GSA awards $6.57M contract for R&D services to Tecolote Research, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,570,853 ($6.6M)

Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: EARNED VALUE MANAGEMENT (EVM) AND SCHEDULING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: EL SEGUNDO, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90245

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $6.6 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: EARNED VALUE MANAGEMENT (EVM) AND SCHEDULING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 2. Service type: Earned Value Management (EVM) and Scheduling Services. 3. Contract duration is 729 days. 4. Contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee. 5. Performance location is California. 6. Small business set-aside is not applicable. 7. Contract is a delivery order.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.57 million for EVM and scheduling services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized R&D support. However, without specific benchmarks for EVM and scheduling services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can incentivize cost control, but also carries inherent risks if not managed diligently. Comparing this to similar contracts for specialized technical services would provide a clearer picture of its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially limiting the pool of bidders. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed, which could impact the breadth of competition and price discovery. Further information on the exclusion criteria would be needed for a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may have resulted in a higher price for taxpayers compared to a fully open competition with a wider range of bidders. Understanding the rationale behind the source exclusion is crucial for ensuring fair pricing.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring Earned Value Management (EVM) and scheduling expertise will benefit from these services. The services delivered will support the effective management and oversight of research and development projects. The geographic impact is primarily within California, where the contractor is located. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the R&D sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type if not closely monitored.
Limited competition may have reduced price negotiation leverage for the government.
Lack of detail on 'exclusion of sources' raises questions about the extent of competitive fairness.

Positive Signals

Tecolote Research, Inc. is likely selected for its specialized expertise in EVM and scheduling.
The contract duration of two years provides stability for service delivery.
Delivery order structure suggests it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, potentially indicating pre-vetted capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically under NAICS code 541712. This sector is characterized by innovation and technical expertise. Spending in this area often supports government-led scientific and engineering advancements. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for specialized technical consulting and project management services within federal R&D agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses (SS=false, SB=false). As a result, large businesses like Tecolote Research, Inc. are the primary recipients. There is no direct subcontracting implication for small businesses mentioned in the provided data, suggesting that the focus is on the prime contractor's direct service delivery.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and the fixed fee is earned appropriately. Transparency will depend on GSA's reporting practices and any available contract performance data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Earned Value Management Systems
Project Management Services
Research and Development Support
Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contract type.
Lack of detailed justification for source exclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $6.6 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. EARNED VALUE MANAGEMENT (EVM) AND SCHEDULING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is Tecolote Research, Inc.'s track record with government contracts, particularly for EVM and scheduling services?

Tecolote Research, Inc. has a significant history of performing government contracts, often in specialized technical and engineering support roles. While specific details on their performance for EVM and scheduling services on this particular contract are not yet available due to its recent award, their general profile suggests experience in complex project environments. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the types of agencies they have served would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability. Their presence in the government contracting space indicates they have met certain standards for award.

How does the $6.57 million contract value compare to similar EVM and scheduling services contracts awarded by the GSA or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $6.57 million contract value for EVM and scheduling services requires access to a database of comparable federal contracts. Without direct access to such a database, a precise comparison is difficult. However, for specialized technical consulting and project management services, especially those involving complex R&D projects, contract values can range widely based on scope, duration, and contractor expertise. A contract of this size over two years suggests a substantial scope of work. To provide a definitive comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541712, 541611) and service descriptions awarded within the last 1-2 years.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for EVM and scheduling services?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor is incentivized to control costs to protect their fixed fee, the government bears the risk of increased costs above the estimated amount. For EVM and scheduling services, this could manifest if unforeseen complexities arise in the projects being supported, leading to higher labor hours or material costs than initially anticipated. Effective government oversight is crucial to monitor expenditures, ensure the reasonableness of costs, and verify that the contractor is operating efficiently to achieve the fixed fee without excessive cost escalation.

What is the expected effectiveness of these EVM and scheduling services in improving federal R&D project performance?

Effective Earned Value Management (EVM) and scheduling services are critical for improving federal R&D project performance by providing early detection of cost and schedule variances. By implementing robust EVM systems, project managers gain insights into project status, enabling proactive decision-making to mitigate risks and keep projects on track. Skilled schedulers ensure realistic timelines and identify potential bottlenecks. The success of these services hinges on the quality of the contractor's expertise, the integration of their tools and methodologies with the agency's existing project management framework, and the agency's commitment to acting on the insights provided.

What are the historical spending patterns for EVM and scheduling services by the General Services Administration (GSA)?

Historical spending patterns for EVM and scheduling services by the GSA would require analyzing GSA's contract databases over several fiscal years. GSA, as a major procurement agency, likely awards numerous contracts for various support services, including project management and technical consulting. Spending on EVM and scheduling services would fluctuate based on agency needs, specific program requirements, and the overall federal budget allocated to R&D and other technical initiatives. To determine specific patterns, one would need to query contract data for relevant service codes and keywords across multiple years.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation imply for the fairness and competitiveness of this award?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation implies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources, but specific sources were intentionally excluded from consideration. The reasons for exclusion are typically based on factors such as national security, proprietary information, or specific technical requirements that only a limited number of entities can meet. While it aims for broad competition among eligible entities, the exclusion of certain sources inherently limits the competitive pool. This can potentially impact price discovery and may lead to higher costs for the government compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition, depending on the justification for the exclusions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFPA24R0018

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 420 S FAIRVIEW AVE STE 201, GOLETA, CA, 93117

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,283,201

Exercised Options: $8,977,737

Current Obligation: $6,570,853

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $1,783,938

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS619

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline