GSA awards $23.1M engineering services contract to Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,117,992 ($23.1M)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2017-06-29

End Date: 2022-06-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT INIGOES, SAINT MARYS County, MARYLAND, 20684

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $23.1 million to CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified bidders. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored. 3. The duration of the contract is 5 years, suggesting a long-term need for these engineering services. 4. The award was a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. The contract was awarded to a single entity, Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific $23.1 million contract is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not managed diligently. Comparing it to similar engineering services contracts would require access to a broader dataset of comparable awards, including the specific types of engineering provided and the complexity of the projects undertaken. The fixed fee component provides some cost certainty, but the cost-reimbursement aspect necessitates robust oversight.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' While the 'full and open' aspect suggests a broad solicitation, the 'exclusion of sources' clause indicates that certain potential bidders may have been excluded based on specific criteria. The presence of 5 bids suggests a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite potential exclusions, aims to ensure the government receives the best value by considering multiple qualified offerors. This process helps taxpayers by driving down costs through competitive pressure.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring specialized engineering services, potentially across various domains. The services delivered are engineering-related, supporting infrastructure, technology, or other government projects. The geographic impact is not specified but could be national, depending on the scope of the engineering services required. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities for engineers and technical staff within Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C. and its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
The 'exclusion of sources' in an otherwise 'full and open' competition warrants understanding the rationale.
Limited public information on specific deliverables makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition process, suggesting a robust search for qualified vendors.
The contract duration of 5 years indicates a stable, long-term need for these services.
Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C. is the awardee, potentially indicating a focus on supporting businesses with specific ownership structures.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of government contracting, supporting a wide array of federal initiatives from infrastructure development to advanced research and development. This contract, classified under NAICS code 541330, falls within a market characterized by specialized expertise and significant demand. Comparable spending benchmarks in this sector vary widely based on the specific engineering discipline and project scale, but federal agencies consistently allocate substantial resources to engineering support to ensure the successful execution of their missions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities. Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C., as a large business, may engage small businesses for specialized tasks or support services, contributing to their growth and revenue. However, without specific subcontracting plans or goals detailed in the award, the extent of this impact remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Mechanisms would include contract performance reviews, financial audits of costs incurred against the fixed fee, and adherence to the terms and conditions of the Delivery Order. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services Contracts
General Services Administration Contracts
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
Delivery Orders
Federal Acquisition Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires vigilant oversight.
Potential for limited competition due to 'Exclusion of Sources' clause.
Lack of specific service details hinders comprehensive value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $23.1 million to CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C.. IGF::CT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-06-29. End: 2022-06-28.

What is the specific nature of the engineering services provided under this contract?

The provided data identifies the contract under NAICS code 541330, which corresponds to 'Engineering Services.' However, it does not specify the exact type of engineering services rendered. These could range broadly from civil, mechanical, electrical, or aerospace engineering to specialized consulting in areas like cybersecurity infrastructure, environmental engineering, or systems engineering. Without further details on the Statement of Work (SOW) or the specific tasks performed, it is difficult to ascertain the precise nature and complexity of the engineering support provided to the General Services Administration.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure compare to other contract types for similar engineering services?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common for services where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. It reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility for the government if requirements change but carries a higher risk of cost overruns if not managed closely. Other types like Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) tie profit more directly to performance metrics. For well-defined engineering projects, FFP is often preferred for cost certainty. The choice of CPFF here suggests a need for flexibility in the engineering tasks.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation presents a nuanced competitive landscape. While 'full and open' implies the broadest possible solicitation, the 'exclusion of sources' indicates that specific potential offerors were deliberately excluded from the competition. The risks lie in understanding the justification for these exclusions. If the exclusions were arbitrary or based on criteria that unduly limited competition, it could lead to suboptimal pricing or fewer innovative solutions. Conversely, if the exclusions were based on legitimate, mission-critical requirements (e.g., security clearances, specific technical capabilities), it could be a necessary step to ensure the best fit for the government's needs, albeit with potentially reduced bidder numbers.

What is the track record of Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC in delivering engineering services to the federal government?

Assessing the track record of Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC requires examining their past performance on similar federal contracts. While this specific award is for $23.1 million over five years, their broader history with the government, particularly in engineering services (NAICS 541330), would provide crucial context. Information on contract completion timeliness, quality of deliverables, cost control, and customer satisfaction from previous engagements would indicate their reliability and capability. A review of their past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would be essential to gauge their suitability and predict future performance on this contract.

How does the $23.1 million award value compare to historical GSA spending on engineering services?

To benchmark the $23.1 million award value, one would need to analyze historical spending patterns by the General Services Administration (GSA) for engineering services (NAICS 541330). This involves comparing the award amount against the average contract value, total annual spending, and the number of contracts awarded in this category over several fiscal years. If $23.1 million represents a significant portion of GSA's annual engineering budget or is substantially higher than average contract values, it might warrant further investigation into the scope and complexity of the services required. Conversely, if it aligns with typical spending, it suggests a standard-sized award within the sector.

What are the implications of the 5-year duration for the engineering services provided?

A 5-year duration (1825 days) for this engineering services contract suggests a long-term, ongoing requirement by the GSA. This extended period allows for the development of a deeper working relationship between the agency and Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC, potentially leading to greater efficiency and institutional knowledge. However, it also necessitates robust contract management to ensure that services remain relevant, costs are controlled over time, and performance standards are consistently met. For the contractor, it provides revenue stability. For the government, it implies a sustained need that may evolve, requiring flexibility within the contract framework.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 W 2ND ST STE 1500-28, TULSA, OK, 74103

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,500,000

Exercised Options: $43,617,494

Current Obligation: $23,117,992

Actual Outlays: $-60,083

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $30,663,135

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS110

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline