State Dept. Awards $10.8M IT Support Contract to Astraeus Operations, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,791,197 ($10.8M)
Contractor: Astraeus Operations, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2025-03-13
End Date: 2027-02-28
Contract Duration: 717 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INL/AIRWING IT SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: PATRICK AFB, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32925
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $10.8 million to ASTRAEUS OPERATIONS, LLC for work described as: INL/AIRWING IT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for IT support services, a critical function for agency operations. 2. Astraeus Operations, LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract value is significant, requiring careful oversight to ensure value for money. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically data processing and web hosting.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $10.8M over approximately two years needs comparison to similar IT support contracts. Without benchmarks, assessing if this price is competitive is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these IT support services.
Public Impact
Citizens rely on the Department of State for various services, many of which are enabled by IT infrastructure. The continuity of IT support is essential for maintaining government operations and public access to information. Astraeus Operations, LLC will be responsible for critical computing infrastructure and data processing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment due to sole-source award
Positive Signals
- Contract supports essential IT infrastructure
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computing infrastructure, data processing, and web hosting. Spending in this area is substantial across federal agencies, with benchmarks varying based on service scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis is needed to determine if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Given the sole-source nature, robust oversight is crucial to ensure performance and prevent cost overruns.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Lack of transparency on justification for sole-source
- No indication of small business participation
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, department-of-state, fl, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $10.8 million to ASTRAEUS OPERATIONS, LLC. INL/AIRWING IT SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ASTRAEUS OPERATIONS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-13. End: 2027-02-28.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for the sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are used when only one responsible source can provide the required services. Agencies must conduct market research and document the rationale for limiting competition to ensure fair and reasonable pricing is obtained through negotiation.
How does the per-unit cost of this IT support compare to industry benchmarks for similar services?
Without specific details on the services provided and their associated costs, a direct per-unit cost comparison to industry benchmarks is not possible. However, the overall contract value of $10.8M for approximately two years suggests a significant investment. A detailed cost analysis against comparable contracts would be necessary to assess value.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured?
The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or details on performance measurement. Effective oversight would require clearly defined KPIs related to uptime, response times, security, and user satisfaction, with regular reporting and evaluation to ensure the contractor meets expectations.
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: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 19AQMM25R0067
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10505 FURNACE RD STE 205, LORTON, VA, 22079
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,408,490
Exercised Options: $19,408,490
Current Obligation: $10,791,197
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM25D0448
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-03-13
Current End Date: 2027-02-28
Potential End Date: 2027-02-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
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