Department of Labor awards $3.9M contract for retirement lost and found database to PTG-WEBFIRST LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,896,158 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Ptg-Webfirst LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2025-09-28

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (EBSA) RETIREMENT LOST AND FOUND DATABASE.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20210

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $3.9 million to PTG-WEBFIRST LLC for work described as: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (EBSA) RETIREMENT LOST AND FOUND DATABASE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on computer systems design services for a critical retirement lost and found database. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. Performance period spans two years, suggesting a need for sustained development and maintenance. 4. The award value of approximately $3.9 million is a key data point for understanding the investment. 5. This contract supports the Employee Benefits Security Administration's mission to safeguard retirement assets. 6. The geographic location of performance is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.9 million for a two-year period for a specialized database system appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar government IT contracts for database development and maintenance suggests this falls within expected cost ranges. The specific nature of the 'lost and found' database for retirement assets implies unique requirements that may justify the investment. Further analysis would require comparing specific deliverables and service levels to similar contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This procurement method suggests that while the initial solicitation might have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a competitive process where multiple qualified vendors could bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method implies a degree of competition was sought and achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and solutions, potentially leading to a more cost-effective outcome compared to sole-source awards.

Public Impact

Benefits individuals seeking to locate lost or forgotten retirement accounts. Delivers a crucial database system for managing and searching retirement asset information. Primarily impacts individuals with retirement savings in the United States. Supports the Department of Labor's oversight and protection of employee benefits. Enhances the ability of beneficiaries to access their rightful retirement funds.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements for the 'lost and found' database evolve significantly.
Dependence on contractor expertise for maintaining the integrity and security of sensitive retirement data.
Risk of vendor lock-in if the system becomes highly specialized and difficult to transition.

Positive Signals

Contract supports a vital public service aimed at reuniting individuals with their retirement savings.
The use of full and open competition suggests a commitment to achieving best value.
The two-year duration allows for stable development and implementation of the database.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant segment of the federal IT market. The market for government IT services is vast, with agencies continually investing in systems to manage data, improve services, and enhance efficiency. This specific contract addresses a niche but important area within the broader financial services and benefits administration domain, requiring specialized database development and management capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract award. This suggests the contract was likely awarded to a larger entity or that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were not explicitly mandated or detailed in this award notice. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM), which awarded the contract. Standard government contract oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring, financial reviews, and potentially audits by the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, would apply. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

EBSA Retirement Lost and Found
Department of Labor IT Modernization
Federal Benefits Administration Systems
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) Enforcement

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Data security and privacy risks associated with managing sensitive retirement information.
Dependence on contractor for specialized system development and maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $3.9 million to PTG-WEBFIRST LLC. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (EBSA) RETIREMENT LOST AND FOUND DATABASE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PTG-WEBFIRST LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2025-09-28.

What is the specific functionality and scope of the 'lost and found' retirement database being developed?

The 'lost and found' retirement database, managed by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), aims to help individuals locate lost or forgotten retirement accounts. While the provided data doesn't detail the exact functionalities, such a system typically involves aggregating data from various sources (e.g., plan administrators, PBGC), allowing users to search for dormant accounts, and facilitating the reunification of beneficiaries with their assets. The scope likely includes data ingestion, search algorithms, user interface development, and robust security measures to protect sensitive financial information. The contract's focus on 'Computer Systems Design Services' suggests the development and potentially ongoing maintenance and enhancement of this complex system.

How does the $3.9 million award compare to historical spending on similar EBSA database initiatives?

Without specific historical data on EBSA's spending for comparable database initiatives, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the $3.9 million award over two years for a specialized system like a retirement lost and found database can be considered a moderate investment in the context of federal IT projects. Larger, more complex federal IT systems can cost tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. This contract's value suggests a focused effort on a specific, albeit important, function. To provide a precise benchmark, one would need to identify previous EBSA projects with similar objectives and scope, analyze their contract values, and adjust for inflation and evolving technological requirements.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for PTG-WEBFIRST LLC under this contract?

The provided award data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for PTG-WEBFIRST LLC. However, for a contract focused on 'Computer Systems Design Services' for a 'Retirement Lost and Found Database,' typical KPIs would likely include system uptime and availability, database performance (e.g., query response times), data accuracy and integrity, successful data ingestion rates, security compliance (e.g., number of security incidents), user satisfaction (if applicable), and timely delivery of milestones and deliverables. The contract's 'labor hours' (pt: LABOR HOURS) pricing structure suggests that performance might also be monitored through efficient labor utilization and adherence to estimated effort.

What is the track record of PTG-WEBFIRST LLC in delivering similar government IT contracts?

Information regarding PTG-WEBFIRST LLC's specific track record in delivering similar government IT contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving database development, system design, and management of sensitive information. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) repositories would offer insights into their project history, client agencies, contract values, and any performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. Understanding their experience with EBSA or similar benefit-administration systems would be particularly relevant.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method for this contract?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method, while aiming for competition, introduces specific considerations. The 'exclusion of sources' implies that certain potential bidders were intentionally excluded prior to the main competition phase, possibly due to specific technical requirements, past performance issues, or other pre-defined criteria. While the subsequent 'full and open' phase allows remaining qualified vendors to compete, the initial exclusion could limit the overall pool of bidders. Risks include potentially overlooking highly capable vendors who were excluded, or if the exclusion criteria were not sufficiently justified, it could lead to protests. For taxpayers, the primary risk is that the reduced competition might lead to less aggressive pricing or innovation compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1605TA-23-Q-00051

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13227 EXECUTIVE PARK TER, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20874

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,290,407

Exercised Options: $4,088,207

Current Obligation: $3,896,158

Actual Outlays: $3,698,932

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB22D0599

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline