HUD awards $2.49M contract for data research and business support services to IT Data Consulting LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,485,666 ($2.5M)

Contractor: IT Data Consulting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Start Date: 2023-09-25

End Date: 2026-09-25

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: HUD SEEKS A CONTRACTOR WHO SHALL PROVIDE SERVICES RELATED TO RESEARCH AND BUSINESS SUPPORT TO ADMINISTER THE LARGE AMOUNTS OF DATA RECEIVED.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20410

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Housing and Urban Development obligated $2.5 million to IT DATA CONSULTING LLC for work described as: HUD SEEKS A CONTRACTOR WHO SHALL PROVIDE SERVICES RELATED TO RESEARCH AND BUSINESS SUPPORT TO ADMINISTER THE LARGE AMOUNTS OF DATA RECEIVED. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on managing significant data volumes for HUD. 2. IT Data Consulting LLC, the sole awardee, has a limited track record in this specific service area. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, indicating a clear scope and payment structure. 4. Awarded under non-competitive procedures, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market alternatives. 5. The duration of the contract is three years, suggesting a need for sustained support. 6. The contract value is relatively modest for a federal IT services contract, but the specific services are critical.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.49 million for three years of data research and business support appears reasonable on its face for a federal contract of this nature. However, without more detailed benchmarks for similar specialized data management and research services, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. Given the non-competitive award, it's difficult to compare pricing against market alternatives or other potential bidders.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source contract. This indicates that the agency identified IT Data Consulting LLC as the only responsible source capable of meeting the government's needs. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a range of proposals or price negotiations that typically occur in a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a higher risk of paying a premium for services, as the government did not leverage competitive market forces to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which will receive essential data research and business support. The services delivered will aid in the administration and understanding of large datasets crucial for HUD's mission. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where HUD is headquartered, though the data itself may have national implications. Workforce implications are likely to involve specialized data analysts and business support professionals employed by IT Data Consulting LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Limited public information on IT Data Consulting LLC's specific experience in large-scale federal data research.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Contract addresses a critical need for data management within HUD.
The contract duration allows for sustained support and knowledge transfer.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on IT data consulting. This sector is vital for government operations, enabling agencies to manage and leverage vast amounts of data for policy-making and service delivery. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely depending on the complexity and scale of data management required, but federal agencies consistently invest in IT consulting to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. As a sole-source award, the opportunity for small businesses to participate through subcontracting is dependent on the prime contractor's discretion and existing relationships, rather than a mandated set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with details primarily available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

HUD Data Management Services
Federal IT Consulting Contracts
Government Business Support Services
Administrative Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
Limited public information on contractor's specific relevant experience.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $2.5 million to IT DATA CONSULTING LLC. HUD SEEKS A CONTRACTOR WHO SHALL PROVIDE SERVICES RELATED TO RESEARCH AND BUSINESS SUPPORT TO ADMINISTER THE LARGE AMOUNTS OF DATA RECEIVED.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IT DATA CONSULTING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development (Department of Housing and Urban Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-25. End: 2026-09-25.

What is the specific nature of the 'research and business support' services required by HUD?

The provided data indicates HUD seeks a contractor to 'provide services related to research and business support to administer the large amounts of data received.' While the exact nature of the research and support is not detailed, it implies tasks such as data analysis, interpretation, reporting, data quality assurance, and potentially developing strategies or recommendations based on the data. This could involve supporting policy development, program evaluation, or operational improvements within HUD. The 'business support' aspect suggests assistance with the processes and systems used to manage and utilize this data effectively.

What is IT Data Consulting LLC's track record with similar federal contracts, particularly in data research and administration?

Information regarding IT Data Consulting LLC's specific track record with similar federal contracts, especially those involving large-scale data research and administration for agencies like HUD, is not detailed in the provided data. As this was a sole-source award, the agency likely conducted its own due diligence on the contractor's capabilities. However, for external analysis, further investigation into the company's past performance, client testimonials, and previous contract awards would be necessary to fully assess their suitability and experience for this specific requirement. The limited information available suggests this may be a niche or specialized service for the contractor.

How does the $2.49 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for data research and business support?

Benchmarking the $2.49 million contract value requires comparing it to similar federal contracts for data research and business support. However, the provided data lacks specific details on the scope, duration, and complexity of the services. Generally, federal IT and data consulting contracts can range significantly. A three-year contract of this value might be considered moderate, but its true value depends on the intensity of the support, the expertise required, and the criticality of the data being managed. Without comparable contract data points (e.g., hourly rates, deliverables, agency type), a precise comparison is difficult. The sole-source nature also complicates direct price comparisons.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The primary risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis include the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional value, and the possibility that the government may not have accessed the best possible solution or vendor available in the market. Sole-source awards can also raise concerns about fairness and transparency in government procurement. Furthermore, if the selected contractor underperforms, the government has limited recourse without going through a potentially lengthy and complex process to re-compete or modify the contract.

What are the implications of this contract for HUD's data management capabilities and future initiatives?

This contract signifies HUD's commitment to enhancing its capabilities in managing and leveraging the large volumes of data it receives. By outsourcing specialized research and business support, HUD can potentially gain access to expertise and resources it may not possess internally, leading to more informed decision-making, improved program effectiveness, and better service delivery to its constituents. The success of this contract could pave the way for future investments in data analytics and management, positioning HUD to be more data-driven. Conversely, if the contract underperforms, it could hinder HUD's data initiatives and lead to wasted resources.

What is the historical spending pattern of HUD for administrative management and general management consulting services?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for HUD in the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services category (NAICS code 541611). To analyze historical spending, one would need to access federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) and filter for HUD's awards within this NAICS code over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the contractors frequently utilized, providing context for the current $2.49 million award and its place within HUD's broader procurement strategy for consulting services.

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 UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: IT Data Consulting L.L.C.

Address: 12020 SUNRISE VALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,197,995

Exercised Options: $2,485,666

Current Obligation: $2,485,666

Actual Outlays: $1,910,498

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline