Smithsonian Institution awards $13.9M IT engineering support contract to Knowcean Consulting Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,902,908 ($13.9M)

Contractor: Knowcean Consulting Inc.

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2017-06-12

End Date: 2025-03-11

Contract Duration: 2,829 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS IS WORK ORDER CONTRACT F17CW10347 (WO-06) UNDER F14CC10155 FOR PROVIDING IT ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO) AT VARIOUS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN AREA AND HERNDON, VA. IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20560

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $13.9 million to KNOWCEAN CONSULTING INC. for work described as: THIS IS WORK ORDER CONTRACT F17CW10347 (WO-06) UNDER F14CC10155 FOR PROVIDING IT ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO) AT VARIOUS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN AREA AND HERNDON, VA. IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded for IT engineering support services to the OCIO. 2. Knowcean Consulting Inc. is the contractor for this work order. 3. The contract spans multiple locations in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area and Herndon, VA. 4. This is a delivery order under a larger contract. 5. The NAICS code 541990 suggests a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $13.9M. Without specific unit pricing or labor rates, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. The contract type is 'Labor Hours', which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This suggests a competitive process, but the exclusion of sources might limit the pool of bidders. The pricing discovery relies on the competitive bids received.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to secure fair pricing for taxpayers, but the 'Labor Hours' contract type introduces potential for cost escalation.

Public Impact

Ensures continued IT engineering support for the Smithsonian Institution's Chief Information Officer. Supports operations across various locations in the D.C. metro area and Herndon, VA. Provides essential technical services for government IT infrastructure. The contract duration extends into March 2025, indicating a long-term need.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor Hours contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Long contract duration indicates sustained need for services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is highly competitive. Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparison with similar IT engineering support contracts, considering the specific skill sets and service levels required by the OCIO.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to manage the 'Labor Hours' aspect of this contract, ensuring efficient service delivery and preventing cost overruns. The Smithsonian Institution's procurement processes should provide the necessary accountability mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Labor Hours contract type.
Potential for limited competition.
Lack of detailed service scope.
No small business award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $13.9 million to KNOWCEAN CONSULTING INC.. THIS IS WORK ORDER CONTRACT F17CW10347 (WO-06) UNDER F14CC10155 FOR PROVIDING IT ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO) AT VARIOUS IN THE WASHINGTON, DC METROPOLITAN AREA AND HERNDON, VA. IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KNOWCEAN CONSULTING INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-06-12. End: 2025-03-11.

What specific IT engineering services are included in this contract, and how do they align with the OCIO's strategic goals?

The contract specifies 'IT Engineering Support Services'. A detailed breakdown of these services, such as network engineering, cybersecurity support, system administration, or software development, would be needed to assess their alignment with the OCIO's strategic objectives. Understanding the specific tasks ensures the $13.9M investment directly contributes to the agency's mission and technological advancement.

What was the rationale for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific technical capabilities, past performance, or unique requirements necessitate a narrowed bidder pool. Understanding the justification for exclusion is vital to ensure the competition, though limited, was still fair and that the selected contractor truly offers the best value and possesses the necessary specialized expertise for the OCIO's IT engineering needs.

How will the Smithsonian Institution monitor and control costs under this 'Labor Hours' contract to ensure taxpayer value?

Effective cost control under a 'Labor Hours' contract relies on robust monitoring of labor hours, rates, and task completion. The Smithsonian Institution should implement strict oversight, regular performance reviews, and clear invoicing procedures. Benchmarking actual labor hours against estimated effort and industry standards will be critical to prevent cost overruns and ensure the $13.9M award delivers maximum value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10605 STAPLEFORD HALL DR, POTOMAC, MD, 20854

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,902,908

Exercised Options: $13,902,908

Current Obligation: $13,902,908

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F14CC10155

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline