NSF Awards $2.48M for IT Program Management Support to Raye IT Consulting LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,484,832 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Raye IT Consulting LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2024-02-08

End Date: 2027-02-07

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NSF IT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $2.5 million to RAYE IT CONSULTING LLC for work described as: NSF IT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Raye IT Consulting LLC for IT Program Management Support. 2. The contract is a definitive contract with a labor hours pricing structure. 3. Awarded by the National Science Foundation, this contract is for administrative management and general management consulting services. 4. The contract duration is 1095 days, ending in February 2027.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract uses a labor hours pricing structure, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The benchmark of $2,269 per hour appears high for standard IT program management support services.

Cost Per Unit: $2,269/hour

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these IT program management support services.

Public Impact

Citizens may be paying a premium due to the sole-source nature of the contract. The NSF relies on this support for its IT program management, impacting its operational efficiency. Transparency in how Raye IT Consulting LLC's hourly rate was determined is limited.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
High hourly rate benchmark
Labor hours pricing structure

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical IT program management functions for NSF.

Sector Analysis

The IT consulting sector is highly competitive, making the sole-source award for administrative management and general management consulting services notable. Benchmarks for similar IT program management support contracts vary widely, but the reported hourly rate is on the higher end.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business. The NSF did not leverage small business participation in this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The lack of competition raises questions about oversight and accountability in the procurement process. Further review of the justification for a sole-source award is warranted.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
National Science Foundation Contracting
National Science Foundation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award.
High hourly rate benchmark.
Lack of small business participation.
Limited transparency in pricing justification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $2.5 million to RAYE IT CONSULTING LLC. NSF IT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RAYE IT CONSULTING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-08. End: 2027-02-07.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and how does it align with NSF's procurement policies?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of available sources. Without specific details from NSF, it's difficult to assess alignment. However, sole-source awards generally bypass competitive processes, potentially limiting price discovery and value for taxpayers. A thorough review of the justification document is necessary to understand the rationale and ensure it adheres to federal acquisition regulations and NSF's internal policies.

How does the $2,269 per hour benchmark compare to industry standards for similar IT program management support services, considering the specific requirements of the NSF?

The benchmark of $2,269 per hour for IT program management support is significantly higher than typical industry rates for general consulting services. While specialized expertise or unique project demands can justify higher rates, this figure warrants scrutiny. A detailed comparison against market research, similar government contracts, and the specific skill sets and experience required for NSF's IT program management would be needed to determine if this rate represents fair and reasonable pricing.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure effective performance and cost control given the labor hours pricing structure and sole-source award?

With a labor hours contract and a sole-source award, robust oversight is crucial. Mechanisms should include detailed task orders with clear deliverables, regular performance reviews, independent government cost estimates, and strict monitoring of hours worked. The contracting officer's representative (COR) plays a vital role in managing the contractor's performance and ensuring that the services provided are necessary and align with the contract's objectives, thereby controlling costs and ensuring value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 108 PAINTED ROCK CT, GARNER, NC, 27529

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,330,298

Exercised Options: $4,171,370

Current Obligation: $2,484,832

Actual Outlays: $2,168,361

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline