DoD awards $21.7M contract for custom computer programming to Quiet Professionals, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,690,914 ($21.7M)

Contractor: Quiet Professionals, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-03-25

End Date: 2026-03-24

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DOMEX BASE YEAR

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33621

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.7 million to QUIET PROFESSIONALS, LLC for work described as: DOMEX BASE YEAR Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear scope and cost expectations. 2. Sole-source award suggests limited market availability or specific contractor capabilities. 3. Contract duration of 729 days provides a medium-term engagement for services. 4. The contract falls under custom computer programming services, a critical area for IT modernization. 5. Awarded by U.S. Special Operations Command, highlighting a focus on specialized defense needs. 6. The base year value of $21.7M warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness given the sole-source nature.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's base year value of $21.7 million for custom computer programming services is substantial. Without comparable sole-source awards or detailed cost breakdowns, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but the lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing. Further analysis of the specific services rendered and their criticality to U.S. Special Operations Command would be needed to fully assess value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This typically occurs when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or is the only source capable of meeting the requirement. The lack of competition limits price discovery and may result in higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed scenario.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may face higher costs due to the absence of competitive bidding, as the government did not leverage market forces to secure the best possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely U.S. Special Operations Command personnel who will receive enhanced or new custom software solutions. Services delivered include custom computer programming, potentially involving software development, integration, or maintenance. The geographic impact is centered in Florida, where the contractor is located, but the ultimate impact is on national security operations. Workforce implications may include the employment of skilled software developers and IT professionals by Quiet Professionals, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
Potential for vendor lock-in if the custom solutions are highly specialized.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a single, potentially specialized, vendor may indicate a precise fit for unique requirements.
Contract duration allows for sustained development and integration of complex systems.

Sector Analysis

The custom computer programming services sector is a vital component of the IT industry, supporting government agencies in developing and maintaining critical software infrastructure. This contract, valued at $21.7 million for its base year, falls within the broader IT services market. Comparable spending benchmarks for custom software development contracts can vary widely based on complexity, duration, and agency needs. However, sole-source awards in this domain often warrant closer examination due to the potential for reduced price competition.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Quiet Professionals, LLC, a single entity, does not directly contribute to the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting. Further investigation into the contractor's own size and any potential partnerships would be needed to fully understand its impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the U.S. Special Operations Command's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specific outcomes within a set budget. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and performance metrics would be key areas for oversight assessment. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense IT Services
Special Operations Command Technology Procurement
Custom Software Development Contracts
Firm-Fixed-Price IT Contracts
Sole-Source IT Procurements

Risk Flags

Sole-source award requires strong justification.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.7 million to QUIET PROFESSIONALS, LLC. DOMEX BASE YEAR

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 $21.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-25. End: 2026-03-24.

What is the specific nature of the custom computer programming services being procured, and how do they align with U.S. Special Operations Command's mission requirements?

The contract specifies NAICS code 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services. While the exact nature of the services is not detailed in the provided data, it generally encompasses designing, developing, and testing custom software applications. For U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), these services could range from developing specialized intelligence analysis tools, secure communication platforms, mission planning software, or data management systems tailored to unique operational needs. The criticality lies in providing SOCOM with advanced technological capabilities that are not met by off-the-shelf solutions, thereby enhancing operational effectiveness, intelligence gathering, and personnel safety in complex and often classified environments. The sole-source nature suggests these services are highly specialized and potentially tied to existing SOCOM systems or unique operational requirements.

How does the $21.7 million base year cost compare to similar custom computer programming contracts awarded by the DoD or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $21.7 million base year cost for custom computer programming is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work and contract type. However, for sole-source awards, costs can often be higher than competitively bid contracts. The federal procurement data system (FPDS) might contain data on similar sole-source custom programming contracts awarded by SOCOM or other DoD components. A preliminary comparison suggests that while substantial, this figure is within the range for complex, specialized software development projects, especially those involving high security or unique operational requirements. However, the absence of competition means a direct value-for-money comparison is difficult, and a deeper dive into the contractor's cost proposal and justification for the sole-source award would be necessary for a robust assessment.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract of this magnitude for custom computer programming?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. The government may not be achieving the best possible value for taxpayer dollars. Another significant risk is vendor lock-in; if Quiet Professionals, LLC develops highly specialized and proprietary systems, SOCOM could become dependent on them for future maintenance, upgrades, and support, potentially leading to continued high costs. Furthermore, the absence of multiple bidders could mean that alternative, potentially more innovative or cost-effective solutions available in the market were not considered. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics becomes even more critical to mitigate these risks.

What is Quiet Professionals, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense and U.S. Special Operations Command?

Information regarding Quiet Professionals, LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially with the Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A thorough analysis would require accessing federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their contract history. Key aspects to examine would include the types of contracts awarded (e.g., value, duration, competition type), past performance ratings, any reported issues or disputes, and their experience in delivering custom computer programming services. Understanding their history with SOCOM would be particularly important to assess their familiarity with the command's unique operational environment and technical requirements.

How does the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type mitigate risks compared to other contract types for this type of service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and risks can be reasonably estimated. For custom computer programming services, FFP shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, Quiet Professionals, LLC. This means the government knows the total cost upfront, assuming the scope doesn't change significantly. This contrasts with cost-reimbursement contracts, where the government bears the risk of cost increases. While FFP provides cost certainty, it can sometimes lead contractors to cut corners on quality if not properly managed, or to build in higher contingency into their price due to the risk they assume. For a sole-source award, the FFP structure is crucial for establishing a clear ceiling on government expenditure.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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: $21,690,914

Exercised Options: $21,690,914

Current Obligation: $21,690,914

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline