Noblis, Inc. Awarded $8.3M Engineering Services Contract by GSA for Dcgs Legacy Application Engineering

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,307,653 ($8.3M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-06-03

End Date: 2024-06-02

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: DCGS LEGACY APPLICATION ENGINEERING

Place of Performance

Location: WARNER ROBINS, HOUSTON County, GEORGIA, 31098

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8.3 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: DCGS LEGACY APPLICATION ENGINEERING Key points: 1. Contract value of $8.3M for engineering services represents a moderate investment in application maintenance. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The use of Time and Materials pricing introduces potential cost escalation risks if not closely managed. 4. The contract duration of 730 days allows for sustained support but requires ongoing performance monitoring. 5. The award falls under engineering services (NAICS 541330), a common category for federal IT and defense support. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating a focus on larger, established firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.3 million for two years of engineering services appears within a reasonable range for specialized application support. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure warrants careful scrutiny. Without detailed labor categories and rates, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts definitively. The absence of a fixed price or capped T&M could lead to costs exceeding initial expectations if not managed diligently. Further analysis of the specific engineering tasks and the contractor's historical performance on similar T&M contracts would be beneficial for a more precise 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 bids. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific engineering services requirement. While competition is generally positive for price discovery, the actual number of bidders can vary significantly based on the specialized nature of the work and the market for such services. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it generally drives down costs through a wider pool of potential offerors vying for the contract. This increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair and reasonable price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely government agencies relying on the DCGS LEGACY APPLICATION ENGINEERING system for critical operations. The services delivered will focus on maintaining and potentially enhancing the functionality of legacy applications. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational sphere of the contracting agency, likely supporting federal IT infrastructure. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized engineering talent to support the legacy system, potentially benefiting skilled professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively, as it lacks a fixed price ceiling.
The focus on 'legacy' applications suggests potential technical debt and the need for specialized, possibly scarce, skill sets.
The contract value, while substantial, may not be sufficient for major system overhauls, potentially leading to ongoing maintenance challenges.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract duration of two years provides stability for essential application support.
NOBLIS, INC. is a known entity in government contracting, suggesting a degree of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a broad category encompassing a wide range of technical consulting and design services for government and industry. The federal market for engineering services is substantial, with significant spending allocated to IT modernization, defense systems, and infrastructure projects. This particular award appears to be focused on the maintenance and support of existing government IT applications, a common and ongoing requirement across various federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for application engineering, legacy system support, and IT maintenance services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by `ss: false` and `sb: false`. This suggests that the requirement was likely deemed to be beyond the scope or capability of small business set-asides, or that the competition was open to all eligible firms regardless of size. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this specific award. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation would likely arise through prime contractor subcontracting, if NOBLIS, INC. chooses to engage them, rather than through a direct government mandate.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) nature necessitates robust oversight to monitor labor hours, rates, and expenditures to ensure cost control and prevent overruns. Accountability measures will likely involve performance reviews, deliverable tracking, and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

IT Application Maintenance Services
Legacy System Support Contracts
Engineering and Technical Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Contracts
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Support

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure carries inherent cost escalation risk.
Reliance on 'legacy' applications may indicate technical debt and potential for obsolescence.
Availability of specialized skills for legacy systems could be a challenge.
Potential for security vulnerabilities in older application systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8.3 million to NOBLIS, INC.. DCGS LEGACY APPLICATION ENGINEERING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-03. End: 2024-06-02.

What is the historical spending pattern for DCGS LEGACY APPLICATION ENGINEERING services by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending for 'DCGS LEGACY APPLICATION ENGINEERING' specifically by the GSA requires access to detailed federal procurement databases. However, general trends in federal IT spending indicate a consistent allocation towards maintaining and modernizing legacy systems. Agencies often dedicate significant portions of their IT budgets to sustain existing infrastructure while simultaneously investing in new technologies. The GSA, as a major procurement vehicle, facilitates numerous contracts for such services across various departments. Without specific historical data for this exact service name and agency, it's challenging to provide precise figures. However, it is reasonable to assume that similar engineering and application support contracts have been awarded over the years, reflecting the ongoing need to manage and update government IT assets.

How does the awarded amount of $8.3 million compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the GSA in the past two years?

Comparing the $8.3 million award to similar engineering services contracts by the GSA requires a benchmark of contracts with comparable NAICS codes (e.g., 541330) and service descriptions (application engineering, legacy system support) over the last two years. Federal procurement data indicates that contracts for specialized engineering and IT support can range widely in value, from tens of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on scope, duration, and complexity. An $8.3 million contract for a two-year period for application engineering suggests a mid-tier award. It is not exceptionally large, nor is it insignificant, indicating a focused scope of work. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to filter procurement data for contracts with similar characteristics and analyze their award values and durations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) typically used to evaluate the success of Time and Materials (T&M) engineering contracts like this one?

For Time and Materials (T&M) engineering contracts, key performance indicators (KPIs) often focus on efficiency, quality, and adherence to scope, given the flexible pricing structure. Common KPIs include: **On-Time Delivery:** Measuring the percentage of tasks or milestones completed by their deadlines. **Quality of Deliverables:** Assessed through metrics like defect rates, rework required, or customer satisfaction surveys related to the engineering outputs. **Labor Hour Utilization:** Monitoring how effectively billed hours translate into productive work, ensuring efficiency and preventing overstaffing or inefficient processes. **Cost Control (within T&M context):** While T&M doesn't have a fixed price, KPIs can track adherence to estimated labor hours for specific tasks and the effective management of the overall expenditure against the contract ceiling. **Technical Performance:** Evaluating whether the engineering solutions meet specified technical requirements and performance standards. **Customer Satisfaction:** Direct feedback from the government client on the contractor's performance, responsiveness, and overall support.

What is NOBLIS, INC.'s track record with GSA contracts, particularly those involving engineering or IT services?

NOBLIS, INC. has a significant track record with the General Services Administration (GSA) and other federal agencies, often securing contracts related to scientific, engineering, and technical services. Their portfolio typically includes support for IT systems, research and development, and program management. Examining publicly available contract award data reveals numerous awards to NOBLIS, INC. across various GSA schedules and contract vehicles. Their performance history with GSA generally indicates a capability to manage and execute complex government contracts. Specific details on past performance for similar engineering services, including client feedback and any past performance issues, would typically be available through government performance assessment tools or past performance questionnaires during the bidding process for new contracts.

What are the potential risks associated with supporting 'legacy' applications, and how might they impact this contract?

Supporting 'legacy' applications presents several inherent risks that can impact contracts like this one. Firstly, **technical obsolescence** is a major concern; older systems may rely on outdated hardware, software, or programming languages that are difficult to find expertise for or integrate with modern systems. This can lead to **skill scarcity**, where qualified personnel with experience in these legacy technologies are rare and expensive. **Documentation gaps** are also common, making it challenging to understand the system's architecture and dependencies, increasing the risk of errors during maintenance or modification. **Security vulnerabilities** are another significant risk, as legacy systems may not have been designed with modern security threats in mind, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. For this contract, these risks could translate into **higher labor costs** due to specialized skills, **longer development/maintenance cycles**, **increased potential for system failures or security breaches**, and **difficulties in meeting evolving operational requirements**.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type influence the government's ability to control costs for engineering services?

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type offers flexibility but presents challenges for cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. For the government, cost control hinges heavily on **robust oversight and administration**. This includes diligently monitoring labor hours, verifying the necessity and reasonableness of those hours, ensuring that the hourly rates are fair and competitive, and scrutinizing material costs. Agencies must establish clear ceilings or limits on total T&M expenditures and implement strict reporting requirements. Without proactive management, T&M contracts can lead to cost overruns because the contractor is incentivized to bill for more hours, and the final cost is not predetermined. Therefore, effective contract administration and performance monitoring are crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: 47QFNA22R0002

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2002 EDMUND HALLEY DRIVE, RESTON, VA, 20191

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,955,868

Exercised Options: $8,310,628

Current Obligation: $8,307,653

Actual Outlays: $-1,910

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $220,946

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU143

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline