GSA awards $23.2M contract for command staff support to Credence Management Solutions, highlighting R&D services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,188,494 ($23.2M)

Contractor: Credence Management Solutions Limited Liability Company

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-05-20

End Date: 2026-05-19

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: COMMAND STAFF SUPPORT (CSS)

Place of Performance

Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $23.2 million to CREDENCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY for work described as: COMMAND STAFF SUPPORT (CSS) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized research and development services, indicating a need for advanced technical expertise. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. A delivery order structure implies flexibility in service needs over the contract's duration. 4. The contract's value is moderate within the context of federal R&D spending. 5. Performance is concentrated in California, a hub for technology and research. 6. The contractor, Credence Management Solutions, will provide critical command staff support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.2 million over two years appears reasonable for specialized R&D support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for command staff support and R&D services is necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the fixed fee component suggests a degree of cost control. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money judgment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award provides some assurance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were likely solicited and evaluated. The presence of four bidders suggests a healthy competitive environment for these specialized services. This level of competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovation among offerors.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring command staff support and advanced research and development capabilities will benefit from these services. The contract will deliver specialized R&D services, contributing to advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is primarily focused on California, a key state for federal contracting and R&D activities. The contract supports a workforce skilled in research, engineering, and management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'command staff support' is not clearly delineated.
Reliance on a single delivery order could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
The fixed-fee structure might disincentivize cost-saving innovations by the contractor.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
The contract duration of two years allows for sustained support and relationship building.
The specific NAICS code (541715) points to a specialized and high-demand area of R&D.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, excluding nanotechnology and biotechnology. This sector is a significant area of federal spending, driven by national security, scientific advancement, and economic competitiveness. The General Services Administration (GSA) often facilitates these types of contracts to provide specialized support to various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within agency-specific R&D budgets and contracts for similar scientific and technical services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. The primary focus appears to be on larger, established firms capable of providing specialized R&D services. Opportunities for small businesses would likely be through prime contractors if they choose to subcontract, which is not explicitly detailed in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Acquisition Service, which awarded the contract. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal R&D Spending
Command and Control Systems Support
Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
General Services Administration Contracts
Research and Development Services

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Scope Creep Potential
Performance Uncertainty
Contractor Capability Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $23.2 million to CREDENCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. COMMAND STAFF SUPPORT (CSS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREDENCE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-20. End: 2026-05-19.

What is the track record of Credence Management Solutions Limited Liability Company with federal contracts, particularly in R&D and command staff support?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Credence Management Solutions LLC's track record. Key indicators would include the number and value of previous federal contracts, past performance ratings, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and experience specifically within the R&D and command staff support domains. Understanding their performance on similar contracts, especially those with cost-plus-fixed-fee structures, would provide insight into their ability to manage costs and deliver on complex requirements. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise for this particular award.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to other federal contracts for similar R&D services?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common in federal R&D where the scope of work can be uncertain or evolve. This structure allows the government to reimburse the contractor for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF can offer more flexibility for evolving R&D projects but may carry a higher risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Benchmarking this contract's fee against similar R&D CPFF awards would reveal if the profit margin is within market norms. The government's oversight and cost accounting standards are crucial for controlling expenditures under CPFF arrangements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Primary risks include potential cost overruns due to the CPFF structure, scope creep if requirements are not well-defined, and performance issues if the contractor lacks the necessary expertise. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, detailed performance work statements, regular progress reviews, and clear communication channels. The competitive award process itself mitigates some risk by selecting a vendor presumed to have the capability. The fixed fee component also provides a ceiling on the contractor's profit, incentivizing them to manage costs within expectations. The contract duration and delivery order mechanism allow for phased implementation and review.

How effective is the General Services Administration (GSA) in managing R&D contracts of this nature to ensure value for taxpayers?

GSA's Federal Acquisition Service is experienced in managing a wide range of federal contracts, including R&D services. Their effectiveness hinges on established procurement processes, contract administration expertise, and robust oversight mechanisms. GSA utilizes various contract types and performance-based metrics to ensure value. For R&D contracts, GSA often leverages specialized contracting officers and technical experts to monitor progress and ensure compliance. The competitive nature of awards facilitated by GSA generally promotes price efficiency. However, continuous monitoring and performance evaluation are critical to ensure that R&D investments yield the intended scientific and programmatic outcomes for the government.

What is the historical spending trend for command staff support and R&D services by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending trends for GSA in command staff support and R&D requires accessing detailed federal procurement databases. Generally, federal spending in R&D has seen fluctuations based on national priorities, economic conditions, and agency budgets. GSA's role as a service provider means their spending in these areas is often in response to specific agency needs. Trends might show an increasing demand for specialized technical support and advanced research as agencies modernize and face complex challenges. Understanding GSA's specific budget allocations and contracting patterns for these service categories over the past 5-10 years would provide valuable context for this $23.2 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFPA24R0001

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8609 WESTWOOD CENTER DR STE 300, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $198,290,721

Exercised Options: $69,726,522

Current Obligation: $23,188,494

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD19D6001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline