DoD awards $24M IT help desk contract to C4 Planning Solutions, LLC for one year

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,982,667 ($24.0M)

Contractor: C4 Planning Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-03-07

End Date: 2026-03-06

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $65.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: HELP DESK SUPPORT SERVICES, ORDERING PERIOD 4

Place of Performance

Location: CAMP PENDLETON, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92055

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.0 million to C4 PLANNING SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: HELP DESK SUPPORT SERVICES, ORDERING PERIOD 4 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a one-year IT help desk service requirement. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and the ability to scale services if needed. 4. This contract supports essential IT infrastructure for the Department of the Navy. 5. The IT services sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and evolving needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $24 million for a one-year period for help desk support services appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. However, given the scope of services typically involved in comprehensive help desk support, the pricing seems competitive, especially considering it was awarded under full and open competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method of procurement generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open competition suggests that the agency sought the best value from a wide range of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for cost savings and improved service quality due to the competitive nature of the procurement process.

Public Impact

End-users within the Department of the Navy will benefit from accessible and responsive IT support. The contract ensures the delivery of essential help desk services, including troubleshooting, technical assistance, and issue resolution. Services are likely to be delivered across various Department of the Navy locations within California. The contract may have implications for the IT workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for help desk technicians and support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service disruptions if contractor performance falters.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT support functions.
Risk of scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract duration of one year allows for performance evaluation before renewal.
Fixed-price contract type can provide cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a vast and dynamic market, encompassing a wide range of support functions from basic help desk operations to complex system integration. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, driven by the government's reliance on technology for operations and national security. This contract for help desk support fits within the broader category of IT professional services, which is a significant segment of federal IT procurement. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT help desk services can vary widely based on the number of users supported, complexity of the IT environment, and service level agreements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses were eligible to compete and likely won the award. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this contract are limited unless they are part of a larger prime contractor's team or are awarded subcontracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the Department of the Navy contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected or reported.

Related Government Programs

IT Help Desk Services
IT Professional Services
Department of the Navy IT Support
Federal IT Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Cybersecurity risks associated with third-party IT support.
Performance variability among IT support contractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.0 million to C4 PLANNING SOLUTIONS, LLC. HELP DESK SUPPORT SERVICES, ORDERING PERIOD 4

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is C4 PLANNING SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-07. End: 2026-03-06.

What is the track record of C4 PLANNING SOLUTIONS, LLC in providing similar IT help desk services to the federal government?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess C4 Planning Solutions, LLC's track record. Specifically, one would look for past performance information on contracts for IT help desk support, technical assistance, and related services. Key indicators would include contract values, duration, customer satisfaction ratings (if available), and any documented performance issues or awards. Understanding their experience with the Department of the Navy or similar large federal agencies would also be crucial. Without specific past performance data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their capabilities and reliability for this specific requirement.

How does the awarded price of $23,982,666.67 compare to market rates for similar IT help desk services?

Benchmarking this contract's value against market rates requires detailed analysis of the scope of services, number of users supported, geographic coverage, and service level agreements (SLAs). For a one-year contract supporting an unknown number of Department of the Navy personnel, $24 million is a significant sum. However, federal IT support contracts often include stringent security requirements, 24/7 availability, and specialized technical expertise that can drive up costs compared to commercial help desks. A thorough comparison would involve analyzing data from similar federal contracts and potentially commercial IT service providers offering comparable enterprise-level support to ascertain if the price represents good value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks include potential contractor underperformance leading to service disruptions, cybersecurity vulnerabilities if not properly managed, and the possibility of cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond the initial agreement. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight, clearly defined performance metrics and SLAs, regular performance reviews, and adherence to strict cybersecurity protocols. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, provided the scope remains controlled. The one-year duration also allows for reassessment of performance and risks before a longer-term commitment.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach in ensuring the best value for taxpayers in this IT services contract?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring the best value for taxpayers because it maximizes the pool of potential bidders, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. By allowing all responsible sources to participate, the government can compare a wider range of offers based on both price and technical merit. This competitive pressure incentivizes contractors to offer their best possible terms. However, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the rigor of the evaluation process to ensure the lowest price isn't chosen at the expense of critical performance factors.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT help desk support services within the Department of the Navy?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT help desk support within the Department of the Navy would involve examining contract data over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, the number of contracts awarded, the types of services procured, and the primary contractors. Understanding this history helps in assessing whether the current $24 million award is consistent with past spending, represents an increase or decrease, and if there have been shifts in procurement strategies or contractor utilization. Significant deviations from historical patterns might warrant further investigation into the underlying reasons.

What are the implications of this contract award on the IT workforce, both within the government and the contractor's organization?

This contract award to C4 Planning Solutions, LLC implies a potential shift in IT support responsibilities away from government personnel towards contractor staff. This could lead to a reduction in the need for in-house government IT support specialists, while simultaneously creating job opportunities within C4 Planning Solutions, LLC for help desk technicians, system administrators, and related IT professionals. The specific impact on the government workforce would depend on whether this contract replaces existing government functions or supplements them. It also raises questions about knowledge transfer and retention of institutional IT knowledge within the agency.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: M6890922R7602

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4914 DEANS BRIDGE RD, BLYTHE, GA, 30805

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,982,667

Exercised Options: $23,982,667

Current Obligation: $23,982,667

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: M6890922D7602

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline