USDA's $3.08M IT Services Contract with Avantgarde LLC Faces Oversight Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,076,635 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Avantgarde LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-06-27

End Date: 2026-03-18

Contract Duration: 1,360 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: MONITORS CONTRACT PERFORMANCE FOR ACTIVE IT CONTRACTS AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN ACQUISITION PLANNING FOR IT PROCUREMENTS OF VARYING COMPLEXITY AND SIZE. THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE BUSINESS ANALYSIS SUPPORT TO FPAC ISD CONTRACTING OFFICER RE

Place of Performance

Location: ROUND ROCK, WILLIAMSON County, TEXAS, 78664

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.1 million to AVANTGARDE LLC for work described as: MONITORS CONTRACT PERFORMANCE FOR ACTIVE IT CONTRACTS AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN ACQUISITION PLANNING FOR IT PROCUREMENTS OF VARYING COMPLEXITY AND SIZE. THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE BUSINESS ANALYSIS SUPPORT TO FPAC ISD CONTRACTING OFFICER RE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on IT contract performance monitoring and acquisition planning. 2. Avantgarde LLC holds the contract, awarded by the Department of Agriculture. 3. The contract is classified as 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519). 4. Award was a Delivery Order, indicating it's part of a larger agreement. 5. Contract duration extends to March 2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $3.08M over its term is difficult to benchmark without specific service details. The 'Other Computer Related Services' category is broad, making direct comparisons challenging. Further details on the scope of work are needed for a robust value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a sole-source or limited competition procurement. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price for these IT services, potentially impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on effective IT systems managed and planned for by government contractors. This contract supports the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, impacting financial operations. The duration and value suggest a significant, ongoing need for IT support. Transparency in sole-source awards is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Broad NAICS code makes specific service and cost benchmarking difficult.
Contract performance monitoring details are not provided.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical IT functions within the Department of Agriculture.
Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is vast, with this contract falling under 'Other Computer Related Services'. Benchmarking is difficult without specific deliverables, but IT support contracts can range significantly in price based on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract involves 'MONITORS CONTRACT PERFORMANCE', suggesting an oversight function is built-in. However, the specific mechanisms and effectiveness of this oversight are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Office of the Chief Financial Officer Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Broad service category hinders specific cost analysis.
Lack of detail on performance metrics.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.1 million to AVANTGARDE LLC. MONITORS CONTRACT PERFORMANCE FOR ACTIVE IT CONTRACTS AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN ACQUISITION PLANNING FOR IT PROCUREMENTS OF VARYING COMPLEXITY AND SIZE. THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE BUSINESS ANALYSIS SUPPORT TO FPAC ISD CONTRACTING OFFICER RE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AVANTGARDE LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-27. End: 2026-03-18.

What specific IT services are being procured under this contract, and how do they align with the agency's mission?

The provided data classifies the services under NAICS code 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services') and mentions 'MONITORS CONTRACT PERFORMANCE FOR ACTIVE IT CONTRACTS AND PROVIDE TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN ACQUISITION PLANNING'. This suggests support for IT procurement processes and oversight. However, the exact nature of the IT systems or services being monitored or planned for is not specified, making it difficult to assess their direct alignment with the Department of Agriculture's core mission objectives.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?

The contract is marked as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', indicating a sole-source justification. Without further details on this justification (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need), it's impossible to assess its validity. Typically, sole-source awards require rigorous justification to ensure fair and reasonable pricing, often involving market research or certified cost and pricing data, which are not detailed here.

How is the contractor's performance being measured and evaluated to ensure effective IT support and contract monitoring?

The contract description states the contractor will 'MONITORS CONTRACT PERFORMANCE'. However, the provided data does not specify the metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), or evaluation criteria used to assess the contractor's effectiveness. Understanding these details is crucial to determine if the government is receiving the expected value and if the IT support and acquisition planning are truly effective.

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 - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 12314421Q0042

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 305 W LIBERTY AVE STE 200, ROUND ROCK, TX, 78664

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,081,106

Exercised Options: $3,081,106

Current Obligation: $3,076,635

Actual Outlays: $2,953,885

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12314421D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline