Department of Agriculture awards $4.9M contract for HR applications support to Weems Design Studio, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,896,840 ($4.9M)

Contractor: Weems Design Studio, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-08-31

End Date: 2027-08-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: HUMAN RESOURCES APPLICATIONS SUPPORT AND OPTIMIZATION (HR APPS) UNDER DEPT CONTRACT 12314421A0012

Place of Performance

Location: DECATUR, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30032

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $4.9 million to WEEMS DESIGN STUDIO, INC. for work described as: HUMAN RESOURCES APPLICATIONS SUPPORT AND OPTIMIZATION (HR APPS) UNDER DEPT CONTRACT 12314421A0012 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of IT support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. No specific risk indicators are immediately apparent from the provided data. 4. Performance context is IT application support and optimization, a common government need. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically custom computer programming. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which transfers risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4.9 million over two years for HR application support and optimization seems within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for custom computer programming services would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has secured a defined cost for the services, transferring cost overrun risks to the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method itself suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages a wider pool of qualified vendors to bid, leading to better value.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of Agriculture will benefit from optimized HR applications. Services delivered include support and optimization of Human Resources applications. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting the agency's operations. Workforce implications include ensuring the smooth functioning of HR systems for agency personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process.
Contract duration of two years allows for sustained support.
The contractor is Weems Design Studio, Inc., with a specific contract number provided.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming services (NAICS code 541511). This sector is characterized by a high demand for specialized skills in software development, maintenance, and optimization. The market size for government IT services is substantial, with agencies continually seeking to modernize and improve their internal systems. This contract represents a typical investment in maintaining and enhancing critical HR infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The competition was full and open, meaning small businesses could have participated if they met the qualifications, but it was not specifically targeted towards them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where such awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Human Resources Management Systems
Federal IT Modernization Programs
Custom Software Development Services
Department of Agriculture IT Contracts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $4.9 million to WEEMS DESIGN STUDIO, INC.. HUMAN RESOURCES APPLICATIONS SUPPORT AND OPTIMIZATION (HR APPS) UNDER DEPT CONTRACT 12314421A0012

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WEEMS DESIGN STUDIO, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-31. End: 2027-08-30.

What is the track record of Weems Design Studio, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in HR application support?

A comprehensive review of Weems Design Studio, Inc.'s federal contract history would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes or terminations, and the types of services they have previously provided to government agencies. Specifically, looking for experience with HR application support and optimization would be key. Without access to detailed performance data or a broader contract database, it's difficult to definitively assess their expertise and reliability for this specific task. However, the award of this contract suggests they met the minimum qualifications and were deemed capable by the Department of Agriculture.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar HR IT support contracts within the federal government?

To benchmark this $4.9 million contract, one would need to compare it against similar contracts for HR application support and optimization awarded by other federal agencies over comparable timeframes (approximately two years). Key comparison points would include the scope of services (e.g., maintenance, development, cloud migration), the complexity of the HR systems supported, and the specific technologies involved. Factors like the number of users supported and the agency's size also influence cost. A preliminary assessment suggests the amount is reasonable for specialized IT services, but a detailed market analysis of comparable contracts is required for a definitive value-for-money conclusion.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues (contractor failing to deliver required support or optimization), cost overruns (though mitigated by the Firm Fixed Price structure), and schedule delays. Mitigations are embedded in the contract terms: the FFP structure incentivizes the contractor to manage costs, and the defined period of performance (two years) sets clear expectations. The Department of Agriculture's oversight, including regular performance reviews and defined deliverables, serves as a crucial mitigation strategy. Additionally, the full and open competition process likely selected a vendor with a demonstrated capability to perform these services, reducing initial risk.

How effective is the current HR application suite at the Department of Agriculture, and what is the expected impact of this contract on its effectiveness?

The effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture's current HR application suite is not detailed in the provided data. However, the contract's objective is 'support and optimization,' implying that improvements are sought. This contract is expected to enhance the functionality, reliability, and user experience of the HR systems, leading to more efficient HR processes for the agency. Optimization could involve streamlining workflows, improving data accuracy, enhancing security, or integrating new features. The ultimate impact will be measured by the degree to which these applications better serve the needs of the department's workforce and management.

What has been the historical spending trend for HR application support within the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending trends for HR application support within the Department of Agriculture are not provided in the data. To analyze this, one would need to examine past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This would reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether this $4.9 million award represents a significant shift. Understanding historical spending patterns can help contextualize the current investment and identify potential long-term strategies or budget fluctuations related to HR IT infrastructure.

What specific HR applications are covered under this contract, and what level of optimization is anticipated?

The specific HR applications covered under this contract are not itemized in the provided data. The contract refers generally to 'HUMAN RESOURCES APPLICATIONS SUPPORT AND OPTIMIZATION.' The anticipated level of optimization would depend on the contractor's proposal and the agency's specific needs, but it typically involves improving performance, user interface, functionality, and integration with other systems. This could range from routine maintenance and bug fixes to implementing new modules, enhancing reporting capabilities, or migrating parts of the system to more modern platforms.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2201 LORING CT, DECATUR, GA, 30032

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,007,971

Exercised Options: $4,896,840

Current Obligation: $4,896,840

Actual Outlays: $1,075,594

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12314421A0012

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline