DOE awards $2.8M for public conferencing, with Liona Enterprises Inc. securing the contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,811,306 ($2.8M)
Contractor: Liona Enterprises Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2022-06-08
End Date: 2027-06-07
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: PUBLIC CONFERENCING SOLUTION SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: GERMANTOWN, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20874
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $2.8 million to LIONA ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: PUBLIC CONFERENCING SOLUTION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a 5-year IT service agreement. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Contract duration aligns with typical IT service lifecycles. 5. Service category (Custom Computer Programming) is a common IT need. 6. Geographic focus on Maryland is noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $2.8 million over five years for public conferencing solution services is within a reasonable range for IT service contracts of this nature. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) suggests that this pricing is competitive, especially considering the full and open competition. The firm fixed-price structure further enhances value by transferring cost risk to the contractor.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The presence of four bids suggests a competitive marketplace for public conferencing solutions. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the government receives competitive offers.
Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government secured a cost-effective solution for its conferencing needs.
Public Impact
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff and stakeholders will benefit from enhanced public conferencing capabilities. The contract delivers custom computer programming services to support public engagement and information dissemination. The primary geographic impact is within Maryland, where the services are likely managed or delivered. The contract supports the IT workforce within the contractor's organization.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if the solution becomes highly integrated.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical conferencing infrastructure.
- Need for ongoing monitoring of service performance and user satisfaction.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potentially better pricing.
- Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511). The market for IT services, including conferencing solutions, is vast and highly competitive. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting various government functions from internal communications to public outreach. This contract represents a small but essential component of the government's overall IT infrastructure investment.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses were eligible to compete, but there is no specific indication of a small business set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed in this data, but are a common requirement in larger federal contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Federal IT Services
- Custom Software Development
- Cloud-based Conferencing Solutions
- Government Communication Platforms
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Reliance on single vendor for critical service
Tags
it, department-of-energy, federal-energy-regulatory-commission, maryland, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, firm-fixed-price, custom-computer-programming-services, naics-541511, medium-size-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $2.8 million to LIONA ENTERPRISES INC. PUBLIC CONFERENCING SOLUTION SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LIONA ENTERPRISES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-06-08. End: 2027-06-07.
What is the track record of Liona Enterprises Inc. in delivering similar IT services to the federal government?
Information regarding Liona Enterprises Inc.'s specific track record with federal IT services is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts. Federal procurement databases often contain contractor performance information that can shed light on their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms. Without this additional context, it is difficult to definitively assess their past performance in delivering similar public conferencing solutions or custom computer programming services.
How does the awarded price compare to similar federal contracts for public conferencing solutions?
The provided data indicates a contract value of approximately $2.8 million over five years. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against other federal contracts awarded for similar public conferencing solutions or custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) within the same timeframe. Factors such as contract duration, scope of services, number of users, and specific features (e.g., security, integration capabilities) would need to be considered for a fair comparison. Given the full and open competition and firm fixed-price nature, the price appears to be within a reasonable range, but a detailed market analysis of comparable contracts would provide a more definitive assessment of value for money.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential vendor lock-in if the solution becomes deeply integrated into FERC's operations, reliance on a single vendor for critical communication infrastructure, and the possibility of service degradation over the contract's five-year term. Mitigation strategies are primarily addressed through the contract's structure: the firm fixed-price nature transfers cost overrun risk to the contractor. The full and open competition suggests a market where alternatives exist, reducing dependency. Ongoing oversight by FERC contracting officers and program managers, coupled with performance metrics and potential remedies for non-performance, are crucial for managing service quality and ensuring accountability throughout the contract lifecycle.
How effective is the chosen competition strategy (full and open) in ensuring optimal value for taxpayers?
The full and open competition strategy is generally considered highly effective in ensuring optimal value for taxpayers. By allowing all eligible vendors to participate, it maximizes the pool of potential bidders, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. The fact that four bids were received indicates a healthy level of market interest and competition. This process fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer their best terms to win the award. Consequently, taxpayers benefit from potentially lower costs and a higher quality of service compared to less competitive procurement methods.
What is the historical spending trend for public conferencing solutions at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission?
The provided data only pertains to this specific contract award and does not offer historical spending trends for public conferencing solutions at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). To analyze historical spending, one would need to access and aggregate data on previous contracts awarded by FERC for similar services over several fiscal years. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for relevant contract actions, identifying spending patterns, and noting any fluctuations in contract values or the number of awards. Such an analysis would help determine if this $2.8 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in conferencing solutions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 89603022Q0017
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 308 READING RD UNIT 300, CINCINNATI, OH, 45202
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,393,645
Exercised Options: $3,627,974
Current Obligation: $2,811,306
Actual Outlays: $2,441,442
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F509GA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-06-08
Current End Date: 2027-06-07
Potential End Date: 2029-06-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-14
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