GSA awards $9.2M contract for FICAM SME Support, with 2 prior orders and a 4-year performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,201,846 ($9.2M)

Contractor: Electrosoft Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-06-16

End Date: 2026-06-15

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: FICAM SME SUPPORT SERVICES, PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE BASE 6/16/2022 - 6/15/2023 AND FOUR OPTIONS 6/16/2023 - 6/15/2027.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $9.2 million to ELECTROSOFT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: FICAM SME SUPPORT SERVICES, PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE BASE 6/16/2022 - 6/15/2023 AND FOUR OPTIONS 6/16/2023 - 6/15/2027. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. Performance period extends over four years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contractor, Electrosoft Services, LLC, has secured this delivery order from GSA. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 points to computer systems design services. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying larger firms were likely participants. 7. The base period runs for one year, with four one-year option periods.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value is $9.2 million over a maximum of four years. Without specific benchmarks for FICAM SME support services, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. Time and Materials contracts inherently carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts, as the final cost is not predetermined. The General Services Administration (GSA) is generally experienced in managing such contracts, but ongoing vigilance is required.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two prior orders suggests a history of engagement, but the number of bidders for this specific delivery order is not provided. Full and open competition is generally expected to yield competitive pricing, but the specific pricing structure (Time and Materials) requires careful monitoring.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing inherent in full and open competition. However, the Time and Materials pricing model necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and do not escalate beyond initial expectations.

Public Impact

The contract supports FICAM (Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management) SME (Subject Matter Expert) services, crucial for federal IT security and identity management. Beneficiaries include federal agencies relying on secure identity and access solutions. The services delivered are likely to enhance the security posture and operational efficiency of federal systems. The contract is geographically focused on the District of Columbia (DC), indicating a concentration of federal IT support needs in that area. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT security and identity management professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific bidder count for this delivery order limits assessment of competitive intensity.
Geographic concentration in DC might indicate limited opportunities for businesses outside this region.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and accessible process.
Long performance period indicates a sustained need and potential for stable work.
Contract supports critical federal IT security functions (FICAM).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant part of the federal IT services market. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, particularly for cybersecurity, identity management, and cloud integration. Spending in this sector is driven by the need to modernize legacy systems, enhance security, and comply with various federal mandates. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar IT support services, especially those related to identity and access management.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by the 'sb': false field. This suggests that the competition was open to all eligible firms, including large businesses. While there are no direct subcontracting requirements explicitly stated for small businesses in the provided data, the absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation may be limited unless they are prime contractors on other related efforts or are subcontracted by the prime. The focus on larger firms in this procurement could impact the broader small business IT ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. As a large federal agency, GSA has established procurement and contract management processes. Oversight mechanisms would typically include regular performance reviews, invoice auditing, and adherence to the terms of the Time and Materials contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would fall under the GSA's Office of Inspector General, which investigates fraud, waste, and abuse in GSA programs and contracts.

Related Government Programs

Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (FICAM) initiatives
IT Security Services
Computer Systems Design Services
General Services Administration IT Procurement
Delivery Orders under IDIQs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring for cost control.
Potential for scope creep in complex IT support services.
Geographic concentration may limit broader market participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $9.2 million to ELECTROSOFT SERVICES, LLC. FICAM SME SUPPORT SERVICES, PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE BASE 6/16/2022 - 6/15/2023 AND FOUR OPTIONS 6/16/2023 - 6/15/2027.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELECTROSOFT SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Office of Administrative Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-16. End: 2026-06-15.

What is the track record of Electrosoft Services, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Electrosoft Services, LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, particularly in areas related to IT security, identity management, and access control. Their portfolio often includes work with agencies like GSA, DHS, and others requiring specialized cybersecurity expertise. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, including contract values, performance ratings, and any past performance issues or awards, would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability for this FICAM SME Support Services contract. Specific details on past performance metrics for this contractor would be found in federal procurement databases and agency performance assessment reports.

How does the $9.2 million total contract value compare to similar FICAM SME support contracts?

Benchmarking the $9.2 million total contract value requires comparing it against similar FICAM SME support contracts awarded by federal agencies. This involves identifying contracts with comparable scope, duration, and service requirements. Factors such as the number of subject matter experts required, the complexity of the FICAM implementation or maintenance, and the specific deliverables would influence the price. Without access to a detailed market analysis or a database of comparable contract values for FICAM SME support, a precise comparison is challenging. However, $9.2 million over four years suggests a moderate-sized contract, averaging around $2.3 million annually, which is within the typical range for specialized IT support services.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for FICAM SME Support Services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if project timelines extend unexpectedly, the total cost can escalate beyond initial estimates. This necessitates robust government oversight to monitor labor hours, ensure efficiency, and validate the necessity of all expenditures. Without diligent management, T&M contracts can become significantly more expensive than anticipated, impacting the overall value for money.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized IT services like FICAM SME support?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing, as it allows all responsible sources to participate. This broad participation increases the likelihood of receiving multiple bids, which drives down prices through market forces. For specialized IT services like FICAM SME support, where expertise is critical, full and open competition ensures that a wide range of qualified contractors can vie for the work. However, the effectiveness is also dependent on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the actual number and quality of bids received. If the solicitation is poorly defined or the market for such specialized skills is limited, even full and open competition might not yield the most optimal pricing.

What is the historical spending trend for FICAM SME support services by the GSA or similar agencies?

Analyzing historical spending trends for FICAM SME support services by the GSA and other relevant agencies is crucial for understanding market dynamics and setting realistic budget expectations. This involves examining past contract awards for similar services, noting the total obligated amounts, contract durations, and the number of contractors involved. Trends might reveal increasing or decreasing demand for these specialized services, shifts in pricing, or consolidation among contractors. For instance, a rising trend in spending could indicate growing government reliance on FICAM solutions, while a stable or declining trend might suggest mature implementations or budget constraints. Specific historical data would be available through federal procurement databases.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the broader cybersecurity and identity management market?

This contract, supporting FICAM SME services, has implications for the broader cybersecurity and identity management market by signaling continued government investment in these critical areas. It highlights the demand for specialized expertise in areas like identity governance, access control, and credential management, which are foundational to federal cybersecurity. The award to Electrosoft Services, LLC, contributes to the market presence of contractors focused on these niches. Furthermore, the contract's duration and value can influence market capacity and competition, potentially encouraging other firms to develop or enhance their capabilities in FICAM-related services to compete for future opportunities.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47HAA022Q0068

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Electrosoft Services LLC

Address: 1893 METRO CENTER DR, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,871,969

Exercised Options: $9,201,846

Current Obligation: $9,201,846

Actual Outlays: $4,942,407

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA18D00L8

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline