M365 Support Services contract awarded to METAS SOLUTIONS LLC for over $2.5M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,584,638 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Metas Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Start Date: 2023-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: M365 SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30341

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service obligated $2.6 million to METAS SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: M365 SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the duration and scope of IT support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. Potential risk indicators include the lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data. 4. This contract supports essential IT infrastructure for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. 5. The contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' category, indicating a broad IT support function.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2.58 million over three years for M365 support services seems reasonable for a federal agency. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is difficult without more detailed service level agreements and performance data. However, the pricing structure based on labor hours allows for flexibility. The total value suggests a moderate investment in maintaining critical IT operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 10 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this IT support requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Federal employees using Microsoft 365 services will benefit from reliable technical support. Essential IT services will be maintained, ensuring the operational continuity of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The geographic impact is primarily within the agency's operational locations, supporting its mission. Workforce implications include the potential for METAS SOLUTIONS LLC to utilize skilled IT professionals for service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs makes it difficult to assess service quality objectively.
The contract duration of three years could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Reliance on labor hours pricing might incentivize longer service times if not closely monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The contract supports critical IT infrastructure for a federal agency.
METAS SOLUTIONS LLC is a known entity in the IT services space.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broader IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services.' The market for IT support and managed services for government agencies is substantial, with significant spending allocated annually. This contract represents a portion of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service's IT budget, aimed at ensuring the smooth operation of its Microsoft 365 environment. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT support contracts across various federal agencies with similar user bases and service requirements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses participated in the bidding process. However, without further information on subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Modernization Programs
Cloud Services Contracts
IT Support Services
Microsoft 365 Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics
Potential for cost overruns with labor hour pricing
Limited insight into contractor's past performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service awarded $2.6 million to METAS SOLUTIONS LLC. M365 SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METAS SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of METAS SOLUTIONS LLC in performing similar federal IT support contracts?

Assessing the track record of METAS SOLUTIONS LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, contract performance evaluations (like CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. Without specific data on their past performance, it's difficult to definitively gauge their capability to deliver on this M365 support contract. Agencies typically consider past performance as a significant factor in award decisions, so their selection suggests they met the agency's criteria. Further investigation into their contract history would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in providing IT support services to the federal government.

How does the total contract value of $2.58 million compare to similar M365 support contracts for federal agencies of comparable size?

Comparing the $2.58 million total contract value for M365 support services requires context regarding the size and user base of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). If FMCS is a smaller agency, this value might represent a significant investment per user. Conversely, for larger agencies, it could be a standard allocation. Benchmarking against contracts for agencies with similar employee counts and IT infrastructure needs would be most relevant. Without specific data on FMCS's user numbers and the scope of services included (e.g., help desk, system administration, cybersecurity for M365), a precise comparison is challenging. However, the value suggests a comprehensive support package is anticipated over the three-year period.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract award?

Key risk indicators for this contract include the lack of publicly available detailed performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) within the provided data. This makes it difficult to objectively measure the quality and effectiveness of the support provided by METAS SOLUTIONS LLC. Another potential risk is the three-year duration, which, while providing stability, could lead to complacency or vendor lock-in if not actively managed. The pricing model based on 'labor hours' can also pose a risk if not tightly controlled, potentially leading to inflated costs if service delivery is inefficient. Finally, the broad categorization of 'Other Computer Related Services' might obscure specific vulnerabilities or dependencies within the IT ecosystem being supported.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring cost-effectiveness for this contract?

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' with 10 bidders, which is a strong indicator of potential cost-effectiveness. A higher number of bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing as companies vie for the contract. This level of competition suggests that METAS SOLUTIONS LLC likely submitted a competitive bid to win the award. The agency's ability to attract numerous qualified bidders implies that the requirement was well-defined and the market was receptive. While competition drives initial pricing down, ongoing cost-effectiveness will also depend on the agency's contract management, oversight, and the contractor's efficiency in delivering services within the agreed-upon labor hour structure.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support services at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT support services at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) would provide crucial context for this $2.58 million M365 support contract. Without access to FMCS's historical budget data and previous IT support contract awards, it's impossible to determine if this current spending is an increase, decrease, or consistent with past investments. Understanding trends in IT spending, such as shifts towards cloud services or specific software support, would reveal whether this contract aligns with the agency's strategic IT direction. A review of prior contracts, their values, durations, and the services provided would be necessary to establish a baseline and assess the current contract's financial implications within the agency's overall budget.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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: 93310023Q0018

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 659 AUBURN AVE NE APT 109, ATLANTA, GA, 30312

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black 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: $2,584,638

Exercised Options: $2,584,638

Current Obligation: $2,584,638

Actual Outlays: $1,945,896

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA20D002G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline