GSA awards $3.26M R&D contract for social science analytics to Fors Marsh Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,257,242 ($3.3M)

Contractor: Fors Marsh Group LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2025-07-28

End Date: 2027-03-21

Contract Duration: 601 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ANALYTICS TASK ORDER 11 DCP MULTIVERSE

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22350

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $3.3 million to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC for work described as: ANALYTICS TASK ORDER 11 DCP MULTIVERSE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in specialized research capabilities. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and define scope. 4. Contract duration of approximately two years allows for focused project execution. 5. The specific NAICS code indicates a focus on non-technical, human-centric research. 6. This award falls within the broader category of professional services for the federal government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.26 million for a two-year period appears reasonable for a specialized analytics task order. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in social sciences is challenging without more specific scope details. However, the fixed-price nature suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the deliverables and associated costs, which can be a positive indicator of value if the scope is well-defined and achievable. The award to a single contractor, Fors Marsh Group LLC, implies they offered the best value proposition during the competitive process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition was intended and likely occurred, which is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best possible price and quality for the research services. Full and open competition increases the likelihood that the government is not overpaying and is receiving services aligned with market rates.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring advanced analytics in social sciences and humanities for policy development, program evaluation, or strategic planning. The services delivered will involve research, data analysis, and potentially the development of models or frameworks within the social sciences domain. The geographic impact is primarily federal, supporting national-level research initiatives rather than specific regional projects. Workforce implications may include opportunities for researchers, analysts, and subject matter experts within Fors Marsh Group and potentially their subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's past performance objectively.
The broad NAICS code (541720) could encompass a wide range of research activities, raising questions about the precise nature and complexity of the work.
Limited information on the specific deliverables and expected outcomes hinders a thorough assessment of potential risks associated with scope creep or unmet objectives.

Positive Signals

The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive environment that typically leads to better value.
The contract is firm fixed-price, which provides cost certainty for the government and incentivizes the contractor to manage performance efficiently.
The contract is awarded to Fors Marsh Group LLC, a known entity in the government contracting space, potentially indicating a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development (R&D) sector, specifically focusing on social sciences and humanities. This is a niche area within the broader R&D market, often characterized by specialized expertise and analytical methodologies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the exact research questions, but federal spending on social science research supports policy analysis, program evaluation, and understanding societal trends. The market for these services is often driven by specific agency needs for evidence-based decision-making.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-aside was not utilized for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the contract was competed broadly without specific targets for small business participation. While there's no direct set-aside, Fors Marsh Group LLC may still engage small businesses as subcontractors. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether subcontracting opportunities are offered and actively pursued by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), which awarded the contract. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Social Science Research
Data Analytics Services
Federal R&D Spending
Professional Services Contracts
GSA Schedules

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
Difficulty in objectively measuring R&D success.
Reliance on contractor's specialized expertise.
Data quality and availability challenges in social sciences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.3 million to FORS MARSH GROUP LLC. ANALYTICS TASK ORDER 11 DCP MULTIVERSE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FORS MARSH GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-28. End: 2027-03-21.

What is Fors Marsh Group LLC's track record with federal R&D contracts, particularly in social sciences?

Fors Marsh Group LLC has a history of performing various professional services for the federal government, including research and analysis. While specific details on their past R&D contracts in social sciences are not provided in this data snippet, their presence as a contractor suggests experience in this domain. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the types of projects undertaken, their performance ratings on those contracts, and their success in similar competitive solicitations. Examining past performance evaluations and contract close-out reports would offer more insight into their capabilities and reliability for complex research tasks.

How does the $3.26 million contract value compare to similar social science R&D task orders?

The $3.26 million value for a two-year task order focused on social science R&D is a moderate investment. Without specific details on the scope of work, it's challenging to provide a precise benchmark. However, federal agencies often award contracts ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars for specialized research projects. Task orders of this magnitude typically involve in-depth analysis, survey development, qualitative research, or modeling. Comparing this to other GSA Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) awards under NAICS code 541720 would provide a better sense of its relative size within the market for similar services.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of social science analytics contract?

Key risks for this contract include scope creep, where the research objectives expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the difficulty in objectively measuring the 'success' of social science research, as outcomes can be qualitative and long-term. Contractor performance risk is also present; if Fors Marsh Group lacks the necessary expertise or resources, the quality of the research could be compromised. Furthermore, data availability and quality for social science research can be a significant challenge, potentially impacting the validity of findings. Ensuring clear communication and robust project management will be crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does the 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities' NAICS code entail for this contract?

The NAICS code 541720, 'Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities,' signifies that the contract's primary purpose is to conduct research and development activities that explore human society, behavior, and culture. This can encompass a wide array of disciplines, including sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology, and history. For this specific contract, it implies the work will likely involve empirical investigation, theoretical analysis, or the development of new methodologies related to these fields, rather than purely technical or scientific R&D. The focus is on understanding complex social phenomena to inform policy, strategy, or operations.

What is the significance of the 'Firm Fixed Price' contract type for this award?

The 'Firm Fixed Price' (FFP) contract type is significant because it establishes a ceiling price that the contractor, Fors Marsh Group LLC, cannot exceed. This provides the government with a high degree of cost certainty and transfers most of the risk for cost overruns to the contractor. For the government, this means the $3.26 million award ceiling is the maximum expenditure anticipated, assuming the scope of work remains unchanged. This contract type incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently and deliver the specified services within the agreed-upon budget. It is often used when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks are manageable.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 47QFPA25R0008

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4250 FAIRFAX DR, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,257,242

Exercised Options: $3,257,242

Current Obligation: $3,257,242

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFPA23D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline