Nsf's $92.5M IT Infrastructure Support Contract Awarded to by Light Professional IT Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $92,538,411 ($92.5M)

Contractor: BY Light Professional IT Services LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2020-01-01

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 2,525 days

Daily Burn Rate: $36.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT (ITIS)

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $92.5 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC for work described as: IT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT (ITIS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $92.5M over its period of performance. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting market availability. 3. Potential risk associated with Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. IT Infrastructure Support falls under Computer Systems Design Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar IT infrastructure support contracts is difficult without detailed task breakdowns and labor rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, but the T&M nature of the award requires diligent oversight to ensure fair pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for IT infrastructure support, with the potential for cost efficiencies through competitive bidding, though T&M pricing necessitates careful monitoring to prevent overspending.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and maintenance of critical IT systems for the National Science Foundation. Supports scientific research and data management by providing reliable technological infrastructure. Potential for cost fluctuations due to the Time and Materials contract type.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing
Lack of specific unit cost benchmarks
Potential for scope creep

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Long-term contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. Spending benchmarks for IT infrastructure support can vary widely based on agency size, complexity of systems, and service level agreements. Agencies often spend significant portions of their IT budgets on maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

While awarded through full and open competition, the prime contractor is BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. Information regarding small business subcontracting participation is not provided in the data, which is a key area for oversight.

Oversight & Accountability

The National Science Foundation is the contracting agency. Oversight will be critical to manage the Time and Materials aspects of the contract, ensuring that costs remain reasonable and that the services delivered meet the defined requirements effectively.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
National Science Foundation Contracting
National Science Foundation Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure
Lack of detailed cost breakdown
Potential for cost overruns
Limited visibility into small business subcontracting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $92.5 million to BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC. IT INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT (ITIS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $92.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-01-01. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the estimated total cost per labor hour or equivalent unit for this Time and Materials contract, and how does it compare to industry averages for similar IT infrastructure support services?

The provided data does not include specific labor rates or unit costs, making a direct comparison to industry averages impossible. Time and Materials contracts are inherently variable. To assess value, a detailed analysis of the awarded rates against benchmarks for comparable roles (e.g., system administrators, network engineers) and the total hours expended would be necessary.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure in this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risk of T&M is the potential for cost escalation due to undefined scope or inefficient labor utilization, leading to higher-than-expected expenditures. Mitigation strategies typically involve establishing ceiling prices, requiring detailed timesheets and justifications for hours worked, and implementing robust performance monitoring to ensure productivity and prevent scope creep.

How effectively does this contract support the National Science Foundation's mission objectives, particularly in enabling scientific research and data management?

The contract's effectiveness hinges on the reliability and performance of the IT infrastructure it supports. Assuming BY LIGHT PROFESSIONAL IT SERVICES LLC delivers robust support, it indirectly enables NSF's mission by ensuring seamless operation of research computing, data storage, and communication systems, which are crucial for modern scientific endeavors.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8484 WESTPARK DR STE 600, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $107,410,583

Exercised Options: $93,335,775

Current Obligation: $92,538,411

Actual Outlays: $58,647,414

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0020

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline