FCC awards $24.6M for IT infrastructure support, with 5 bidders competing for a 2.5-year contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,613,821 ($24.6M)

Contractor: Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Federal Communications Commission

Start Date: 2023-06-01

End Date: 2025-10-31

Contract Duration: 883 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: OPERATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES (OISS)

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20191

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Communications Commission obligated $24.6 million to EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: OPERATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES (OISS) Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of IT infrastructure support. 2. Strong competition among 5 bidders suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. Performance period of over two years allows for sustained operational support. 5. The contractor, Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting. 6. This contract supports essential operational infrastructure for the FCC.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.6 million over approximately 2.5 years for IT infrastructure support services is within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts awarded by agencies of similar size and scope would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Firm Fixed Price contract type is generally favorable for the government as it caps costs.

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,' indicating a broad solicitation process. With five bidders participating, the level of competition is considered healthy, suggesting that multiple firms were interested and capable of performing the required services. This level of competition typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive offers for essential IT infrastructure support.

Public Impact

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefits from enhanced and reliable IT infrastructure. Services include operational infrastructure support, crucial for the FCC's daily functions. The contract's geographic impact is primarily within the FCC's operational locations, likely Washington D.C. and potentially other field offices. Workforce implications include the potential for job creation or utilization by the prime contractor and any subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contractor is a relatively new entity in federal contracting, raising questions about past performance and stability.
The specific details of the 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition type warrant further investigation to ensure no undue restrictions were placed on potential bidders.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market reach.
Firm Fixed Price contract type aligns with government objectives for cost control.
Contract duration allows for stable support of critical IT infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related support. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their operational infrastructure. This contract represents a typical expenditure for an agency like the FCC to ensure the smooth functioning of its technological backbone. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing IT support contracts across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Federal Communications Commission. Accountability measures are embedded in the Firm Fixed Price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

IT Operations and Maintenance
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal IT Infrastructure Modernization
Agency IT Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor's limited federal contracting history
Potential for performance issues due to contractor's experience level
Need for detailed understanding of 'Exclusion of Sources' justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Communications Commission awarded $24.6 million to EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC. OPERATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES (OISS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communications Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2025-10-31.

What is the track record of Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly those involving operational infrastructure support?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC is a relatively new entity in the federal contracting space. As of the award date of this contract (June 1, 2023), there is limited publicly available information regarding their extensive track record with large-scale operational infrastructure support services. While they may have prior experience, the depth and breadth of this experience, especially in managing contracts of this magnitude ($24.6 million), would need further investigation through sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or direct inquiries to the agency's contracting office to fully assess their capabilities and past performance.

How does the awarded price of $24.6 million compare to similar IT infrastructure support contracts awarded by the FCC or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $24.6 million award requires comparing it against contracts with similar scope, duration (approximately 2.5 years), and service complexity (operational infrastructure support). Given the limited public data on specific contract line item pricing, a direct comparison is challenging. However, for an agency like the FCC, this value appears within a reasonable range for comprehensive IT support. Larger agencies might award higher dollar amounts for similar services due to scale, while smaller agencies might award less. The competitive nature of the award (5 bidders) suggests the price was likely vetted against market rates, providing some assurance of value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. However, for an 'Operational Infrastructure Support Services' contract, typical KPIs would likely include system uptime percentages, response times for issue resolution, successful implementation of upgrades, and adherence to security protocols. Performance measurement would generally be conducted by the FCC's contracting officer's representative (COR) through regular progress reports, site visits, and potentially automated system monitoring tools. The Firm Fixed Price nature of the contract implies that meeting these defined performance standards is crucial for the contractor to receive full payment.

What is the potential risk associated with the contractor being a less established entity in federal contracting?

The primary risk associated with a less established federal contractor like Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC is the potential for unproven performance and execution capabilities on a contract of this size and importance. This could manifest as delays in service delivery, lower quality of work, financial instability impacting operations, or difficulties in scaling resources as needed. To mitigate this, the FCC likely conducted thorough due diligence during the pre-award phase, potentially reviewing any available past performance data, financial stability assessments, and technical capabilities. Robust oversight and clear communication channels throughout the contract lifecycle are also critical to managing these risks.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' classification impact the overall fairness and competitiveness of the procurement process?

The classification 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests that while the procurement was broadly advertised, certain specific sources or types of sources were intentionally excluded from consideration. This is typically done for specific, justifiable reasons, such as national security, standardization requirements, or unique capabilities. The impact on fairness and competitiveness depends heavily on the justification for the exclusion. If the exclusions were narrowly tailored and well-documented, it could still result in robust competition among the remaining eligible sources. However, if the exclusions were overly broad or lacked clear justification, it could limit competition and potentially lead to less favorable pricing or innovation for the government.

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 - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 273FCC23R0009

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12020 SUNRISE VALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,637,821

Exercised Options: $24,633,896

Current Obligation: $24,613,821

Actual Outlays: $24,613,821

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCH18D0016

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline