National Archives awards $8.76M contract for IT test and CM support to Public Consulting Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,759,227 ($8.8M)

Contractor: Public Consulting Group LLC

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2021-08-12

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,936 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TEST & CM SUPPORT CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $8.8 million to PUBLIC CONSULTING GROUP LLC for work described as: TEST & CM SUPPORT CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value of $8.76M over approximately 3 years suggests a moderate investment in IT support services. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The use of Time and Materials pricing may present cost control challenges if not closely monitored. 4. The contract's duration of nearly 4 years provides stability for the contractor and continuity for services. 5. The primary service category is Custom Computer Programming Services, aligning with IT modernization needs. 6. The award was made by the National Archives and Records Administration, a civilian agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.76M over approximately 3.2 years averages to about $2.74M annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts is difficult without more specific service details. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not managed diligently compared to fixed-price contracts. The number of bids (16) suggests some level of market interest, but the ultimate value for money depends on the quality and efficiency of the services delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. With 16 offers received, the competition appears robust, which typically benefits price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing. The agency sought proposals from a wide range of potential contractors, suggesting an effort to leverage the market's capabilities.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging lower prices and better service offerings from contractors vying for the award.

Public Impact

The National Archives and Records Administration benefits from enhanced IT testing and configuration management support. Services delivered are crucial for maintaining and improving the agency's information technology infrastructure. The contract's impact is primarily within the federal IT services sector, supporting government operations. Workforce implications are likely internal to the contractor, with potential for specialized IT roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to cost overruns if not strictly managed and monitored.
The duration of the contract (nearly 4 years) might limit the agency's agility to adopt newer technologies if the scope is not regularly reviewed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a healthy market response.
A significant number of bids (16) suggests strong contractor interest and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract provides continuity for essential IT support services for the National Archives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and support. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies continually seeking to modernize systems and improve digital capabilities. This contract represents a portion of the National Archives' investment in maintaining its technological infrastructure and ensuring the reliability of its IT systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the testing and CM support required.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information about subcontracting plans. Given the nature of IT support services and the competitive award process, it's possible that larger firms were the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had opportunities to participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the National Archives and Records Administration's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are often internal.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Software Development
Configuration Management
IT Support Services
Custom Computer Programming

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Need for robust oversight to manage T&M labor hours and material costs.
Contract duration may impact agility in adopting new technologies if not managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $8.8 million to PUBLIC CONSULTING GROUP LLC. TEST & CM SUPPORT CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PUBLIC CONSULTING GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-12. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the track record of Public Consulting Group LLC with federal contracts, particularly for IT support services?

Public Consulting Group LLC has a history of federal contracting, though specific details on their IT support service performance would require a deeper dive into contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov. Analyzing past performance on similar contracts, including any awards, past performance evaluations, and contract modifications, would provide insight into their reliability and capability. It's important to check for any past performance issues, such as contract terminations, disputes, or negative CPARS ratings, which could indicate potential risks for this current contract.

How does the average annual value of this contract compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by civilian agencies?

The average annual value of this contract is approximately $2.74 million ($8.76M / 3.2 years). To benchmark this, one would need to compare it against contracts for 'Custom Computer Programming Services' or 'IT Testing and Evaluation' awarded by agencies of similar size and mission scope to the National Archives. Factors like contract duration, specific deliverables, and the level of expertise required significantly influence pricing. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts with detailed service descriptions and pricing, a precise comparison is challenging. However, this value appears moderate for a multi-year federal IT support contract.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used in this contract?

The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. Unlike fixed-price contracts, there is less incentive for the contractor to control costs efficiently. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight to ensure that labor hours are reasonable and necessary, and that material costs are fair. Without strict monitoring and well-defined ceilings, T&M contracts can become significantly more expensive than initially anticipated, impacting the overall value for money.

How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring competitive pricing for IT services like these?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing, as it allows all responsible sources to participate. The fact that 16 offers were received for this contract suggests a healthy level of competition. This broad participation typically drives down prices as contractors compete to offer the best value. However, the effectiveness is also dependent on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the evaluation criteria used. If the requirements are too narrow or the evaluation heavily favors specific approaches, it could inadvertently limit true competition.

What is the historical spending trend for IT support services at the National Archives and Records Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT support services at the National Archives and Records Administration would involve examining contract data over several fiscal years. This would reveal whether spending in this category has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable. It would also help identify the primary contractors utilized and the types of IT services most frequently procured. Understanding these trends can provide context for the current $8.76M award, indicating if it represents a significant shift in investment or a continuation of established spending levels for IT support.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the broader IT services market, particularly for small businesses?

This contract, awarded through full and open competition, primarily impacts the larger IT service providers capable of meeting the requirements of the National Archives. While small businesses can participate as subcontractors, the prime contract itself does not appear to be a small business set-aside. The competitive nature might benefit small businesses if they are part of a winning team's subcontracting plan. However, the overall market impact depends on the specific niche of IT services and the number of large companies competing, which could potentially squeeze out smaller players if they cannot compete on scale or specialized offerings.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 88310321Q00075

Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 148 STATE ST FL 10, BOSTON, MA, 02109

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,629,397

Exercised Options: $10,629,397

Current Obligation: $8,759,227

Actual Outlays: $7,128,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA20D004Y

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline