GSA awards $2.7M contract for technical and management expertise to Serco Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,688,646 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Serco Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-07-15

End Date: 2026-05-14

Contract Duration: 303 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO1 BRIDGE TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE WAGWP

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.7 million to SERCO INC for work described as: TO1 BRIDGE TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE WAGWP Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for engineering services, a critical support function for federal agencies. 3. Duration of 303 days indicates a focused, short-term need for specialized expertise. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 5. Awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), a key procurement agency. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.7 million for a 303-day period for engineering services appears within a reasonable range for specialized technical and management expertise. However, without specific deliverables or a detailed breakdown of labor categories and rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Comparing this to similar GSA contracts for engineering support would provide better context. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs do not escalate beyond the anticipated value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The GSA's use of this procurement method suggests a deliberate effort to leverage market competition for this requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and higher quality services.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring specialized technical and management expertise will benefit from the services provided. The contract supports engineering services, which are crucial for the planning, design, and execution of various government projects. The geographic impact is noted as Ohio (OH), suggesting the primary performance location or the agency's operational base. The contract may indirectly impact the workforce by creating demand for skilled engineers and management professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not strictly managed and monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in the provided data makes it difficult to assess performance outcomes.
The contract is a delivery order, meaning its specific scope and value are dependent on the parent IDIQ contract, which is not detailed here.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), a reputable agency with established procurement processes.
The contract supports essential engineering services, contributing to the effective functioning of government operations.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a vital component of the federal procurement landscape, supporting a wide array of agency missions from infrastructure development to complex technological projects. This contract, valued at approximately $2.7 million, falls within the typical range for specialized engineering support services. The federal government is a significant consumer of engineering services, with spending often concentrated in areas like defense, transportation, and infrastructure. This contract with GSA aligns with the agency's role in providing centralized procurement solutions and support services to other federal entities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus appears to be on larger, established firms capable of competing under a full and open solicitation for specialized engineering services.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) typically employs robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including performance monitoring, financial reviews, and adherence to procurement regulations. As a delivery order under a potential IDIQ, oversight would likely involve both the GSA contracting officer and the program office of the agency utilizing the services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
Engineering and Technical Services Contracts
Management and Technical Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for strong government oversight to manage contractor effort and costs.
Scope definition and management are critical for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.7 million to SERCO INC. TO1 BRIDGE TECHNICAL AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE WAGWP

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SERCO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-15. End: 2026-05-14.

What is the track record of Serco Inc. as a federal contractor, particularly in providing engineering and management services?

Serco Inc. has a significant history as a federal contractor across various agencies and service areas. While specific performance details for this particular contract are not yet available due to its recent award, Serco has been involved in numerous government contracts, including those related to IT, logistics, defense, and professional services. Their track record includes both successes and challenges, as is common for large government contractors. Independent reviews and government performance evaluations (like past performance questionnaires) would offer more granular insights into their specific capabilities and reliability in delivering engineering and management expertise. It is advisable to review publicly available contract data and performance ratings to form a comprehensive view of their past performance.

How does the $2.7 million value compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by GSA or other agencies?

The $2.7 million value for a 303-day engineering services contract awarded by GSA is moderate. GSA procures a wide range of engineering services, from small, specialized task orders to large, multi-year programs. Contracts for similar technical and management expertise can range from hundreds of thousands to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. This specific award appears to be for a focused set of services rather than a broad, long-term program. Benchmarking against contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (like 541330 - Engineering Services) and similar contract types (Time and Materials) from GSA or other agencies would provide a more precise comparison. However, as a standalone figure, it represents a significant but not exceptionally large investment for specialized federal support.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for engineering services?

The primary risk associated with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fixed fee or percentage for profit. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if project timelines extend unexpectedly, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. This necessitates rigorous oversight from the government to ensure that labor hours are reasonable and necessary, and that material costs are justified. Without strong project management and diligent monitoring by the contracting officer's representative (COR), T&M contracts can become less cost-effective than other contract types. The government must actively manage the contractor's effort to mitigate these risks.

How effective is GSA's procurement process in ensuring value for money for engineering services?

GSA's procurement process is generally designed to ensure value for money through various mechanisms, including competition, standardized procedures, and contract administration. For engineering services, GSA often utilizes pre-competed Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) vehicles or Federal Supply Schedules, which streamline the acquisition process and leverage pre-negotiated rates. Awarding this contract through 'full and open competition' suggests an effort to maximize bidder participation and achieve competitive pricing. However, the effectiveness of value for money ultimately depends on the specific solicitation details, the evaluation criteria used, the contractor's performance, and the government's oversight. The use of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, as seen here, requires particularly diligent government oversight to control costs and ensure that the services provided align with the anticipated value.

What are the historical spending patterns for engineering services under GSA, and how does this award fit within them?

GSA historically spends billions of dollars annually on a wide range of services, including engineering and technical support, often through its Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) and other IDIQ contracts. Spending patterns vary significantly based on agency needs, infrastructure projects, and technological advancements. This $2.7 million award for engineering services is a relatively small component within GSA's overall procurement portfolio. It likely represents a specific, targeted need rather than a large-scale program. Analyzing GSA's historical spending data for NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and types. This particular award fits within the pattern of GSA facilitating specialized support services for federal agencies, often on a project-by-project basis through delivery orders or task orders.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT › MODIFICATION OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA25Q0065

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12930 WORLDGATE DR, HERNDON, VA, 20170

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,966,062

Exercised Options: $5,625,382

Current Obligation: $2,688,646

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA25D008W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline