Department of Education awards $3.6M contract for IT subject matter expert services to A SQUARE GROUP LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,591,084 ($3.6M)

Contractor: A Square Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2022-06-25

End Date: 2026-06-24

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BASE:NIH CIO-SP3 GWAC FSA IS ACQUIRING CONTRACT SERVICES TO PROVIDE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) SERVICES AND SKILL SETS WITH THE TECHNICAL ABILITIES TO ASSIST FSA WITH TECHNICAL DESIGN OVERSIGHT SERVICES (TDOS)

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21704

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $3.6 million to A SQUARE GROUP LLC for work described as: BASE:NIH CIO-SP3 GWAC FSA IS ACQUIRING CONTRACT SERVICES TO PROVIDE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) SERVICES AND SKILL SETS WITH THE TECHNICAL ABILITIES TO ASSIST FSA WITH TECHNICAL DESIGN OVERSIGHT SERVICES (TDOS) Key points: 1. Contract aims to bolster technical design oversight capabilities for the NIH CIO-SP3 GWAC. 2. Services are critical for ensuring effective IT project execution and technical integrity. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). 4. Fixed-price contract type suggests clear scope and predictable costs. 5. Performance is concentrated in Maryland, indicating a localized impact. 6. The duration of the contract is four years, aligning with long-term IT needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.6 million over four years for specialized IT subject matter expert services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts within federal agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges for expert-level technical design oversight. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the Department of Education, indicating good value for money if the required expertise is delivered effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a broad solicitation process. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this competition type generally fosters price discovery and allows for a wide range of qualified contractors to submit proposals. The inclusion of 'after exclusion of sources' suggests a specific process was followed to ensure fairness and broad participation.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it promotes a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and a wider selection of qualified vendors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Education's IT division, which will receive enhanced technical design oversight. Services will support the NIH CIO-SP3 GWAC, indirectly benefiting federal IT infrastructure and modernization efforts. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the contractor will likely perform services. The contract supports specialized IT roles, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled technology jobs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific bidder count makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of competition.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause requires further examination to understand its implications on competition.
Performance metrics and quality assurance details are not readily available, posing a potential risk to service quality.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a GWAC (CIO-SP3) suggests the contractor has met stringent pre-qualification requirements.
Fixed-price contract type aligns costs with deliverables, reducing financial risk.
The four-year duration indicates a stable, long-term need for these critical IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical component of the broader IT services market. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, utilizing them for system design, integration, and technical oversight. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for modernization, cybersecurity, and efficient IT operations across all agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other IT support contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Education or other entities utilizing GWACs for similar expertise.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-asides were not utilized for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the contract was competed broadly without specific targets for small business participation. Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. However, the prime contractor, A SQUARE GROUP LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their business strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Education responsible for the NIH CIO-SP3 GWAC. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, tying payment to successful delivery of services. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH CIO-SP3 GWAC
IT Professional Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Technical Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly managed.
Reliance on contractor expertise necessitates robust performance monitoring.
Limited public information on specific bidder qualifications and evaluation criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $3.6 million to A SQUARE GROUP LLC. BASE:NIH CIO-SP3 GWAC FSA IS ACQUIRING CONTRACT SERVICES TO PROVIDE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) SERVICES AND SKILL SETS WITH THE TECHNICAL ABILITIES TO ASSIST FSA WITH TECHNICAL DESIGN OVERSIGHT SERVICES (TDOS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A SQUARE GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-25. End: 2026-06-24.

What is the track record of A SQUARE GROUP LLC in performing similar IT subject matter expert services for federal agencies?

Assessing the track record of A SQUARE GROUP LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving IT subject matter expert (SME) services and technical design oversight. Information on past performance, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and the quality of deliverables, is typically available through sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or contractor performance assessment reporting tools. A detailed analysis would involve examining the size and scope of previous contracts, the agencies they served, and any documented performance evaluations. Without specific past performance data readily available in the provided snippet, it's difficult to definitively assess their capabilities. However, their ability to win this contract under a full and open competition suggests they met the agency's initial qualification criteria.

How does the awarded amount compare to the total value of the parent GWAC (NIH CIO-SP3)?

The NIH CIO-SP3 GWAC is a large, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle with a ceiling of $20 billion over 10 years, designed to provide a wide range of IT solutions and services to federal agencies. The current delivery order awarded to A SQUARE GROUP LLC for $3.59 million represents a very small fraction of the overall GWAC's potential value. This is typical for individual delivery orders under large GWACs, which are designed to accommodate numerous task orders of varying sizes and scopes. The $3.59 million is a specific commitment for the defined period and services, whereas the GWAC ceiling represents the maximum potential spending across all awarded task orders to all prime contractors on that vehicle.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to delays or subpar technical oversight, and the risk of scope creep if the requirements are not clearly defined and managed. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure and agency oversight. The firm fixed-price (FFP) nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and deliver within the agreed scope to maximize profit. The Department of Education's program managers will provide ongoing oversight, monitoring performance against deliverables and milestones. Regular communication and defined reporting requirements also help in early identification and resolution of issues. Furthermore, the contract's duration allows for performance assessments over time, enabling the agency to address any emerging problems proactively.

What is the expected impact of these SME services on the Department of Education's IT project success rates?

The engagement of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for Technical Design Oversight Services (TDOS) is intended to significantly enhance the success rates of the Department of Education's IT projects. SMEs bring specialized knowledge and experience that can identify potential design flaws, security vulnerabilities, and inefficiencies early in the project lifecycle, which are often harder to correct later. By providing expert review and guidance on technical designs, these SMEs can help ensure that projects align with best practices, meet technical requirements, and are implemented efficiently. This proactive oversight is expected to reduce costly rework, minimize project delays, and ultimately lead to the delivery of more robust, secure, and effective IT solutions that better serve the Department's mission.

How has federal spending on Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512) trended in recent years, and how does this contract fit?

Federal spending on Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512) has shown a consistent upward trend over the past decade, driven by the government's ongoing need to modernize IT infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and adopt new technologies. Agencies increasingly rely on external expertise for complex system design, integration, and technical consulting. This specific contract, valued at approximately $3.6 million, represents a modest but important investment within this broader spending category. It aligns with the trend of agencies utilizing specialized GWACs like CIO-SP3 to procure expert services efficiently. The contract's focus on technical design oversight is a key component of ensuring the successful implementation of IT modernization initiatives funded within this sector.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6237 EXECUTIVE BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,513,420

Exercised Options: $3,591,084

Current Obligation: $3,591,084

Actual Outlays: $3,256,128

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98120D00007

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline