NSF awards $2.4M IT support contract to SOLIEL LLC for computer systems design

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,431,737 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Soliel LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2024-05-28

End Date: 2027-05-27

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 25

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ETAP IT SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $2.4 million to SOLIEL LLC for work described as: ETAP IT SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a 3-year IT support service agreement. 2. Full and open competition suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract duration of 3 years allows for stable service delivery. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. SOLIEL LLC is a new awardee for this type of service. 6. The contract is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ or similar vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.43 million over three years for IT support services is within a reasonable range for this type of engagement. Benchmarking against similar contracts for computer systems design services (NAICS 541512) of comparable duration and scope would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the contractor can deliver within the agreed-upon price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which should lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings for the government. The exclusion of sources clause might warrant further investigation to understand its specific implications.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through competitive bidding, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation (NSF) will benefit from enhanced IT support services. Services include computer systems design and related support. The contract is geographically located in Virginia. This contract supports the operational efficiency of the NSF's IT infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause requires further clarification on its impact.
Limited historical data on SOLIEL LLC's performance in similar contracts.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type aligns incentives for contractor efficiency.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
The contract duration allows for sustained service delivery and knowledge retention.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design services (NAICS 541512). The IT services market is highly competitive and dynamic, with numerous providers offering a wide range of solutions. The National Science Foundation, as a government agency, relies heavily on IT infrastructure to support its research and administrative functions. This contract represents a portion of the government's overall spending on IT support, which is crucial for maintaining operational capabilities and advancing scientific endeavors.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, SOLIEL LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting mechanisms. The Inspector General's office for the NSF would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

IT Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
National Science Foundation Contracts
Federal IT Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources' clause.
Contractor's track record with federal IT support services is not detailed.
Performance metrics and specific deliverables are not fully detailed in the summary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $2.4 million to SOLIEL LLC. ETAP IT SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOLIEL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-28. End: 2027-05-27.

What is the track record of SOLIEL LLC in performing federal IT support contracts?

Based on the provided data, SOLIEL LLC is a new awardee for this specific IT support services contract. There is no readily available historical data within this snippet to assess their track record with the federal government for similar services. Further investigation into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to determine if SOLIEL LLC has prior experience with federal contracts, their past performance ratings, and the types of services they have previously provided. Understanding their past performance is crucial for assessing the risk associated with this new award.

How does the contract value of $2.43 million compare to similar IT support contracts?

The contract value of approximately $2.43 million over three years for IT support services is a moderate amount. To benchmark this value effectively, it would be necessary to compare it against similar contracts awarded by the National Science Foundation or other federal agencies for computer systems design services (NAICS 541512) with comparable scope, duration, and complexity. Factors such as the specific services required (e.g., help desk, network management, cybersecurity), the level of expertise needed, and the geographic location can influence pricing. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or questionable value, but it appears reasonable on its face for a three-year term.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract award?

Key risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues from a potentially less experienced contractor (SOLIEL LLC, based on this being a new award in the data), the possibility of cost overruns if the fixed-price contract is not well-defined or managed, and the inherent risks of relying on external IT support for critical infrastructure. The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition type also presents a potential risk if it unduly limited competition, potentially leading to a higher price than a truly open competition might have yielded. Ensuring clear performance standards and robust oversight will be critical to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements. While 'full and open' suggests an intention to solicit widely, the 'exclusion of sources' clause indicates that certain potential bidders were intentionally not considered. The effectiveness in ensuring value for taxpayers hinges on the justification for excluding sources. If the exclusion was based on legitimate technical requirements or past performance issues with specific vendors, it could still lead to competitive pricing among the remaining eligible sources. However, if the exclusion was arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could limit competition and potentially increase costs for taxpayers. A thorough review of the justification for exclusion is needed for a definitive assessment.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT support services at the National Science Foundation?

The provided data snippet does not offer historical spending patterns for IT support services at the National Science Foundation. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services (NAICS 541512) over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, the number of awards, the types of contractors utilized (e.g., large vs. small businesses, incumbent vs. new contractors), and the overall budget allocated to IT support. Understanding historical spending can help contextualize the current $2.43 million award and identify any significant deviations or patterns.

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 - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 25

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10170 JUNCTION DR STE 130, ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD, 20701

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, 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: $4,024,123

Exercised Options: $2,431,737

Current Obligation: $2,431,737

Actual Outlays: $1,326,530

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB22D0045

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline