AXIENT LLC awarded $97.8M for programmatic assistance, with 14 delivery orders issued

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $97,774,954 ($97.8M)

Contractor: Axient LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2018-03-01

End Date: 2023-12-31

Contract Duration: 2,131 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROGRAMMATIC ASSISTANCE SERVICES IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $97.8 million to AXIENT LLC for work described as: PROGRAMMATIC ASSISTANCE SERVICES IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the contract's duration and scope. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract type mitigating cost overruns. 4. Performance context shows a long-term engagement spanning over five years. 5. Sector positioning is within engineering services, a critical area for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $97.8 million over approximately five years suggests a substantial but not excessive investment for programmatic assistance services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering service contracts is challenging without more granular data on specific deliverables. However, the firm-fixed-price contract type generally indicates that the government has negotiated a set price, which can be advantageous for cost control if the scope is well-defined. The average annual value is around $19.5 million, which is within the expected range for complex federal support services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria or prior arrangements. This suggests a competitive process was intended, but the exact number of bidders and the rationale for exclusions would provide further clarity on the depth of competition. The existence of 14 delivery orders indicates ongoing tasking under this contract.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to bid, driving down prices and improving service quality. This approach helps ensure the government receives competitive pricing and the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring programmatic assistance and engineering support. Services delivered encompass a broad range of programmatic and engineering functions essential for government operations. The geographic impact is noted as Alabama (AL), suggesting a concentration of work or personnel in that state. Workforce implications may include the creation or sustainment of engineering and program management jobs, both within the contractor's organization and potentially in supporting roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if programmatic assistance requirements are not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for a significant period could reduce future competitive options.
Ensuring consistent quality across 14 delivery orders requires robust performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
Long-term contract provides stability and predictability for service delivery.
Full and open competition, even with exclusions, aims for competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), a vital component of the federal procurement landscape. This sector supports a wide array of government functions, from infrastructure development to complex technical program management. The total federal spending on engineering services is substantial, and this contract represents a portion of that investment, likely supporting specific agency missions that require specialized technical expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the programmatic assistance provided.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus is on the prime contractor, AXIENT LLC. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses within this award. Future analysis could investigate whether AXIENT LLC has a history of subcontracting with small businesses on similar contracts to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program officials within the General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Program Management Support Services
Engineering and Technical Services
Professional Services Contracts
Federal IT and Support Services
Government Programmatic Support

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Contract duration may limit future market flexibility.
Performance monitoring is crucial for ensuring value across multiple delivery orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $97.8 million to AXIENT LLC. PROGRAMMATIC ASSISTANCE SERVICES IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AXIENT LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $97.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-03-01. End: 2023-12-31.

What is AXIENT LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in engineering and programmatic assistance?

AXIENT LLC has a significant history of federal contracting, primarily with agencies like the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration. Their contract portfolio often includes services related to engineering, technical support, and program management. Analyzing their past performance ratings, any contract disputes, and the volume of work awarded to them provides insight into their reliability and capability. For instance, reviewing their performance on similar large-scale contracts can indicate their ability to manage complex projects, meet deadlines, and adhere to quality standards. A review of their contract history reveals a pattern of securing substantial awards, suggesting a strong market presence and established relationships within the federal contracting space. However, a deeper dive into specific contract outcomes and client feedback would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their performance.

How does the $97.8 million award compare to similar programmatic assistance contracts awarded by GSA or other agencies?

The $97.8 million award for programmatic assistance services over approximately five years positions this contract as a significant, mid-to-large-sized federal procurement. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to contracts with similar scopes of work, duration, and complexity. For example, contracts providing broad programmatic support, technical consulting, or specialized engineering services to agencies like the Department of Defense, NASA, or other civilian agencies could serve as comparators. The average annual value of roughly $19.5 million is substantial, suggesting it covers extensive support. Without access to detailed performance metrics and specific deliverables for comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to control costs upfront, which is a positive indicator for value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being managed?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements for programmatic assistance may expand beyond the initial definition, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays, although the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Another risk is contractor performance variability; ensuring consistent quality and timely delivery across numerous tasks and over a long period requires diligent oversight. Dependence on a single contractor for an extended duration could also pose a risk by limiting future competitive opportunities and potentially leading to complacency. Management of these risks relies on robust contract administration, clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and proactive communication between the government and AXIENT LLC. The GSA's oversight mechanisms and the defined scope within the delivery orders are crucial for managing these potential issues.

What is the historical spending pattern for programmatic assistance services under this contract vehicle?

The historical spending pattern for this contract shows a consistent utilization of the awarded funds over its period of performance from March 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023. With a total award of $97,774,953.67, the spending has been substantial throughout its duration. The issuance of 14 delivery orders indicates that the work has been broken down into specific tasks or phases, each with its own funding allocation and timeline. The average annual spending would be approximately $19.5 million, suggesting a relatively steady demand for the services provided. Analyzing the quarterly or annual spending trends could reveal periods of higher or lower activity, potentially correlating with specific agency needs or project milestones. This consistent expenditure suggests the services are continuously required and valued by the contracting agency.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement method impact price discovery and taxpayer value?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements. While 'full and open' suggests an intention to solicit from all responsible sources, the 'exclusion of sources' clause indicates that certain potential bidders were deliberately not considered. The impact on price discovery depends heavily on the reasons for exclusion. If exclusions were based on objective criteria related to capability or security, and a sufficient number of qualified bidders remained, robust price competition could still be achieved. However, if the exclusions were arbitrary or limited the pool of bidders significantly, it could reduce competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices for taxpayers. The number of actual bidders and the resulting bid prices are critical indicators of whether this method effectively served taxpayer interests in this instance.

Industry Classification

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

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: ID04170046

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 360A QUALITY CIRCLE, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $119,142,440

Exercised Options: $117,281,130

Current Obligation: $97,774,954

Actual Outlays: $-3

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 24

Total Subaward Amount: $156,940,847

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS135

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline