GSA Awards $15.1M Engineering Services Contract to Gauss Management for Test Evaluation Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,136,057 ($15.1M)

Contractor: Gauss Management Research and Engineering Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-01-10

End Date: 2027-01-09

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Engineering Services

Official Description: ANG AATC TEST EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES TESS

Place of Performance

Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85706

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $15.1 million to GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC for work described as: ANG AATC TEST EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES TESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Gauss Management Research and Engineering Inc. for $15.1M. 2. Services are for Test Evaluation Support (TESS) under Engineering Services. 3. Contract duration is 729 days, ending January 9, 2027. 4. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.1M for a 2-year period appears reasonable for specialized engineering support services. Benchmarking against similar GSA contracts for engineering services would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests a potentially limited competitive pool. While open, the exclusion of specific sources may impact price discovery and overall value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential engineering support services. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing competitive pricing will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Ensures continued support for critical test and evaluation activities. Supports a specific engineering services sector vital for government operations. Potential for innovation and efficiency gains through specialized contractor expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for cost overruns if pricing is not aggressively managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract allows for stable planning and execution.
Awarded by a reputable agency (GSA) with procurement expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is crucial for government research, development, and operational support. Spending benchmarks for similar engineering services contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or awards made to small businesses under this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight will focus on performance, adherence to contract terms, and ensuring value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition leading to higher costs.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting critical TESS activities.
Dependence on a single awardee for specialized engineering support.
Need for robust government oversight to ensure quality and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $15.1 million to GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC. ANG AATC TEST EVALUATION SUPPORT SERVICES TESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GAUSS MANAGEMENT RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-10. End: 2027-01-09.

What specific test and evaluation activities will this contract support, and how critical are they to agency missions?

This contract supports the Test Evaluation Support Services (TESS) program. While the exact activities are not detailed, TESS generally involves rigorous testing of systems, equipment, and technologies to ensure they meet performance, safety, and reliability standards before deployment or operational use. Their criticality lies in ensuring the effectiveness and safety of government assets.

How does the 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition method impact the potential for cost savings?

Excluding sources, even in an otherwise 'Full and Open' competition, inherently limits the number of potential bidders. This reduction in competition can lead to less aggressive pricing from the remaining bidders, potentially resulting in higher costs for the government compared to a scenario with broader participation. It suggests specific capabilities or past performance were prioritized.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the contractor delivers high-quality engineering services within the firm fixed price?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure places the cost risk on the contractor. Quality assurance will likely be managed through performance metrics, milestones, and inspections defined in the contract. The government will monitor deliverables and contractor performance against these standards to ensure quality and compliance.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFPA24R0038

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5875 S ADAMS AVE PKWY STE 2A, SOUTH OGDEN, UT, 84405

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,695,864

Exercised Options: $20,568,901

Current Obligation: $15,136,057

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D3074

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline