GBS Sbir III TO1 Contract Awarded to SI2 Technologies, Inc for Over $3.6M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,685,817 ($3.7M)

Contractor: SI2 Technologies, Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-09-23

End Date: 2025-09-22

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: GBS SBIR III TO1 47QFCA20F0046 AWARDED.

Place of Performance

Location: NASHUA, HILLSBOROUGH County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03062

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.7 million to SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC for work described as: GBS SBIR III TO1 47QFCA20F0046 AWARDED. Key points: 1. Value for money assessment pending further data on deliverables and performance. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the sole-source nature and the contract's duration. 4. Performance context requires analysis of task orders and delivery against objectives. 5. Sector positioning within 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' needs further definition. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the broader federal procurement landscape.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking value for this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable sole-source awards. The total value of $3.68M over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services or equipment procured and comparing them to market rates or similar government contracts. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, can be variable and requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when urgency dictates a direct award. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have driven down prices or fostered innovation through diverse proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not have the benefit of competitive pricing. It also limits opportunities for other businesses to secure federal contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is likely the agency utilizing the communications equipment or services provided by SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Services delivered are related to 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing', though specifics are not detailed. Geographic impact is centered in New Hampshire, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may include employment opportunities at SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source awards can reduce transparency and accountability.
Contract duration of five years requires ongoing performance monitoring.
Reliance on labor hours can lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific company suggests a perceived need for their unique capabilities.
The contract is awarded to a small business (based on typical SBIR program context, though not explicitly stated here).
The contract has a defined period of performance, allowing for reassessment.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector encompasses a wide range of products and services. Federal spending in this area supports national security, infrastructure, and technological advancement. This contract, valued at over $3.6M, represents a modest investment within the broader federal IT and defense procurement landscape. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the communications equipment or services procured.

Small Business Impact

While the data does not explicitly state if SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC is a small business, SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) contracts are typically awarded to small businesses. If this is an SBIR contract, it aligns with the program's goal of fostering innovation within the small business sector. However, the sole-source nature means it was not competed, potentially limiting broader small business subcontracting opportunities unless specifically mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery order system and performance reviews. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award, but contract details and performance should be available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

SBIR Program
Federal Communications Equipment Procurement
GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Labor-hours pricing can lead to cost uncertainty.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.7 million to SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. GBS SBIR III TO1 47QFCA20F0046 AWARDED.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-23. End: 2025-09-22.

What specific communications equipment or services are being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334290, 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing'. However, the specific nature of the equipment or services is not detailed in the award information. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work or task orders would be necessary to understand the precise deliverables. This could range from specialized hardware components to software development or integration services related to communications systems. Without this detail, a full assessment of value and performance is limited.

How does the $3.68M contract value compare to similar sole-source awards in the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector?

Comparing this $3.68M contract value to similar sole-source awards requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements within the 'Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing' sector, specifically those awarded on a sole-source basis. Generally, contract values can vary significantly based on the complexity, quantity, and criticality of the equipment or services. A $3.68M award over five years ($736K annually) is a moderate-sized contract. However, without knowing the specific product or service, it's difficult to benchmark effectively. Sole-source awards often occur for specialized or proprietary technologies, which can command higher prices than competitively procured items.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how has SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC performed against them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract, nor does it detail the performance of SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. Performance assessment typically relies on data from contract administration, including delivery schedules, quality of goods/services, and adherence to technical specifications. For a contract awarded on a labor-hours basis, KPIs might include hours billed versus estimated, successful completion of milestones, and user satisfaction. Without access to task order performance reports or contract close-out data, evaluating the contractor's track record on this specific award is not possible from the given information.

What is the historical spending pattern for SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC with the General Services Administration (GSA)?

To determine the historical spending pattern of SI2 TECHNOLOGIES, INC with the GSA, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for all contracts awarded to this entity by GSA. This would reveal the total amount spent, the types of contracts (e.g., services, products), the agencies involved within GSA, and the duration of these contracts. Analyzing this history could indicate whether this $3.68M award is a significant increase, a continuation of a trend, or an isolated event, providing context on the contractor's relationship and past performance with the agency.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year contract awarded on a sole-source, labor-hours basis?

A five-year contract awarded on a sole-source, labor-hours basis presents several potential risks. Firstly, the sole-source nature eliminates competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs than if the contract were competed. Secondly, a labor-hours pricing model can be susceptible to cost overruns if work is not managed efficiently or if the scope creeps without adequate oversight. The five-year duration amplifies these risks, as inefficiencies or price increases can compound over a long period. Furthermore, the government's ability to adapt to changing technological needs or market conditions might be constrained by a long-term, sole-source commitment. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Communications Equipment Manufacturing › Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 267 BOSTON RD, NORTH BILLERICA, MA, 01862

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,780,156

Exercised Options: $3,925,261

Current Obligation: $3,685,817

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFCA20D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline