Commerce Dept. Spends $757K on Digital Analytics Specialists via BPA Call with SnapIt Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $756,972 ($757.0K)

Contractor: Snapit Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-05-23

End Date: 2023-09-25

Contract Duration: 490 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: DIGITAL ANALYTICS SPECIALISTS

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 $756,971.56 to SNAPIT SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: DIGITAL ANALYTICS SPECIALISTS Key points: 1. High cost for temporary help services suggests potential for cost savings through more competitive bidding. 2. Sole-source nature of the award limits price discovery and may lead to inflated costs. 3. The contract duration of 490 days for specialized services warrants scrutiny for necessity and potential for permanent staffing. 4. Lack of small business participation is noted, potentially missing opportunities for diverse vendor engagement.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure, without a clear ceiling or competitive benchmark, makes it difficult to assess value. The total award of $756,971.56 for temporary help services appears high without further justification.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP and awarded via a BPA Call, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not have explored the full market for digital analytics specialists, potentially impacting price discovery and overall cost-effectiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the limited competition and Time and Materials pricing, as the agency did not leverage a fully competitive process to secure the best possible rates.

Public Impact

Citizens may question the expenditure of nearly $757,000 on temporary staffing for digital analytics. The lack of transparency in pricing for specialized temporary services raises concerns about efficient use of public funds. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need that might be better met through permanent hiring or more structured, competitive procurement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Time and Materials pricing
High total award for temporary services

Positive Signals

Services provided to the Department of Commerce
Contract awarded to a single vendor

Sector Analysis

The IT staffing sector, particularly for specialized roles like digital analytics, can be expensive. Benchmarks for temporary help services vary widely, but significant spending like this warrants close examination to ensure it aligns with market rates and project needs.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting with small businesses. This represents a missed opportunity to support small business growth within the federal contracting landscape.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA Call for a significant amount suggests some level of pre-negotiated terms, but the lack of full competition and T&M pricing warrants further oversight to ensure accountability and cost control.

Related Government Programs

Temporary Help Services
Department of Commerce Contracting
Office of the Secretary Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for overpayment due to T&M pricing and limited competition.
Lack of transparency in specific services rendered and their direct mission impact.
High cost for temporary staffing services.
No indication of small business participation.
Long contract duration for temporary help services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $756,971.56 to SNAPIT SOLUTIONS LLC. DIGITAL ANALYTICS SPECIALISTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SNAPIT SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $756,971.56.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-23. End: 2023-09-25.

What specific digital analytics functions were performed under this contract, and how did they directly support the Department of Commerce's mission?

The contract was for 'DIGITAL ANALYTICS SPECIALISTS' under 'Temporary Help Services'. While the specific functions are not detailed, these specialists typically analyze data to improve digital strategies, user engagement, and campaign effectiveness. Their work likely supported the Office of the Secretary's objectives by providing insights into online presence, public outreach, or internal data utilization, though the direct mission impact requires further clarification.

Given the Time and Materials pricing and limited competition, what steps were taken to ensure the hourly rates were reasonable and reflected fair market value?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded via a 'BPA CALL'. Without a full competitive process, it's unclear what specific steps were taken to benchmark hourly rates against fair market value. Agencies typically rely on GSA schedules, historical pricing, or commercial price lists, but the absence of a competitive bid makes verification challenging and raises concerns about potential overpayment.

How does the $756,971.56 expenditure for 490 days of temporary digital analytics support compare to the cost of hiring permanent federal employees with similar skill sets?

The expenditure of approximately $1,545 per day ($756,971.56 / 490 days) for temporary digital analytics specialists is substantial. Comparing this to the cost of permanent federal employees requires analyzing salary data, benefits, and overhead for equivalent GS levels. Often, temporary staffing can be more expensive in the long run than permanent hires due to lack of institutional knowledge transfer and potentially higher hourly rates, suggesting a need to evaluate the long-term staffing strategy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7780 W 119TH ST, OVERLAND PARK, KS, 66213

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,200,799

Exercised Options: $756,972

Current Obligation: $756,972

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L521A13500030

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline