GSA awards $5.2M engineering services task order to Janus Research Group for HSE Lighthouse

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,236,582 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Janus Research Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-02-13

End Date: 2026-02-12

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HSE LIGHTHOUSE TASK ORDER 29

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20376

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5.2 million to JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC for work described as: HSE LIGHTHOUSE TASK ORDER 29 Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in engineering services for the HSE Lighthouse program. 2. Competition dynamics for this task order are limited, potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and cost control measures. 4. The duration of one year provides a clear timeframe for service delivery. 5. The award to Janus Research Group warrants examination of their past performance and capacity. 6. Geographic concentration in Washington D.C. may indicate specific operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value-for-money for this specific task order is challenging without comparable data on similar engineering services for the HSE Lighthouse program. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined. However, the absence of a competitive bidding process raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible price. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and market rates for these specialized engineering services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source action, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially reduces the downward pressure on costs that competition typically provides. The rationale for a sole-source award should be clearly documented to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations and serves the government's best interest.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings typically achieved through competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher overall expenditure for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the agencies or programs utilizing the HSE Lighthouse services, which will receive engineering support. The services delivered will focus on engineering solutions critical to the HSE Lighthouse initiative. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, suggesting a need for on-site or localized support. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of engineers and technical staff by Janus Research Group.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and lack of innovation.
Sole-source awards require strong justification to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
The specific nature of 'HSE Lighthouse' engineering services needs further definition to assess true value.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established entity (Janus Research Group) may indicate reliability.
Task order structure allows for focused execution of specific engineering needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of government operations supporting various initiatives. The market for specialized engineering services is competitive, but task orders, especially sole-source ones, can bypass broader market dynamics. The $5.2 million award is a moderate-sized task order within this sector, and its value should be benchmarked against similar specialized engineering support contracts to ensure fair pricing.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there an indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means the primary award goes to a large business, and opportunities for small business participation through subcontracting are not explicitly mandated within this specific task order. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to negative, as it does not actively promote small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring Janus Research Group to deliver specified engineering services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is dependent on the public availability of contract details and performance reports. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts
Federal IT Support Services
HSE Program Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Need to verify contractor's past performance on similar contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5.2 million to JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC. HSE LIGHTHOUSE TASK ORDER 29

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 $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-13. End: 2026-02-12.

What is the track record of Janus Research Group with the General Services Administration?

Janus Research Group, LLC has a history of contracting with the GSA. Analyzing their past performance on similar GSA contracts, particularly those involving engineering services or support for federal programs, is crucial. This includes reviewing contract close-out data, any reported disputes or terminations, and client satisfaction feedback if available. A strong track record with GSA suggests familiarity with agency processes, compliance requirements, and a demonstrated ability to deliver on contractual obligations. Conversely, a history of performance issues could indicate potential risks for this new task order. Specific data on their prior GSA awards, values, and performance ratings would provide a more concrete assessment.

How does the $5.2 million value compare to similar engineering services task orders issued by GSA?

Benchmarking the $5.2 million value requires comparing it to similar engineering services task orders issued by the GSA, ideally within the last 1-3 years. Key comparison points include the scope of work, duration, and specific engineering disciplines involved. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable GSA task orders, it's difficult to definitively state if this value is high, low, or fair. However, given the sole-source nature, there's a heightened need to ensure this price is competitive with what could have been achieved through a broader competition. If similar, competed task orders for comparable services are significantly lower, it would suggest this award may not represent optimal value for taxpayers.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for engineering services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for engineering services include potential overpricing due to the lack of competitive pressure, reduced incentive for innovation, and a higher risk of vendor lock-in. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the government may end up paying more than necessary. Furthermore, the absence of competition can limit the exploration of alternative solutions or more cost-effective approaches that other firms might offer. There's also a risk that the selected vendor may not be the most qualified or experienced, as a full market analysis might not have been conducted. Ensuring robust contract oversight and clear performance metrics becomes even more critical in sole-source situations to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in managing costs for this engineering task order?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for well-defined scopes of work, such as engineering services, as it shifts the cost risk to the contractor. Under an FFP agreement, the contractor is obligated to complete the work for a predetermined price, regardless of their actual costs. This provides the government with cost certainty and predictability. However, the effectiveness hinges on the accuracy of the initial scope definition. If the scope is poorly defined or subject to significant changes, it can lead to costly change orders or disputes. For this task order, the FFP structure is beneficial if the engineering requirements for the HSE Lighthouse are clearly understood and unlikely to undergo substantial modification.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services by the General Services Administration?

The General Services Administration (GSA) is a significant procurer of engineering services, supporting a wide array of federal agency needs across infrastructure, IT, and specialized programs. Historical spending patterns reveal a consistent demand for these services, often through indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts and task orders. GSA's spending in this area can fluctuate based on federal infrastructure investments, modernization efforts, and specific agency requirements. Analyzing GSA's aggregate spending on engineering services (NAICS 541330) over the past several fiscal years would provide context for the $5.2 million award. This broader view helps determine if this task order represents a typical investment or an outlier, and whether overall spending trends indicate increasing or decreasing reliance on external engineering support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA25Q0041

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,572,329

Exercised Options: $5,553,537

Current Obligation: $5,236,582

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA20D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline