GSA awards $4.78M for talent management SaaS, a logical follow-on to existing services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,784,425 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Monster Government Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2022-04-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,582 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: GSA TALENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTION - SAAS - 2022 LOGICAL FOLLOW ON

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $4.8 million to MONSTER GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: GSA TALENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTION - SAAS - 2022 LOGICAL FOLLOW ON Key points: 1. Contract represents a continuation of services, suggesting a need for ongoing talent management solutions. 2. The Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration of over 4 years suggests a significant, long-term requirement. 5. Focus on Computer Training (NAICS 611420) highlights the importance of workforce development. 6. The award is a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.78 million over approximately 4 years for a talent management SaaS solution appears moderate. Without specific benchmarks for similar GSA talent management platforms or detailed service breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, as it bases charges on actual labor hours and material costs. Comparing this to other GSA IT service contracts of similar scope and duration would be necessary for a more robust evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The data indicates only one bid was received (no: 1), which is a point of concern despite the open competition. A single bid in a full and open competition can sometimes indicate a lack of market interest, unique vendor capabilities, or potential issues with the solicitation that may have deterred other bidders. This could potentially impact price discovery and the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: While full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers, receiving only one bid raises questions about whether taxpayers received the best possible value. It suggests that the government may not have benefited from the full spectrum of market competition, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple bids had been submitted.

Public Impact

Federal employees across various agencies will benefit from improved talent management and training services. The contract supports the delivery of Software as a Service (SaaS) for talent acquisition and management. Services are primarily delivered within the District of Columbia, impacting the local federal workforce. The contract aims to enhance workforce development and training capabilities within the federal government.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (only one bid received) despite full and open solicitation.
Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or outcome-based measures in the provided data.
The specific functionalities and scope of the 'talent management solution' are not fully detailed.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, theoretically allowing broad market participation.
Logical follow-on nature suggests a proven need and potentially a stable service provider.
GSA's involvement indicates adherence to established procurement processes and oversight.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on Software as a Service (SaaS) for human capital management. The market for HR tech and talent management solutions is robust, with significant government and commercial spending. GSA often acts as a central procurement agent for IT services, leveraging its expertise to acquire solutions for various agencies. Benchmarks for similar SaaS talent management solutions can vary widely based on features, user count, and contract duration, but this award appears to be within a typical range for a specialized government solution.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb: false) and set-asides (ss: false) were not applicable to this specific contract award. This suggests that the procurement was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and the prime contractor, Monster Government Solutions, LLC, is likely a larger entity. There is no direct information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data, which means the impact on the small business ecosystem is not directly measurable from this award alone.

Oversight & Accountability

As a GSA contract, this award is subject to GSA's internal oversight mechanisms and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) guidelines. The Office of Administrative Services within GSA is responsible for managing this contract. Transparency is generally maintained through public contract databases like FPDS. Accountability would be enforced through contract performance reviews and adherence to the terms and conditions, including the Time and Materials clauses. The Inspector General for GSA would have jurisdiction over potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA MAS - IT Professional Services
Federal Workforce Development Programs
Human Capital Management Systems
SaaS Procurement Vehicles

Risk Flags

Single Bidder Received
Time and Materials Contract Type
Potential for Cost Overruns
Limited Scope of Competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $4.8 million to MONSTER GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC. GSA TALENT MANAGEMENT SOLUTION - SAAS - 2022 LOGICAL FOLLOW ON

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MONSTER GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Office of Administrative Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of Monster Government Solutions, LLC in delivering similar talent management solutions to the federal government?

Monster Government Solutions, LLC, a subsidiary of Monster Worldwide, has a history of providing federal government solutions related to workforce and talent management. They have previously held contracts with various federal agencies, often focusing on job posting, applicant tracking, and career development platforms. Their experience typically involves adapting commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software to meet specific government requirements. Evaluating their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedules, and budget management, would be crucial. Specific details on their performance for GSA's Talent Management Solution would require a deeper dive into contract performance reports and agency feedback, which are not fully detailed in the provided summary data.

How does the $4.78 million cost compare to similar talent management SaaS contracts awarded by GSA or other federal agencies?

Comparing the $4.78 million cost requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific features of the talent management solution. This contract spans approximately four years (April 2022 to July 2026), making the annual average cost around $1.195 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts for similar SaaS solutions, considering factors like the number of users supported, modules included (e.g., recruitment, performance management, learning), and level of customization. GSA's IT Schedule 70 (now MAS IT) often hosts such services, and analyzing awards under that schedule for comparable talent management platforms would provide a more accurate value assessment. Without detailed service level agreements and feature comparisons, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or questionable value.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for SaaS talent management?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for a SaaS talent management solution is the potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if oversight is lacking. For SaaS, risks include scope creep where additional features or services are requested and billed hourly, potentially escalating costs beyond initial expectations. Ensuring robust monitoring of labor hours, material usage, and strict adherence to the Statement of Work (SOW) is critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

What does the fact that only one bid was received under 'full and open competition' imply for future procurements of this type?

Receiving only one bid under a 'full and open competition' scenario, as indicated for this GSA Talent Management Solution contract, can signal several potential issues for future procurements. It might suggest that the market for this specific type of solution is limited, or that the requirements were too restrictive, deterring potential bidders. Alternatively, the solicitation process itself might have inadvertently discouraged competition, or perhaps the incumbent contractor (if this is a follow-on) had a significant advantage. For future procurements, agencies should analyze why only one bid was received. This could involve market research to gauge broader interest, refining requirements to be more inclusive, ensuring the solicitation is clear and accessible, and potentially exploring different contract vehicles or partnership opportunities to attract a wider range of qualified vendors.

How does this contract align with broader federal initiatives for digital transformation and IT modernization?

This contract aligns with broader federal initiatives for digital transformation and IT modernization by focusing on acquiring a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution for talent management. Modernizing HR functions through cloud-based platforms like SaaS is a key component of digital transformation, aiming to improve efficiency, user experience, and data accessibility. By leveraging GSA's procurement expertise, the agency is likely seeking to replace potentially outdated legacy systems with a more agile and scalable solution. This move supports the government's goal of adopting modern technologies to better serve its workforce and citizens, enhancing capabilities in areas like recruitment, employee development, and performance tracking, which are critical for a modernized federal IT infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Computer Training

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47HAA022Q0020

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 133 BOSTON POST RD BLDG 15, WESTON, MA, 02493

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,331,489

Exercised Options: $4,784,425

Current Obligation: $4,784,425

Actual Outlays: $2,561,108

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0609V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline