Commerce Department awards $8.5M IT services contract to Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,556,640 ($8.6M)

Contractor: Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-08-06

End Date: 2025-05-19

Contract Duration: 1,382 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: OTHER

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $8.6 million to GOLDBELT HAWK L.L.C. for work described as: SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: OTHER Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework for services. 2. The contract's duration of 1382 days suggests a need for sustained IT support. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to a broad range of computer-related services. 5. Awarded to a single contractor, Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C., for the duration of the contract. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $8.56 million over approximately 3.8 years averages to about $2.25 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs. The absence of a specific task order breakdown or detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value-for-money assessment difficult at this stage. Further analysis would require comparing the specific services rendered against industry standards and the pricing of comparable contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific mechanism used was a BPA Call, which implies that a broader BPA was previously competed, and this call is a specific order against that agreement. The number of bidders for the original BPA or this specific call is not provided, which limits the assessment of the competitive intensity. However, 'full and open' is generally the most competitive scenario.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is intended to drive down prices through robust bidding, potentially leading to better value for taxpayers. It ensures that the government explores a wide range of options before selecting a contractor.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce benefits from IT support services to maintain its operational infrastructure. Services likely include IT management, maintenance, and potentially development or consulting, depending on the specific NAICS code interpretation. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the Office of the Secretary is located. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of IT professionals by Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C. to fulfill the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed service descriptions makes it difficult to assess if the scope aligns with the price.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders for the original BPA or this specific call.
No explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals could limit opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
BPA Call mechanism implies a pre-vetted contractor pool, potentially streamlining service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is vast and highly competitive, encompassing a wide range of support, development, and consulting activities. Contracts like this, under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), often involve general IT support, network management, or system integration. The federal government is a significant consumer of IT services, with spending often channeled through large IDIQs, GWACs, and BPAs. This contract fits within the broader category of IT support services, a consistent area of federal expenditure.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to be specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there explicit information regarding small business subcontracting plans. The award to Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C. (assuming it is not a small business itself, which requires further verification) suggests that larger firms or those not qualifying for set-asides were the primary focus. This could mean missed opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract's execution, unless Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C. voluntarily includes them in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Commerce's contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA likely has its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is moderate, with basic award details available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected. The firm fixed-price nature provides some inherent accountability by linking payment to deliverables.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
IT Support Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Department of Commerce IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long duration and broad NAICS code.
Limited transparency on the competitive landscape of the underlying BPA.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $8.6 million to GOLDBELT HAWK L.L.C.. SUPPORT- MANAGEMENT: OTHER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOLDBELT HAWK L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-06. End: 2025-05-19.

What specific IT services are encompassed by NAICS code 541519 for this contract?

NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is a broad category that can include a wide array of IT services not classified elsewhere. For this specific contract with the Department of Commerce, it could encompass services such as IT infrastructure management, network administration, cybersecurity support, help desk services, IT consulting, data management, and potentially custom software development or integration. Without a more detailed statement of work or task order specifics, the exact nature of the services remains general. However, given the 'Support - Management: Other' description, it likely leans towards ongoing operational support and management rather than large-scale new development projects.

How does the $8.56 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by the Department of Commerce?

Comparing the $8.56 million contract value requires context regarding the duration and scope of services. This contract spans approximately 3.8 years (1382 days), making the annual value around $2.25 million. The Department of Commerce, like other large federal agencies, procures a significant volume of IT services. Smaller IT support contracts might range from tens of thousands to a few million dollars annually, while larger, more comprehensive IT modernization or enterprise-wide support contracts can reach tens or hundreds of millions. This contract appears to be of moderate size for sustained IT support services within a specific office or program, falling within a common range for such procurements. A precise comparison would necessitate analyzing contracts with identical or highly similar service descriptions and durations.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this duration?

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contracts aim to provide cost certainty. However, for a contract lasting nearly four years, risks can emerge. If the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, the contractor may face difficulties in delivering the required services within the fixed price, potentially leading to reduced quality or requests for contract modifications. Conversely, if the scope is underestimated by the government, they might not receive the full value of services intended. Scope creep, where requirements expand beyond the original agreement without a corresponding price adjustment, is a significant risk. Effective contract management, clear communication, and robust change control processes are crucial to mitigate these risks for long-duration FFP contracts.

What does the 'BPA CALL' award type signify for this contract?

A 'BPA CALL' signifies that this contract is a specific order placed against a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are simplified acquisition vehicles that agencies can establish with vendors to streamline the process of purchasing commonly needed supplies or services. They are not contracts in themselves but rather agreements that set terms, conditions, and pricing for future orders. A 'BPA CALL' is essentially a task order issued under that established BPA. This implies that the vendor, Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C., was previously selected through a competitive process (or other appropriate method) to hold the overarching BPA, and this call represents a specific procurement action against that agreement, likely for a defined set of services and a specific period.

What is the track record of Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C. in performing federal IT contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Goldbelt Hawk L.L.C. in performing federal IT contracts is not directly available within the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would typically need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov (System for Award Management) or FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System) to review past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues. Key aspects to investigate would include their history with similar IT services, contract completion success rates, past performance ratings, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Without this external data, it's impossible to definitively evaluate their past performance.

Industry Classification

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

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

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: 603 PILOT HOUSE DR STE 400, NEWPORT NEWS, VA, 23606

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,556,640

Exercised Options: $8,556,640

Current Obligation: $8,556,640

Actual Outlays: $227,809

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L518A13OS0022

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline