NSF awards $4.66M for IT support to GBS Solutions Corp, a 3-year contract for computer systems design

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,659,904 ($4.7M)

Contractor: GBS Solutions Corp

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2022-07-01

End Date: 2025-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: WEBSITE AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS (TIP) DIRECTORATE

Place of Performance

Location: SYRACUSE, DAVIS County, UTAH, 84075

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $4.7 million to GBS SOLUTIONS CORP for work described as: WEBSITE AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS (TIP) DIRECTORATE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of IT support and website services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, indicating potential for future task orders. 4. Performance period of three years allows for sustained support and development. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 points to a standard IT services requirement. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.66 million over three years for IT and website support services for the NSF's TIP Directorate seems aligned with industry standards for similar engagements. Benchmarking against other government contracts for computer systems design services (NAICS 541512) suggests this pricing is within a competitive range. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while offering flexibility, requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain controlled and represent good value.

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 bidders were likely considered. The specific details of the number of bidders are not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a robust competitive process. This approach is designed to ensure the government receives the best possible offers by allowing all responsible sources to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment, driving down prices and encouraging innovation among contractors to secure the award.

Public Impact

The TIP Directorate at the National Science Foundation benefits from enhanced website and technology support, enabling its mission. Services delivered include computer systems design, crucial for maintaining and improving the directorate's technological infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within the National Science Foundation's operations, supporting its national research and innovation initiatives. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be engaged through GBS Solutions Corp to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Reliance on a single delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ could limit flexibility if needs change significantly.
The specific performance metrics and service level agreements are not detailed, making it difficult to assess performance risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing structure.
The three-year duration allows for stable and consistent support for critical IT functions.
The contract supports a key directorate (TIP) within the National Science Foundation, indicating strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design and related services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. This contract for the National Science Foundation's TIP Directorate represents a segment of that broader spending, focusing on specialized support for innovation and partnership initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other federal contracts for IT support, website development, and systems integration.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. As such, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this award. The focus appears to be on securing the required IT services through the most competitive means available, rather than specifically targeting small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the TIP Directorate. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the federal procurement data system, which makes contract awards publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

National Science Foundation IT Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal Website Development and Support
Technology and Innovation Program Support
Information Technology Management

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring to prevent cost overruns.
Potential for scope creep without adequate controls given the T&M nature.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes risk assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $4.7 million to GBS SOLUTIONS CORP. WEBSITE AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND PARTNERSHIPS (TIP) DIRECTORATE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GBS SOLUTIONS CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-01. End: 2025-06-30.

What is the track record of GBS Solutions Corp in performing similar federal IT support contracts?

Assessing the track record of GBS Solutions Corp requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving computer systems design, website support, and services for technology innovation directorates. Information on past performance can often be found in federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or through agency-specific past performance repositories. Key indicators to examine would include contract values, duration, scope of work, and any documented performance evaluations or awards. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget delivery of similar services would indicate a lower performance risk for this current National Science Foundation contract. Conversely, a pattern of cost overruns, missed deadlines, or negative performance reviews would raise concerns about their capability to meet the requirements of this $4.66 million, three-year award.

How does the awarded amount of $4.66 million compare to similar IT support contracts at the National Science Foundation or other agencies?

The $4.66 million award for three years of IT and website support services for the NSF's TIP Directorate needs to be benchmarked against comparable federal contracts. This involves looking at contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541512 - Computer Systems Design Services), scope of work (website support, technology innovation), and contract types (Time and Materials). For instance, if other agencies have awarded similar multi-year IT support contracts in the range of $1 million to $2 million annually, then this NSF contract appears to be within a reasonable range. However, if comparable contracts are significantly lower, it might suggest potential overpricing or a broader scope of work. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of this contract also warrants scrutiny, as T&M contracts can sometimes escalate in cost more rapidly than fixed-price contracts if not managed effectively. A detailed comparison would require access to specific contract data and performance metrics.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this engagement?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this IT support engagement is the potential for cost escalation beyond the initially anticipated $4.66 million. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts do not have a ceiling on the total cost, meaning the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. If GBS Solutions Corp is inefficient, mismanages resources, or if the scope of work expands without proper controls, the total expenditure could significantly exceed the estimated value. This necessitates robust oversight from the National Science Foundation to monitor labor hours, material costs, and task completion diligently. Without strict management and clear task definitions, T&M contracts can lead to unexpected cost growth and potentially represent a poorer value for taxpayers compared to a well-defined fixed-price contract.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to submit bids, it fosters a competitive environment where contractors are incentivized to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the award. For this $4.66 million IT support contract, this process likely drove GBS Solutions Corp to submit a competitive offer. However, the ultimate value for money also depends on the clarity of the solicitation requirements, the evaluation criteria used, and the effectiveness of post-award contract management. While competition sets the stage for good value, ongoing oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor delivers the required services efficiently and effectively throughout the contract's three-year duration.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support services at the National Science Foundation, and how does this contract fit within them?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT support services at the National Science Foundation (NSF) would provide context for this $4.66 million contract. This involves examining the agency's IT budget allocations over previous fiscal years, the types of IT services procured (e.g., systems design, website maintenance, cybersecurity), and the typical contract vehicles and award amounts. If the NSF has consistently spent similar amounts on IT support, this contract would appear to be in line with established patterns. Conversely, a significant deviation might warrant further investigation into the specific needs of the TIP Directorate or potential changes in the agency's IT strategy. Understanding these patterns helps assess whether this award represents a standard investment or an anomaly requiring deeper scrutiny regarding its necessity and cost-effectiveness.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Delivery Order' under a larger IDIQ contract?

This contract being a 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) signifies that it is one specific task order issued under a broader Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. IDIQs are commonly used by federal agencies to streamline the procurement of services or supplies that are expected to be needed over time but with uncertain quantities or timing. The implications are that GBS Solutions Corp was likely awarded a position on a larger IDIQ contract, and this specific delivery order represents a defined scope of work with a set value ($4.66 million) and period of performance (3 years). This structure allows the NSF flexibility to issue additional delivery orders under the same IDIQ as needed, potentially for different tasks or at different times, up to the IDIQ's overall ceiling. It also suggests that the initial competition may have occurred at the IDIQ level, with subsequent delivery orders potentially having less extensive competition, depending on the IDIQ's terms.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 450 S SIMMONS WAY STE 640, KAYSVILLE, UT, 84037

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific 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: $4,674,057

Exercised Options: $4,674,057

Current Obligation: $4,659,904

Actual Outlays: $4,321,485

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB21D0005

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline