GSA Awards $2.76M for Made in America Systems Program Operations & Maintenance to Bixal Solutions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,764,264 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Bixal Solutions Incorporated

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-08-27

End Date: 2026-08-26

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: MADE IN AMERICA SYSTEMS PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.8 million to BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED for work described as: MADE IN AMERICA SYSTEMS PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED for program operations and maintenance. 2. The contract is for Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511). 3. Awarded under a BPA Call by the General Services Administration. 4. The contract duration is 729 days, ending August 26, 2026. 5. This contract does not appear to directly benefit small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.76M for a 2-year period for program operations and maintenance seems within a reasonable range for custom computer programming services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT operations and maintenance would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using Full and Open Competition via a BPA Call. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of vendors to participate, potentially leading to better price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential program operations and maintenance, ensuring the continued functionality of the MADE IN AMERICA SYSTEMS program.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and maintenance of the MADE IN AMERICA SYSTEMS program. Supports federal IT infrastructure and program delivery. Potential for innovation and efficiency improvements through contracted services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of direct small business participation.
Potential for cost overruns if not closely managed.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical operations.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports a specific government program's operational needs.
Clear contract end date provides a defined period for services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. Spending in this area is substantial across government, supporting a wide range of agency functions. Benchmarks for similar IT operations and maintenance contracts can vary widely based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and the prime contractor, BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED, is not listed as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard GSA oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring and financial reviews, should be in place to ensure accountability and proper use of funds.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of explicit small business participation.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical program functions.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.8 million to BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED. MADE IN AMERICA SYSTEMS PROGRAM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-27. End: 2026-08-26.

What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the performance of BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED in maintaining and operating the MADE IN AMERICA SYSTEMS program?

Performance evaluation metrics are crucial for ensuring the success of this contract. These should include key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system uptime, response times for issue resolution, adherence to security protocols, and successful implementation of any required updates or maintenance. Regular reporting and review meetings between GSA and BIXAL SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED will be essential to track progress against these metrics and address any performance gaps proactively.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to fixed-price or other contract types for similar IT operations and maintenance services, and what are the associated risks?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts offer flexibility but carry a higher risk of cost overruns if not tightly managed, as costs are directly tied to labor hours and material expenses. For IT operations and maintenance, fixed-price contracts can offer better cost certainty for well-defined scopes. The risk with T&M here is that the 'made in america systems' program's needs might expand or require more effort than initially anticipated, driving up the final cost beyond initial projections without a pre-defined ceiling.

What is the long-term strategy for the MADE IN AMERICA SYSTEMS program, and how does this contract align with future technological roadmaps or potential transitions?

Understanding the long-term vision for the MADE IN AMERICA SYSTEMS program is key to assessing the effectiveness of this contract. If the program is intended for continued growth and evolution, this contract should ideally support adaptability to new technologies and changing requirements. Without insight into the program's roadmap, it's difficult to determine if this maintenance and operations support is a bridge to a future solution or a long-term commitment that might require future modernization efforts.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QPCA24Q0063

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3050 CHAIN BRIDGE RD STE 305, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,424,051

Exercised Options: $2,764,264

Current Obligation: $2,764,264

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $429,928

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QPCA21A0008

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline