GSA awards $29.3M for system engineering and program management to Janus Research Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,342,324 ($29.3M)

Contractor: Janus Research Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-10-02

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,189 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SYSTEM ENGINEERING, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PM TN

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $29.3 million to JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC for work described as: SYSTEM ENGINEERING, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PM TN Key points: 1. Contract provides essential engineering and program management support services. 2. The contract duration spans nearly six years, indicating a long-term need. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The agency's use of the Federal Acquisition Service indicates a centralized procurement approach. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611430 points to professional development training, which may be a component of the services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value is $29.3 million over approximately six years. Without specific benchmarks for system engineering and program management support services, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not closely managed, as it reimburses direct labor hours and costs plus a fixed fee or percentage. Comparing this to similar contracts for comparable services would be necessary for a more robust value assessment.

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 offers. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While two bidders is better than a sole-source award, a higher number of bidders typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers, potentially driving down costs through competitive pressure.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring system engineering, program management, and R&D support. Services delivered are critical for the successful execution of complex government programs. The contract is geographically focused on Maryland (MD), indicating a specific regional need. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled engineers and program managers to be engaged through Janus Research Group, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type may lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Limited competition (two bidders) might not have yielded the most cost-effective solution.
The NAICS code 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training) seems potentially misaligned with core services like system engineering and program management, requiring clarification on service scope.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a fair process.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term requirement for these critical services.
The General Services Administration (GSA) is utilizing its Federal Acquisition Service, which often implies established procurement processes and oversight.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on engineering and management support. This sector is vital for government operations, enabling agencies to manage complex projects and technological advancements. The total contract value of $29.3 million is moderate within the context of large federal IT and engineering contracts, but significant for the specific services procured. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar system engineering and program management support across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (SS=false, SB=false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Janus Research Group, LLC, is not obligated to meet small business subcontracting goals under this specific award. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this contract would likely be through direct subcontracting by Janus Research Group, LLC, rather than through a mandated set-aside program.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the contracting officers within the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. The Time and Materials nature of the contract necessitates close monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs to ensure compliance with the contract terms and prevent cost overruns. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

System Engineering Support Services
Program Management Support
Research and Development Support
Professional and Management Development Training
Federal Acquisition Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Limited competition (two bidders) may not have resulted in optimal pricing.
Ambiguity between NAICS code (training) and stated services (engineering/management).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $29.3 million to JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC. SYSTEM ENGINEERING, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PM TN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-10-02. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'system engineering, program management, research and development, and engineering support services' being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SYSTEM ENGINEERING, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PM TN'. The NAICS code listed is 611430, which pertains to 'Professional and Management Development Training'. This creates a potential ambiguity. Typically, system engineering and program management involve technical expertise, planning, execution, and oversight of complex projects, often in defense or technology sectors. Professional and management development training focuses on enhancing skills through instruction and workshops. It is crucial to understand how these two seemingly disparate areas are integrated or if the NAICS code is a broad categorization. Clarification would involve reviewing the Statement of Work (SOW) to detail the specific tasks, deliverables, and technical requirements, and to ascertain if the training aspect is a primary component or a secondary support function.

How does the $29.3 million contract value compare to similar system engineering and program management support contracts awarded by the GSA or other agencies?

Benchmarking the $29.3 million contract value requires comparing it against similar contracts for system engineering, program management, and R&D support services. The General Services Administration (GSA) procures a wide range of services, and values can vary significantly based on scope, duration, and complexity. For instance, contracts for large-scale defense system engineering or complex IT program management can reach hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, more specialized support contracts might be in the low millions. Without specific details on the 'PM TN' program and the exact nature of the services, a precise comparison is challenging. However, $29.3 million over nearly six years suggests an average annual value of approximately $5 million, which is a moderate figure for specialized federal support services. A thorough analysis would involve searching contract databases for similar services, considering factors like contractor size, agency, and specific technical requirements.

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

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, such as the one awarded to Janus Research Group, LLC, 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 used, plus a fee or profit. This structure places a greater burden on the government to closely monitor contractor performance, labor hours, and material costs to ensure that the work is efficient and that costs remain within budget. If not managed diligently, the contractor could incur more hours or higher material costs than anticipated, leading to the government paying more than originally planned. This necessitates robust oversight, clear task definitions, and regular performance reviews to mitigate these risks.

Given the 'full and open competition' and only two bidders, what does this imply about the market for these specific services?

The fact that this contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' but only attracted two bidders suggests a potentially limited or specialized market for the specific system engineering, program management, and R&D support services required for 'PM TN'. While full and open competition is the preferred method for maximizing opportunities, a low number of bids can indicate several factors: the requirement might be highly specialized, requiring unique expertise or clearances that only a few firms possess; the contract's value or duration might not be attractive enough to draw a larger pool of competitors; or there may be significant barriers to entry for potential bidders. This limited competition could mean that the government did not achieve the full benefit of competitive pricing that a larger number of bidders might have provided, potentially resulting in a higher overall cost to taxpayers than if the market were more robust.

What is Janus Research Group, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the GSA?

Janus Research Group, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts. Publicly available data indicates they have been awarded multiple contracts, primarily through the General Services Administration (GSA). Their contract portfolio appears to span various service categories, including professional services, IT support, and potentially training or management consulting, aligning with the NAICS code provided. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine the performance history of their past contracts, looking for indicators such as on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of work, and any past performance issues or disputes. Information on contract modifications, task order values, and the agencies they have served would also provide a clearer picture of their experience and capabilities in fulfilling government requirements.

How does the geographic focus on Maryland (MD) impact the contract's implications?

The 'ST': 'MD' and 'SN': 'MARYLAND' designations indicate that the contract's primary performance location or administrative base is within Maryland. This has several implications. Firstly, it suggests that the 'PM TN' program or the relevant GSA office is likely located in Maryland, necessitating on-site or geographically proximate support. Secondly, it influences the potential labor pool from which Janus Research Group, LLC can draw, likely tapping into the skilled workforce available in the Maryland region, which is known for its concentration of federal agencies and government contractors. Thirdly, it may have implications for local economic impact, with contract funds potentially flowing into the Maryland economy through salaries, vendor payments, and local spending by the contractor and its employees.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

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: ID02200006

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 600 PONDER PLACE DR, EVANS, GA, 30809

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,217,305

Exercised Options: $35,207,305

Current Obligation: $29,342,324

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 40

Total Subaward Amount: $9,001,903

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F310CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline