GSA awards $17.4M engineering services contract to Karthik Consulting LLC, with 10 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,394,330 ($17.4M)

Contractor: Karthik Consulting LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-07-09

End Date: 2026-01-08

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DCO S AGILE RELEASE TEAMS

Place of Performance

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

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $17.4 million to KARTHIK CONSULTING LLC for work described as: DCO S AGILE RELEASE TEAMS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope and duration. 2. Strong competition with 10 bidders suggests fair market pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years, indicating a long-term need. 5. Engineering services sector is critical for federal infrastructure and operations. 6. Performance is tracked under the Federal Acquisition Service. 7. Contract awarded under a firm-fixed-price structure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $17.4 million over approximately six years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar engineering services contracts within the GSA or other agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, locking in costs and reducing the risk of unexpected increases. Without specific details on the services rendered, a precise value comparison is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award implies a market-driven price.

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 a broad solicitation process. The receipt of 10 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and a competitive marketplace for these engineering services. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a greater likelihood that the government receives the best value. The exclusion of sources clause might indicate specific pre-qualification criteria were met by the bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple firms vied to offer their services at the most attractive price point.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring specialized engineering expertise will benefit from the services provided. The contract supports the delivery of essential engineering solutions for government projects. Services are likely to have a national impact, supporting federal infrastructure and operational needs. The contract supports skilled engineering jobs within the private sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly, given the multi-year duration.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical engineering services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring consistent quality across all task orders will require diligent oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Strong competition at award suggests a well-defined requirement and market responsiveness.
The contractor, Karthik Consulting LLC, is being evaluated for performance.
Contract duration aligns with potential long-term project needs.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a vital component of the federal procurement landscape, encompassing a wide range of specialized technical expertise. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services category, which consistently represents a significant portion of federal spending. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of supporting government requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large engineering services contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, and GSA itself.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Therefore, the primary focus is on full and open competition. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The absence of a set-aside means that large businesses are eligible to compete and potentially win, which could limit direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are part of a larger team or subcontracting effort.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the contracting officers and program managers within the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Engineering and Technical Support Services
GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds 5 years.
Potential for undefined scope in multi-year engineering projects.
Requires diligent performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $17.4 million to KARTHIK CONSULTING LLC. DCO S AGILE RELEASE TEAMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KARTHIK CONSULTING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-07-09. End: 2026-01-08.

What is the specific nature of the engineering services being provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Engineering Services' (NAICS code 541330) awarded to Karthik Consulting LLC by the General Services Administration (GSA). However, the specific sub-disciplines or types of engineering work (e.g., civil, mechanical, electrical, software) are not detailed in the summary data. Further analysis of the contract's statement of work (SOW) or task orders would be necessary to understand the precise services rendered. These services could range from design and analysis to consulting and project management, supporting various federal infrastructure or technology initiatives.

How does the awarded amount of $17.4 million compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by GSA in the past year?

To compare the $17.4 million award, one would need to analyze GSA's contract spending data for engineering services over the last fiscal year. This would involve filtering for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541330) and potentially similar contract types (e.g., firm-fixed-price). The average contract value, median contract value, and the range of awarded amounts would provide context. If $17.4 million falls within the typical range for large, multi-year engineering support contracts, it suggests the award is in line with market norms. Conversely, if it's significantly higher or lower, it might warrant further investigation into the scope or pricing.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Karthik Consulting LLC's performance on this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for engineering services contracts, KPIs would be defined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). These might include metrics related to on-time delivery of milestones, adherence to budget (if applicable to specific phases), quality of deliverables (e.g., accuracy of designs, completeness of reports), responsiveness to government requests, and overall client satisfaction. The GSA's contract administration processes would involve monitoring these KPIs throughout the contract's performance period.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services under the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS)?

Analyzing historical spending for engineering services within GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) would require accessing GSA's procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts categorized under relevant NAICS codes (like 541330) and tracking the total obligated amounts annually. Trends could reveal whether spending in this category is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. Understanding these patterns helps in forecasting future needs and budget allocations, and contextualizes the current $17.4 million award within a broader spending trajectory for GSA's engineering support requirements.

Are there any specific risks associated with Karthik Consulting LLC's track record or the nature of this engineering contract?

Without access to Karthik Consulting LLC's detailed performance history on previous government contracts (e.g., past performance evaluations, CPARS reports), it's difficult to assess specific risks related to the contractor. However, general risks for engineering services contracts include potential delays in project completion, technical challenges requiring scope adjustments, cost overruns (less likely with FFP but possible if not well-defined), and ensuring the contractor maintains adequate staffing and expertise throughout the contract duration. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type suggests a potentially complex procurement, which might introduce administrative or compliance risks if not managed meticulously.

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: ID08200019

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3120 FAIRVIEW PARK DR STE 800, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,901,046

Exercised Options: $17,724,279

Current Obligation: $17,394,330

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D1087

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline