Interior Department's $28M IT Help Desk Contract Awarded to NUAXIS LLC Shows Moderate Value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,090,877 ($28.1M)

Contractor: Nuaxis LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2017-11-16

End Date: 2023-11-15

Contract Duration: 2,190 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF HELP DESK AND DESKTOP SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20192

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $28.1 million to NUAXIS LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF HELP DESK AND DESKTOP SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $28.1 million over six years suggests a steady demand for IT support services. 2. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The contract's duration of 2190 days (6 years) implies a long-term need for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost predictability for the government. 5. The award to NUAXIS LLC, a single entity, highlights the importance of specialized IT support providers in government operations. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this contract was not specifically targeted for smaller enterprises.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $28.1 million over six years averages to approximately $4.68 million per year. Benchmarking this against similar IT help desk and desktop support contracts within federal agencies is crucial. While specific comparable data isn't provided, the annual spend appears within a reasonable range for comprehensive IT support for a department like the Interior. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but a detailed analysis of the scope of work against the price would be needed for a definitive value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This specific procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the final bidding stage. This could be due to specific technical requirements or prior relationships. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method implies more than one offer was considered, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into the justification.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, even if justified, may have resulted in a slightly higher price than a truly open competition with all potential bidders. Taxpayers benefit from the competitive aspect, but the exclusion of sources could mean missed opportunities for potentially lower bids.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of the Interior benefit from reliable IT help desk and desktop support, ensuring operational continuity. The services delivered include technical assistance, troubleshooting, and maintenance of computer systems, directly impacting employee productivity. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Interior's various offices, likely concentrated in Washington D.C. and other major operational hubs. The contract supports the IT workforce by ensuring that essential support functions are managed, allowing agency IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method needs clear justification to ensure fairness and optimal pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness beyond basic service delivery.
The contract's duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed with clear exit strategies and performance reviews.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration of six years suggests a stable and predictable IT support environment for the agency.
The award to a single entity, NUAXIS LLC, indicates a focused and potentially specialized service provider.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on IT support services. The market for IT support and managed services is highly competitive, with numerous providers ranging from small businesses to large corporations. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on technology across all government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically look at the cost per user or cost per support ticket for similar-sized organizations. The Department of the Interior's need for robust IT infrastructure and user support is a common requirement across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this contract, nor are there explicit mentions of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best overall offer, rather than specifically promoting small business participation. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless NUAXIS LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors, which is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Performance reviews, service level agreements (SLAs), and regular reporting from NUAXIS LLC would be key accountability measures. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Help Desk Services
Desktop Support Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal IT Procurement
Departmental IT Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Contract duration may pose risks if not actively managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $28.1 million to NUAXIS LLC. IGF::OT::IGF HELP DESK AND DESKTOP SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NUAXIS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-11-16. End: 2023-11-15.

What was the specific justification for excluding certain sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement method?

The justification for excluding specific sources in a 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' procurement typically relates to stringent technical requirements, unique capabilities, or the need for compatibility with existing systems that only a limited number of vendors can meet. Agencies must document these justifications thoroughly to ensure the exclusion is fair, reasonable, and in the government's best interest. Without access to the specific solicitation documents and agency justifications, it's impossible to determine the exact reasons for excluding sources in this particular contract. This exclusion method, while sometimes necessary, can limit competition and potentially increase costs compared to a truly open bid process.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to the average IT support spending per employee within the Department of the Interior or similar federal agencies?

To compare the annual cost of this contract ($4.68 million) to the average IT support spending per employee, we would need the total number of employees supported by this contract within the Department of the Interior. Federal IT spending per employee can vary significantly based on agency mission, the complexity of IT systems, and the level of support provided. General benchmarks for federal IT support per employee can range from $1,000 to $3,000 annually, but this is a broad estimate. If this contract supports several thousand employees, the annual cost might be reasonable. A precise comparison requires knowing the employee count and the specific services included in the contract scope.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how has NUAXIS LLC performed against them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, IT help desk and desktop support contracts would include metrics such as average response time for tickets, resolution rates, user satisfaction scores, and system uptime. Performance against these KPIs and SLAs is crucial for assessing the value and effectiveness of the contractor's services. Without this information, it is difficult to definitively evaluate NUAXIS LLC's performance beyond the fact that the contract was awarded and is presumably being executed. Agencies usually track these metrics and use them for contractor performance evaluations.

What is NUAXIS LLC's track record with federal IT support contracts, particularly those of similar size and scope?

NUAXIS LLC has been awarded this $28.1 million contract for IT help desk and desktop support services by the Department of the Interior. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past federal contract awards, focusing on IT services, help desk support, and desktop management. Information on contract values, performance ratings (if available), and the agencies they have served would be relevant. A review of their history might reveal patterns in contract types, successful past performances, or any past performance issues. Without a broader database search, it's difficult to provide a comprehensive assessment of their overall federal track record beyond this specific award.

Has the Department of the Interior experienced any significant IT disruptions or service outages that could be linked to the support provided under this contract?

The provided data does not contain information regarding specific IT disruptions or service outages experienced by the Department of the Interior that could be directly linked to the support provided by NUAXIS LLC under this contract. Assessing such impacts would require access to internal agency incident reports, performance reviews, and potentially Inspector General findings. The duration of the contract (six years) means that performance over time is a key factor. While the contract's existence implies a need for support, it doesn't inherently indicate the quality or reliability of that support without further performance data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: D17PS00267

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8605 WESTWOOD CENTER DR STE 300, VIENNA, VA, 22182

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,667,005

Exercised Options: $28,803,053

Current Obligation: $28,090,877

Actual Outlays: $20,269,893

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F0689Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline