USDA awards $2.3M contract for SNAP-Ed connection support to Panum Telecom, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,327,276 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Panum Telecom, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-09-12

End Date: 2025-09-26

Contract Duration: 1,110 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SNAP-ED CONNECTION SUPPORT CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.3 million to PANUM TELECOM, L.L.C. for work described as: SNAP-ED CONNECTION SUPPORT CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Contract aims to enhance support for SNAP-Ed connection initiatives. 2. Panum Telecom, L.L.C. secured this contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is approximately 3 years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. The award type is a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract vehicle. 5. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 6. This contract falls under custom computer programming services, aligning with IT support needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.3 million over approximately three years appears reasonable for custom computer programming services supporting a federal program. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support and program management within the Department of Agriculture would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost control, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment challenging without further context on deliverables and outcomes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency sought proposals from all responsible sources, suggesting a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions, ultimately aiming for the best value.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the SNAP-Ed program. Services delivered will support the connection and effectiveness of SNAP-Ed initiatives. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, given the scope of SNAP and SNAP-Ed. Workforce implications may involve IT specialists and program support personnel within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's track record on this specific award.
The duration of the contract (over 3 years) necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value and performance.
Without details on the competition, it's hard to gauge the full extent of price discovery achieved.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contract supports a critical federal nutrition assistance program (SNAP-Ed).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. The market for such services is vast and highly competitive, with numerous companies offering specialized solutions. Federal agencies frequently procure IT services to support program management, data analysis, and system development. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies would provide further context on its market positioning.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated by a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor may still engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would contribute to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) within the Department of Agriculture. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available. The Inspector General's office for the Department of Agriculture would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any irregularities were suspected.

Related Government Programs

SNAP Program
SNAP-Ed Program
Department of Agriculture IT Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep despite fixed-price contract.
Need for ongoing monitoring of contractor performance over the contract duration.
Reliance on technology that could become outdated.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in public award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.3 million to PANUM TELECOM, L.L.C.. SNAP-ED CONNECTION SUPPORT CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PANUM TELECOM, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Food and Nutrition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-12. End: 2025-09-26.

What is the specific nature of the 'connection support' being provided under this contract?

The contract, titled 'SNAP-ED CONNECTION SUPPORT CONTRACT,' suggests services aimed at facilitating or improving the connection between SNAP beneficiaries and the educational components of the SNAP-Ed program. This could encompass a range of activities, such as developing or maintaining digital platforms for information dissemination, creating user-friendly interfaces for program access, providing technical assistance to program administrators or participants, or supporting data integration efforts between SNAP and SNAP-Ed systems. The specific deliverables would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, outlining the exact technical and programmatic support Panum Telecom, L.L.C. is expected to provide to enhance the effectiveness and reach of SNAP-Ed initiatives.

How does the $2.3 million award compare to typical spending on similar IT support contracts within the Department of Agriculture?

The $2.3 million award for custom computer programming services over approximately three years is within a common range for federal IT support contracts. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts with similar scopes of work, such as program support, system development, or technical assistance, within the Department of Agriculture or similar agencies. Factors like the complexity of the systems supported, the level of customization required, and the specific expertise needed influence pricing. Without access to detailed contract line item data or a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a particularly high or low investment relative to the market. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the agency sought cost certainty.

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

Primary risks include potential underperformance by the contractor, scope creep, or the technology becoming outdated. Underperformance could lead to delays or inefficiencies in supporting SNAP-Ed connection initiatives, impacting program outreach. Scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, could lead to cost overruns, although the firm fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Technological obsolescence is a risk in IT contracts; however, the contract's duration (ending in 2025) suggests it was planned with current technology in mind. Mitigation strategies likely involve clear performance standards in the statement of work, regular progress reviews, and robust contract management by the FNS. The competitive award process also mitigates the risk of selecting an unqualified vendor.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the effectiveness of the SNAP-Ed program?

This contract is expected to enhance the effectiveness of the SNAP-Ed program by improving the 'connection' aspect, which likely refers to how beneficiaries engage with and benefit from the program's educational resources. By providing custom computer programming and support, Panum Telecom, L.L.C. can help streamline access to information, improve user experience on digital platforms, facilitate data management for program evaluation, or enhance communication channels. Ultimately, a more robust and user-friendly support system should lead to better program delivery, increased participant engagement, and potentially improved nutritional outcomes for SNAP beneficiaries, thereby strengthening the overall impact of SNAP-Ed.

What has been the historical spending pattern for SNAP-Ed connection support or similar IT services by the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for SNAP-Ed connection support specifically are not readily available in summary form. However, the Department of Agriculture, like most federal agencies, consistently invests significant funds in IT services, including custom programming, system maintenance, and support for various program initiatives. The $2.3 million awarded to Panum Telecom, L.L.C. represents a portion of this broader IT expenditure. Analyzing past contracts for similar IT support functions within the Food and Nutrition Service or other USDA agencies would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and types of services procured. This specific award appears to be a single delivery order, suggesting it might be part of a larger, potentially multi-year, contracting strategy for IT support.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

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: 7315 WISCONSIN AVE, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,327,276

Exercised Options: $2,327,276

Current Obligation: $2,327,276

Actual Outlays: $2,327,276

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA18D00HA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline