GSA awards $25.6M task order to Evoke Research for IT services, raising value concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,564,277 ($25.6M)

Contractor: Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-03-14

End Date: 2026-03-14

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TASK ORDER AWARD

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $25.6 million to EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER AWARD Key points: 1. The $25.6 million award to Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC for 'Other Computer Related Services' lacks clear justification for its value. 2. Competition was full and open, but the pricing mechanism (Time and Materials) can lead to cost overruns. 3. The contract duration of 1096 days (3 years) is substantial, increasing potential risk. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category. 5. Small business participation is not indicated ('sb': false).

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure, coupled with a 3-year duration, makes it difficult to assess value without detailed cost breakdowns. The benchmark of $23,325 (likely a daily or hourly rate component) needs further context against similar IT service contracts.

Cost Per Unit: $23,325 (benchmark, requires context)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is positive for price discovery. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can limit price certainty and may not incentivize cost efficiency as effectively as fixed-price contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are committed for three years. Without clear value assessment and cost controls inherent in T&M, there's a risk of overspending.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on government agencies for efficient use of tax dollars in service delivery. Transparency in contract awards helps build public trust in government spending. The broad 'Other Computer Related Services' category could encompass a wide range of activities, impacting public understanding of the services procured.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of clear value justification
Time and Materials pricing model
Long contract duration (3 years)
No indication of small business participation

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519). Spending in this area is significant across government, with benchmarks varying widely based on service type and complexity. The $25.6M value is substantial for a single task order.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates 'sb': false, meaning this contract was not awarded to a small business. This is a missed opportunity to support small business growth within the federal contracting landscape.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Evoke Research delivers services within scope and budget, especially given the T&M pricing. The General Services Administration (GSA) should monitor performance closely to mitigate risks associated with this contract type.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
Lack of detailed justification for the $25.6M award value
Long contract duration increases exposure to changing needs or market conditions
No small business participation noted
Broad service category lacks specificity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $25.6 million to EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC. TASK ORDER AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-14. End: 2026-03-14.

What specific services are included under 'Other Computer Related Services' for this $25.6 million task order, and how were the estimated costs derived to ensure value for money?

The specific services procured under NAICS 541519 are not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would require access to the task order's statement of work. The Time and Materials pricing model suggests costs are based on labor hours and direct costs incurred. Ensuring value requires comparing proposed labor rates and anticipated hours against market benchmarks and historical data for similar IT support and consulting services.

Given the Time and Materials contract type and a 3-year duration, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and mitigate the risk of budget overruns?

Time and Materials contracts inherently carry a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. Effective cost control relies on robust government oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, verification of direct costs, and adherence to pre-negotiated hourly rates. Establishing clear ceilings or limitations within the task order, regular performance reviews, and prompt identification of scope creep are essential mitigation strategies.

How does the $25.6 million award compare to typical spending for similar 'Other Computer Related Services' task orders within the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) or other agencies?

Without specific details on the services rendered, a direct comparison is challenging. However, $25.6 million for a 3-year task order in IT services is a significant investment. Benchmarking would involve analyzing the average cost per hour for similar skill sets, the total estimated hours, and the complexity of the required services against publicly available contract data for IT support and consulting within GSA FAS and other agencies.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFCA22Q0011

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $43,209,236

Exercised Options: $34,264,191

Current Obligation: $25,564,277

Actual Outlays: $6,518,473

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0076V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline