DoD awards $46.8M for custom computer programming, with 1 bidder and 5-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,816,345 ($46.8M)

Contractor: Quiet Professionals, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-23

End Date: 2024-03-23

Contract Duration: 1,643 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: J2 LABOR

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33621

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $46.8 million to QUIET PROFESSIONALS, LLC for work described as: J2 LABOR Key points: 1. Contract value of $46.8M over five years suggests significant investment in specialized IT services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, but only one bid was received, raising questions about market engagement. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed diligently. 4. The vendor, Quiet Professionals, LLC, is a single awardee for this delivery order. 5. Services are categorized under Custom Computer Programming, indicating a need for tailored software solutions. 6. The contract duration of 1643 days (approx. 5 years) points to a long-term requirement for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $46.8M contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for evolving IT needs, carries inherent risks for cost overruns if not closely monitored. The absence of detailed cost breakdowns or performance-based metrics makes a definitive value assessment difficult. However, the single bid received in a full and open competition could indicate either a highly specialized niche or potential issues with market outreach or contractor capacity.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is generally the preferred method for maximizing market participation and achieving competitive pricing. However, the fact that only one bid was received is a significant concern. This could suggest that the scope of work was highly specialized, the requirements were difficult to meet, or that potential competitors were deterred for other reasons. A single bid limits price discovery and reduces the government's leverage in negotiations.

Taxpayer Impact: A single bid in a full and open competition means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price. The lack of robust competition limits the government's ability to negotiate favorable terms and potentially drives up costs.

Public Impact

The U.S. Special Operations Command benefits from tailored custom computer programming services. The contract supports the development and maintenance of specialized software solutions critical for operational needs. Services are primarily delivered in Florida, indicating a geographic focus for this contract. The contract likely supports a workforce skilled in advanced software development and IT services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Risk of cost escalation due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Limited competition (one bid) may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Potential for vendor lock-in given the long contract duration and specialized nature of services.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, adhering to best practices for government procurement.
Contract duration of over five years suggests a stable, long-term need being met.
Services provided by a specialized IT firm, potentially bringing unique expertise.

Sector Analysis

The Custom Computer Programming Services sector (NAICS 541511) is a critical component of the IT industry, encompassing the design, development, and implementation of software tailored to specific client needs. This market is characterized by high demand from government and commercial entities requiring specialized solutions. Spending in this area often reflects investments in national security, operational efficiency, and technological advancement. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large, long-term IT service contracts awarded by defense agencies for similar custom development work.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, the 'ss' flag is also false, suggesting no specific small business subcontracting goals were mandated within this delivery order. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in subcontracting roles may be limited or at the discretion of the prime contractor, Quiet Professionals, LLC.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) contracting and program management offices. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to delivery schedules, and quality of services rendered. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
IT Services for Defense
Special Operations Command IT Support
Time and Materials Contracts
Long-Term IT Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Single Bidder in Full and Open Competition
Time and Materials Pricing Structure
Long Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $46.8 million to QUIET PROFESSIONALS, LLC. J2 LABOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is QUIET PROFESSIONALS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (U.S. Special Operations Command).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $46.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-23. End: 2024-03-23.

What is the track record of Quiet Professionals, LLC in delivering custom computer programming services to the federal government?

Quiet Professionals, LLC has been awarded this specific delivery order valued at $46.8 million for custom computer programming services by the U.S. Special Operations Command. Further analysis of their contract history within the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain their broader track record. This includes examining past performance on similar contracts, any reported issues or awards, and their overall experience with government IT projects. Without additional data points on their prior federal awards and performance, it's difficult to provide a comprehensive assessment of their track record beyond this single, significant award.

How does the $46.8M contract value compare to similar custom computer programming contracts awarded by the DoD?

The $46.8 million contract value for custom computer programming services awarded to Quiet Professionals, LLC by the U.S. Special Operations Command over a five-year period is substantial. To benchmark this, one would need to compare it against other large, long-term IT development contracts within the Department of Defense (DoD) or other federal agencies. Factors such as the specific technical requirements, the complexity of the software, and the duration of the contract significantly influence pricing. Contracts for highly specialized or mission-critical software development, especially those involving advanced technologies or security clearances, tend to command higher values. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing the average cost per year or per deliverable for similar services across the DoD's IT portfolio.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this $46.8M award?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this $46.8 million award is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If project scope creeps, inefficiencies arise, or labor hours are not diligently managed and tracked, the total cost can exceed initial estimates. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight to ensure that labor hours are reasonable and necessary, and that material costs are fair. The long duration of this contract (over five years) amplifies this risk, as market conditions and project needs can change, potentially leading to increased labor rates or unforeseen material expenses.

Given only one bid was received, what does this imply about the effectiveness of the competition strategy for this contract?

Receiving only one bid under a 'full and open competition' strategy raises significant concerns about its effectiveness in this instance. While the process itself was designed to encourage broad participation, the outcome suggests potential issues. These could include: the requirements being too narrowly defined or highly specialized, making it difficult for multiple firms to qualify; insufficient market research or outreach prior to the solicitation, failing to attract a wider pool of interested vendors; or the contract terms and conditions being unattractive to potential bidders. From a taxpayer perspective, limited competition reduces the government's leverage to negotiate the best possible price and terms, potentially leading to higher costs and less favorable outcomes than if multiple bids had been submitted.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the broader IT services market, particularly for small businesses?

This $46.8 million contract, awarded to Quiet Professionals, LLC, primarily impacts the large prime contractor landscape. As indicated, there are no explicit small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements noted for this specific delivery order. This means that small businesses are unlikely to directly benefit from this award unless they are subcontractors chosen by Quiet Professionals, LLC. The lack of mandated subcontracting goals could limit their opportunities to gain experience and revenue within this particular contract's scope. The broader implication is that large, sole-source awards (even if competed initially) can consolidate market share among larger firms, potentially making it harder for emerging small businesses to break into the federal IT contracting space.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2701 N ROCKY POINT DR, TAMPA, FL, 33607

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $51,628,397

Exercised Options: $51,628,397

Current Obligation: $46,816,345

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA18D006F

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline