DoD's $11.8M BLCSE Support Services contract awarded to Janus Research Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,795,974 ($11.8M)

Contractor: Janus Research Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-04-26

End Date: 2012-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,892 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BLCSE SUPPORT SERVICES/LABOR

Place of Performance

Location: AUGUSTA, RICHMOND County, GEORGIA, 30905

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.8 million to JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC for work described as: BLCSE SUPPORT SERVICES/LABOR Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's duration of 1892 days (approx. 5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The award type 'DO' suggests a priority rating, potentially impacting delivery timelines. 4. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Janus Research Group, LLC. 5. The contract is for Custom Computer Programming Services, a key area for IT support. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a major component of the DoD. 7. The contract was awarded in Georgia, indicating a specific geographic focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The fixed-price nature suggests cost certainty for the government, but the total value over nearly five years needs to be assessed against the delivered services and outcomes. Given the lack of detailed performance data, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the competitive award process is a positive indicator for price discovery.

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 a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The absence of limitations suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down prices through market forces and increasing the likelihood of selecting the best value solution.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from specialized computer programming services to support its BLCSE (Broadband Local Communications Service Equipment) operations. This contract ensures the continued availability and functionality of critical IT infrastructure for military communications. The services delivered likely contribute to the operational readiness and efficiency of Army units. The geographic impact is centered in Georgia, where the contract was awarded and likely performed. The contract supports the IT workforce by engaging a private sector contractor for specialized programming tasks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the true value and effectiveness of the services provided.
The 'DO' award type, indicating a priority rating, could potentially divert resources from other less critical government needs.
The long contract duration might lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully with performance reviews.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract supports a critical function within the Department of Defense (BLCSE).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically Custom Computer Programming Services. The IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with significant government spending allocated to software development, maintenance, and support. The Department of Defense is a major consumer of these services, utilizing them for everything from operational systems to administrative functions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other IT service contracts awarded by the DoD or other federal agencies for similar scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus was on full and open competition, which typically involves larger, established firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specific services for an agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DoD IT Services
Custom Computer Programming
Army Communications Support
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) contracts
Federal IT Procurement

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or obsolescence.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to contract length.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.8 million to JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC. BLCSE SUPPORT SERVICES/LABOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JANUS RESEARCH GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-26. End: 2012-06-30.

What is the specific nature of the BLCSE support services provided under this contract?

The contract data identifies the service as 'BLCSE SUPPORT SERVICES/LABOR' and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 541511, 'Custom Computer Programming Services.' This suggests the services involve the development, modification, installation, or support of computer systems and software for the Broadband Local Communications Service Equipment (BLCSE) used by the Department of the Army. This could encompass a range of activities such as software coding, system integration, database management, network programming, and technical support related to the BLCSE infrastructure. Without more granular details, the exact scope remains broad but centers on specialized IT programming expertise.

How does the $11.8 million contract value compare to similar custom computer programming services contracts awarded by the Department of the Army?

Comparing the $11.8 million value requires context regarding the contract's duration and scope. This contract spans approximately five years (1892 days), making its annual value around $2.36 million. The Department of the Army awards numerous IT service contracts, many of which are significantly larger, especially those involving large-scale system development or enterprise-wide solutions. However, for a contract focused on specific programming services for a particular equipment set like BLCSE, $2.36 million annually could be within a reasonable range, assuming the scope is well-defined and manageable. A comprehensive comparison would necessitate analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes, durations, and specific service descriptions awarded within the same timeframe.

What are the key risks associated with a five-year Firm Fixed Price contract for custom computer programming?

A significant risk with a long-term Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for custom programming is scope creep. If the requirements evolve substantially over the five years, the contractor may struggle to deliver within the fixed price, potentially leading to disputes or a decline in quality. Conversely, the government risks paying for services that become obsolete or less critical if the technology landscape shifts rapidly. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider, potentially hindering future flexibility or innovation. Ensuring robust change management processes and regular performance reviews is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does the 'DO' award type signify for this contract and its implications?

The 'DO' award type typically signifies a priority rating assigned by the government, indicating that the contract is considered essential for national defense or other critical national interests. This rating means that the contractor is authorized to request preferential treatment from suppliers for materials, equipment, and services needed to fulfill the contract. For this BLCSE support services contract, it suggests that the timely delivery of these programming services is deemed crucial for the Department of the Army's operations. While it ensures priority for the contractor, it could potentially impact the availability of resources for other, lower-priority contracts.

What is the historical spending pattern for BLCSE support services or similar custom programming contracts within the Department of the Army?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for BLCSE support services specifically would require access to detailed historical contract databases. However, the Department of the Army consistently spends billions of dollars annually on IT services, including custom computer programming. Contracts for specialized support like this are common, often awarded through competitive processes. Spending trends in this area are generally driven by modernization efforts, cybersecurity needs, and the ongoing requirement to maintain and upgrade complex communication and information systems. The duration and value of this particular contract suggest a stable, ongoing requirement rather than a one-time project.

How does the selection of Janus Research Group, LLC, align with the contractor's past performance or track record?

The provided data only includes the awardee's name (Janus Research Group, LLC) and does not contain information about their past performance or track record. To assess alignment, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous contract awards to Janus Research Group, LLC, and review any associated performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. A positive track record with similar IT services, particularly within the defense sector, would indicate a lower risk for this contract. Conversely, a history of performance issues or contract disputes would raise concerns about the suitability of the awardee.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6504 RESERVOIR RD, APPLING, GA, 12

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,827,474

Exercised Options: $11,795,974

Current Obligation: $11,795,974

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0261K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline