year-over-year increases might signal growing IT needs or new initiatives, while consistent spending could indicate stable operational requirements.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the IT services market for federal agencies?

This contract award to Lightfeather IO LLC contributes to the overall federal IT services market by fulfilling a specific need within the Department of Justice. As a full and open competition award, it signals a healthy market where multiple vendors can compete. The value of the contract ($5.35M) is moderate, suggesting it may not drastically shift market dynamics but contributes to the revenue stream of the awarded contractor. Its impact on other federal agencies is indirect, primarily by demonstrating a successful procurement approach and potentially setting a precedent for similar service needs. The success of this contract could influence future solicitations and the competitive landscape for IT professional support.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15M30023QA3700002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4201 WILSON BLVD FL 3, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,287,617

Exercised Options: $5,361,280

Current Obligation: $5,354,750

Actual Outlays: $1,495,439

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $3,633,230

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA21D000X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline