GSA's $111M contract for WIN-T programmatic support awarded to Janus Research Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $111,266,280 ($111.3M)

Contractor: Janus Research Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2014-02-14

End Date: 2018-10-09

Contract Duration: 1,698 days

Daily Burn Rate: $65.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: PROGRAMMATIC SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF PROJECT MANAGER WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORK TACTICAL PROGRAMS IGF::CL::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21005

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $111.3 million to JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC for work described as: PROGRAMMATIC SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF PROJECT MANAGER WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORK TACTICAL PROGRAMS IGF::CL::IGF Key points: 1. The contract value of $111.3 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in supporting the WIN-T program. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process was intended. 3. The use of Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can introduce cost uncertainty if not carefully managed. 4. The contract duration of 1698 days (approximately 4.6 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 5. The award to Janus Research Group, LLC, suggests a specific capability or past performance was deemed valuable for this program. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 points to computer systems design services, a critical area for modern defense networks.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not rigorously monitored. The total award amount of over $111 million over nearly five years indicates a substantial commitment, but the value for money depends heavily on the successful delivery of complex programmatic support for the WIN-T system.

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 that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation implies multiple interested parties were likely considered.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with exclusions, generally aims to secure better pricing and services for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Project Manager for Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (PM WIN-T) programs, receiving essential programmatic support. The services delivered are critical for the planning, execution, and oversight of complex tactical communication systems for the military. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting a program with widespread military operational implications. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT and program management professionals to be employed by the contractor to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method warrants further investigation into the rationale and potential impact on competition.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value for money delivered.
The long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in or reduced agility in adapting to changing technological needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Supports a critical defense program (WIN-T), indicating strategic importance.
The contractor, Janus Research Group, LLC, was selected, implying they met specific requirements and qualifications.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need for these services, providing continuity.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and programmatic support for defense-related technology. The market for such services is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The total spending on IT services by the federal government is in the hundreds of billions annually, making this contract a relatively small portion of the overall IT expenditure but significant for the specific program it supports.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside implications. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist at the discretion of the prime contractor, Janus Research Group, LLC, but are not explicitly mandated by the contract type or award structure presented.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and the specific program office within the Department of Defense that utilizes the WIN-T system. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including delivery schedules and performance requirements. 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 were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T)
Program Management Support Services
IT Systems Integration
Defense Communications Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
Limited transparency on competition exclusions
Difficulty in benchmarking value without performance data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $111.3 million to JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC. PROGRAMMATIC SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF PROJECT MANAGER WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORK TACTICAL PROGRAMS IGF::CL::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $111.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-02-14. End: 2018-10-09.

What is the track record of Janus Research Group, LLC in delivering similar programmatic support services to defense clients?

Assessing the track record of Janus Research Group, LLC requires a deeper dive into their past performance on contracts with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Specifically, one would look for evidence of successful project completion, adherence to timelines and budgets, and positive past performance evaluations. Information regarding their experience with complex tactical communication networks like WIN-T would be particularly relevant. Without access to detailed performance reports or contract histories beyond this single award, it is difficult to definitively gauge their expertise and reliability for this specific type of critical support.

How does the awarded amount of $111.3 million compare to similar programmatic support contracts for large-scale defense IT systems?

Comparing the $111.3 million award to similar contracts requires identifying comparable programs in terms of scale, complexity, and duration. Large-scale defense IT systems often involve multi-year contracts with values ranging from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. For instance, contracts supporting network modernization, cybersecurity, or enterprise resource planning systems within the DoD can reach similar or higher figures. The specific nature of WIN-T's programmatic support needs, including its tactical focus and integration challenges, would influence its cost. A direct comparison would necessitate analyzing the scope of work, the number of personnel required, and the specific technical expertise demanded by other, similarly sized defense IT programs.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this specific programmatic support, and how were they mitigated?

The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost escalation, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor. This can lead to budget overruns if work is inefficiently performed or if scope creep occurs without proper controls. For this WIN-T programmatic support contract, mitigation strategies would typically involve stringent oversight of labor hours, detailed tracking of material expenses, defined ceiling prices, and robust change management processes. The government contracting officer and technical representatives play a crucial role in monitoring contractor performance and ensuring that all costs are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for the defined scope of work.

What specific programmatic functions does this contract cover, and how do they contribute to the overall success of the WIN-T program?

This contract provides programmatic services essential for the Project Manager for Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (PM WIN-T) programs. These services likely encompass a range of activities such as program planning, scheduling, risk management, budget tracking, acquisition support, and coordination among various stakeholders. By ensuring these programmatic functions are effectively managed, the contract directly contributes to the successful development, deployment, and sustainment of WIN-T, which is a critical tactical communication network for the U.S. Army. Effective programmatic support helps to keep the project on track, within budget, and aligned with warfighter requirements.

How has federal spending on IT systems design services like NAICS 541512 evolved over the past decade, and where does this contract fit within that trend?

Federal spending on IT systems design services (NAICS 541512) has generally seen a consistent increase over the past decade, driven by the ongoing need for modernization, cybersecurity enhancements, and the adoption of new technologies across government agencies. Defense agencies, in particular, represent a significant portion of this spending due to the complexity and critical nature of their IT infrastructure. This $111.3 million contract for WIN-T programmatic support fits within this trend as a substantial investment in a specific, high-priority defense IT program. It reflects the government's continued reliance on specialized IT support services to manage and evolve its complex technological systems.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: ID02130025

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6504 RESERVOIR RD, APPLING, GA, 30802

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $126,419,255

Exercised Options: $126,419,255

Current Obligation: $111,266,280

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 78

Total Subaward Amount: $45,642,034

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F0636Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline