Commerce Department awards $441K contract for logbook data entry to Great Wall Business Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $441,362 ($441.4K)

Contractor: Great Wall Business Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-05-01

End Date: 2027-05-06

Contract Duration: 1,831 days

Daily Burn Rate: $241/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARDING LOGBOOK DATA ENTRY CONTRACT TO CPI

Place of Performance

Location: FARMINGTON HILLS, OAKLAND County, MICHIGAN, 48334

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $441,362 to GREAT WALL BUSINESS SERVICES, INC. for work described as: AWARDING LOGBOOK DATA ENTRY CONTRACT TO CPI Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential logbook data entry services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competed award under SAP. 3. Performance period spans over four years, suggesting long-term need. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty. 5. Awarding agency is the Department of Commerce, specifically NOAA. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 518210. 7. The contract is not a small business set-aside. 8. The contract is not a sole-source award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $441,362 over approximately five years for data entry services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized administrative support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data processing and management services would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, without specific details on the volume of data or complexity of the logbooks, a precise value assessment is challenging. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a competitive process for awards under a certain dollar threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the use of SAP generally aims to encourage competition. This method allows for more streamlined procurement while still seeking multiple offers, which can lead to better pricing and service options for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP allows taxpayers to benefit from potentially lower prices and better service quality due to multiple vendors vying for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of Commerce, who will receive essential data entry services for their logbooks. The services delivered will ensure accurate and organized record-keeping, crucial for scientific research, environmental monitoring, and regulatory compliance. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal agency operations. Workforce implications are likely to involve administrative and data processing roles, potentially supporting the contractor's workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in the provided data makes it difficult to assess performance quality.
The duration of the contract (over 4 years) could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed effectively.
Limited insight into the specific nature and volume of 'logbook data' raises questions about the scope and potential for cost overruns if not clearly defined.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating an effort to achieve fair market value.
The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The award is to a company with a name suggesting a potentially broad range of business services, which could imply capacity.
The contract is for essential administrative functions, supporting core agency operations.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, specifically focusing on data processing and hosting, is a critical component of government operations. This contract falls under NAICS code 518210, which covers providers of computing infrastructure, data processing, and related services. The market for these services is vast, with numerous companies offering solutions ranging from cloud hosting to specialized data management. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to manage increasing volumes of data efficiently and securely.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there information indicating significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The focus appears to be on fulfilling a specific service requirement through a competed process. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting roles, which is not specified here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Commerce's internal procurement and program management offices, with potential involvement from the NOAA's program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, particularly the Firm Fixed Price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver services within the agreed cost. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are recorded, though detailed performance data may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Data Management Services
Government IT Infrastructure Support
Administrative Support Contracts
NOAA Operational Support
Department of Commerce IT Procurement

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics
Limited information on contractor's past performance
Scope of 'logbook data' not fully defined

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $441,362 to GREAT WALL BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.. AWARDING LOGBOOK DATA ENTRY CONTRACT TO CPI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GREAT WALL BUSINESS SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $441,362.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-01. End: 2027-05-06.

What is the specific nature and volume of the 'logbook data' being processed under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature or volume of the 'logbook data'. This information is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the contract's scope and for accurately benchmarking its value. Logbooks can range from operational logs for vessels and aircraft to scientific observation records or administrative activity logs. The complexity and quantity of entries directly impact the effort required for data entry and processing. Without this detail, assessing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the $441,362 award is challenging. Further inquiry with the awarding agency (NOAA) would be necessary to obtain these specifics and conduct a more thorough analysis of the contract's value proposition.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar data entry and processing services?

Benchmarking the awarded price of $441,362 over approximately five years against market rates for similar data entry and processing services requires more granular data on the contract's scope. Factors such as the volume of data, complexity of entry, required accuracy levels, and turnaround times significantly influence market pricing. While the contract was competed under SAP, which aims for competitive pricing, specific comparisons are difficult without knowing the exact deliverables. Generally, specialized data processing for government agencies can command premium pricing due to security, compliance, and reliability requirements. A detailed market analysis would involve comparing the per-record or per-hour cost against industry standards for comparable tasks.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided award data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These metrics are essential for objectively measuring the contractor's performance and ensuring the government receives the expected quality and timeliness of service. Typical KPIs for data entry contracts might include accuracy rates, data entry speed (e.g., records per hour), turnaround time for data processing, and data integrity checks. The absence of this information in the public award details makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance risk and the overall effectiveness of the service delivery. These details are usually found in the contract's statement of work or performance work statement.

What is the track record of Great Wall Business Services, Inc. in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Great Wall Business Services, Inc. in performing similar government contracts is not detailed in the provided award data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance history, including any past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes on previous federal or state contracts. Companies with a proven history in data processing, IT services, or administrative support for federal agencies are generally considered lower risk. Without this historical context, evaluating the contractor's reliability and capability to successfully execute this specific logbook data entry contract is limited.

What is the historical spending pattern for logbook data entry services by NOAA or the Department of Commerce?

The provided data focuses on a single award and does not offer historical spending patterns for logbook data entry services by NOAA or the Department of Commerce. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze procurement data over several fiscal years, identifying all contracts related to data entry, data processing, and logbook management within these agencies. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, primary contractors, and the evolution of spending in this category. Such historical context is vital for identifying potential increases or decreases in spending, assessing budget allocation, and understanding the long-term reliance on external contractors for these services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 1305M322QNFFN0019

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 31700 W 13 MILE RD STE 205, FARMINGTON HILLS, MI, 48334

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $441,362

Exercised Options: $441,362

Current Obligation: $441,362

Actual Outlays: $119,228

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline