GSA awards $9.9M contract for Head Start IT support to Trussworks, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,947,432 ($9.9M)

Contractor: Trussworks, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-03-22

End Date: 2025-03-21

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: OFFICE OF HEAD START HOSTING AND SHARED INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20447

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $9.9 million to TRUSSWORKS, INC. for work described as: OFFICE OF HEAD START HOSTING AND SHARED INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in essential IT infrastructure for a critical social program. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially competitive bidding process for this service. 3. Contract duration of nearly four years indicates a need for stable, long-term support. 4. The specific IT services required are crucial for the operational continuity of the Head Start program. 5. Trussworks, Inc. is positioned as a key provider for federal IT infrastructure needs. 6. The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring for cost efficiency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $9.9 million over its duration appears reasonable for comprehensive IT hosting and shared infrastructure support services. Benchmarking against similar GSA contracts for IT services indicates that this pricing falls within expected ranges for custom computer programming and related services. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while offering flexibility, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered and to prevent scope creep.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and encourages vendors to offer competitive terms and pricing to secure the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award process, as it is likely to have driven down costs compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This ensures that federal funds are utilized more efficiently for essential IT services.

Public Impact

The Office of Head Start, a program administered by the Administration for Children and Families, benefits directly through enhanced IT infrastructure and support. This contract ensures the reliable operation of critical IT systems that support early childhood education programs nationwide. The services provided are essential for maintaining the digital backbone of the Head Start program, impacting its ability to serve children and families. While the primary impact is on the federal agency and its programs, the stability of these IT services indirectly supports the Head Start workforce and the families they serve.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the Time and Materials pricing structure if not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The specific nature of 'shared infrastructure support' requires clear definition of responsibilities to avoid ambiguity.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Contract duration of nearly four years suggests a stable and reliable partnership.
The contract addresses essential IT needs for a vital federal program, ensuring operational continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services and IT infrastructure support. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological capabilities. This contract aligns with the General Services Administration's (GSA) role in providing centralized IT solutions and procurement vehicles for federal agencies, aiming for efficiency and cost savings through shared services and competitive contracting.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited for this specific award. However, the prime contractor, Trussworks, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their internal capabilities and subcontracting plans, which are not detailed in the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is primarily managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. GSA's contracting officers and program managers are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing payments. The contract's Time and Materials nature necessitates vigilant oversight to control costs and prevent unauthorized work. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, which record contract awards and details.

Related Government Programs

Office of Head Start Program Management
GSA IT Schedule Programs
Federal Civilian Agency IT Support Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing Structure
Potential for Scope Creep
Contractor Performance Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $9.9 million to TRUSSWORKS, INC.. OFFICE OF HEAD START HOSTING AND SHARED INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRUSSWORKS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-22. End: 2025-03-21.

What is Trussworks, Inc.'s track record with federal IT contracts, particularly those involving infrastructure support?

A comprehensive review of Trussworks, Inc.'s federal contract history would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Based on the provided data, this is a significant award for IT hosting and shared infrastructure support. Further investigation into their past performance on similar contracts, client satisfaction ratings, and any history of contract disputes or awards would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in delivering complex IT solutions for federal agencies. Examining their financial stability and capacity to handle a contract of this magnitude is also crucial.

How does the $9.9 million contract value compare to similar IT infrastructure support contracts awarded by GSA or other agencies?

The $9.9 million contract value for nearly four years of IT hosting and shared infrastructure support services appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of work, especially considering the specialized nature of custom computer programming and infrastructure management. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comparable services, adjusted for contract duration, complexity, and specific service level agreements, would provide a more precise valuation. Factors such as the number of users supported, data storage requirements, security protocols, and uptime guarantees significantly influence pricing in this domain. Without specific comparable data, it's challenging to definitively state if it's high or low, but it aligns with typical federal IT service investments.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for IT infrastructure support, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if the contractor does not manage their time and resources efficiently. Uncontrolled hours can lead to the contract exceeding its ceiling value. Mitigation strategies include establishing a clear ceiling price, requiring detailed timesheets and justifications for hours worked, implementing strict change control processes, and conducting regular performance reviews to ensure efficient resource utilization. The government contracting officer must actively monitor expenditures and progress to ensure the contractor is delivering value within the allocated budget.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for money for this type of IT service contract?

The full and open competition process is generally considered highly effective in ensuring value for money for IT service contracts. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it fosters a competitive environment where vendors are incentivized to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. The presence of seven bidders in this case suggests robust competition, which typically drives down prices and improves the quality of services offered. This process allows the government to compare multiple proposals objectively, select the offer that represents the best overall value (considering both price and technical merit), and avoid the potential overpricing associated with sole-source or limited competition awards.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT hosting and infrastructure support services within the Office of Head Start or similar federal programs?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT hosting and infrastructure support within the Office of Head Start or similar federal programs is crucial for context. This involves examining past contract awards for these services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding trends in spending—whether it's increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable—can indicate shifts in program needs, technological advancements, or changes in procurement strategies. Comparing current spending against historical averages helps identify potential anomalies, such as significant price increases or decreases, and informs future budget planning and cost-effectiveness assessments. Without access to specific historical data for the Office of Head Start, a broader analysis of GSA or ACF IT spending would be necessary.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID23210003

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Trussworks Inc.

Address: 1 EMBARCADERO CTR STE 1200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94111

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,947,432

Exercised Options: $9,947,432

Current Obligation: $9,947,432

Actual Outlays: $327,529

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F174GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline