State Department awards $2.5M task order for data management and security admin services to Tatitlek Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,538,258 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Tatitlek Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR DATA MANAGER AND SECURITY ADMIN POSITIONS

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $2.5 million to TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR DATA MANAGER AND SECURITY ADMIN POSITIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Duration of 4 years suggests a need for sustained support. 3. Labor hours pricing mechanism can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. Services fall under administrative management consulting, a broad category. 5. Geographic location in Alaska may impact labor costs and availability. 6. No small business set-aside indicates potential missed opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $2.5M over four years for data management and security administration appears reasonable for specialized IT support. However, without comparable sole-source contracts or detailed labor rate breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The labor hours pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure efficiency and prevent cost creep. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts, especially those competed, would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning Tatitlek Federal Services was the only vendor considered. This approach bypasses the competitive bidding process, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities or urgent needs), they inherently reduce price discovery and may not yield the best value for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from the cost savings and improved service offerings that competitive bidding usually provides.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from essential data management and security administration services. Ensures the integrity and security of sensitive government data. Supports the operational efficiency of the State Department, particularly in Alaska. Potentially impacts the IT workforce within the State Department by outsourcing specialized roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Labor hours contract type can be susceptible to scope creep and cost overruns.
Lack of transparency in pricing due to sole-source nature.

Positive Signals

Addresses critical data management and security needs.
Long-term contract duration suggests stability and continuity of services.
Awarded to a specific entity, potentially indicating specialized expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services and administrative management consulting sector. The market for data management and cybersecurity professionals is highly competitive, with significant demand from government agencies. While this is a task order under an IDIQ, the specific services provided are crucial for maintaining secure and efficient government operations. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts awarded by other federal agencies could offer insights into pricing and service delivery models.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, Tatitlek Federal Services LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. This means opportunities for small business subcontracting may be limited unless proactively pursued by the prime. The absence of a small business set-aside could represent a missed opportunity to foster growth and participation within the small business ecosystem for these specialized services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the task order's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award; however, contract award data is publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of State IT Services
Federal Data Management Contracts
Cybersecurity Support Services
Administrative Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Labor hours pricing
Potential for cost overruns
Limited price competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $2.5 million to TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR DATA MANAGER AND SECURITY ADMIN POSITIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of Tatitlek Federal Services LLC in delivering similar data management and security administration services to the federal government?

Assessing the track record of Tatitlek Federal Services LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) for relevant awards and performance evaluations. Specific attention should be paid to contracts of similar size, scope, and duration, particularly those involving data management, cybersecurity, and administrative support. Understanding their history of meeting deadlines, staying within budget, and satisfying client requirements is crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this task order. Without this specific performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability and expertise for this role.

How does the $2.5M value compare to similar sole-source contracts for data management and security administration services?

Comparing the $2.5M value of this sole-source contract requires access to data on comparable sole-source awards for similar services. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when competition is not feasible, making direct value comparisons challenging. However, if similar services were procured competitively, that data could serve as a benchmark. The duration of four years (1460 days) suggests an average annual value of approximately $625,000. This figure needs to be evaluated against market rates for specialized IT personnel in Alaska, considering the labor-hours pricing model. Without specific benchmarks for sole-source awards or detailed labor rates, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents optimal value, but the lack of competition inherently limits the potential for cost savings.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, labor-hours contract for critical IT support?

The primary risks associated with this sole-source, labor-hours contract are twofold. Firstly, the sole-source nature eliminates competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices than might be achieved through a competitive bidding process. This reduces the government's leverage in price negotiation and may result in less favorable terms. Secondly, the labor-hours pricing model, while flexible, carries the risk of cost overruns if not meticulously managed. Without a fixed price, there's an incentive for contractors to bill for more hours than strictly necessary, especially if oversight is insufficient. This can lead to the contract exceeding its $2.5M ceiling if not carefully monitored for efficiency and scope adherence, impacting overall value for taxpayers.

What is the expected effectiveness of these services in enhancing the Department of State's data security and management in Alaska?

The effectiveness of these services hinges on the specific expertise of Tatitlek Federal Services LLC and the clarity of the task order's statement of work. Data management and security administration are critical functions for any agency, especially one handling sensitive information. If the contractor provides skilled personnel and adheres to best practices, the services should enhance data integrity, access control, and overall security posture. The geographic focus on Alaska might imply specific regional IT challenges or requirements that the contractor is expected to address. Ultimately, effectiveness will be measured by the contractor's ability to meet performance metrics outlined in the contract and contribute to the Department of State's mission objectives in that region.

How does historical spending on administrative management and general management consulting services by the Department of State compare to this award?

To assess historical spending, one would need to analyze the Department of State's procurement data over several fiscal years, specifically filtering for the NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). This analysis would reveal the total amount spent in this category, the number of contracts awarded, and the distribution between competitive and non-competitive (including sole-source) awards. Comparing this specific $2.5M task order to the overall historical spending would indicate its relative significance. Understanding the proportion of spending on sole-source versus competitive contracts within this category would also provide context on the Department's procurement strategies and the prevalence of non-competitive awards for such services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM22R0211

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 561 E 36TH AVE STE 400, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,887,847

Exercised Options: $3,887,847

Current Obligation: $2,538,258

Actual Outlays: $313,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM22D0086

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline