GSA awards $3.86M for Login.gov engineering support, highlighting IT services and full competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,857,991 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Semanticbits LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-11-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LOGIN.GOV ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $3.9 million to SEMANTICBITS LLC for work described as: LOGIN.GOV ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential IT engineering support for a critical government identity platform. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of approximately two years provides a stable period for service delivery. 4. The award is a BPA Call, indicating it's part of a larger pre-competed agreement. 5. Services fall under 'Other Computer Related Services,' a broad IT category. 6. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.86 million over two years for engineering support is within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal identity management systems would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and associated costs, aiming for predictable expenditures. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award is a positive indicator.

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 offers. The specific mechanism used was a BPA Call, which implies that the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement was also competitively awarded. While the number of bidders for this specific call is not provided, the 'full and open' designation generally suggests a healthy level of competition, which can drive better pricing and service quality. This approach is designed to ensure the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of potential providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services. It ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by preventing sole-source awards that might otherwise be more expensive.

Public Impact

Citizens and federal employees benefit from a secure and reliable Login.gov platform for accessing government services. Essential engineering support ensures the continued functionality, security, and development of the Login.gov identity system. The services are delivered primarily within the District of Columbia, impacting federal IT infrastructure. The contract supports specialized IT engineering roles, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled technology jobs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined within the BPA Call.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical engineering support could pose a risk if performance falters.
The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code is broad, requiring careful monitoring to ensure services align with Login.gov needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process and potentially good value.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
BPA Call mechanism leverages a pre-competed agreement, streamlining procurement.
Contract duration of over two years allows for sustained support and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on IT services and support. The market for IT engineering and support services for government platforms is robust, with numerous companies capable of providing these specialized skills. Login.gov is a critical component of the federal government's digital identity strategy, and spending on its maintenance and development is essential. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for identity management systems, cybersecurity engineering, and software development support.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). The awardee, SEMANTICBITS LLC, is listed with no indication of its size status in the provided data. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would require further investigation into the contractor's practices and the specific nature of the engineering tasks. Without set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific award is likely limited, though larger prime contractors often engage small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service, which awarded the contract. As a BPA Call, oversight may also be tied to the management of the parent Blanket Purchase Agreement. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability through adherence to the agreed-upon price for defined services. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on GSA's internal policies and potential investigations into contract performance or misuse of funds.

Related Government Programs

Login.gov Platform
Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)
General Services Administration IT Procurement
IT Services and Support Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues
Cybersecurity risks
Contractor dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $3.9 million to SEMANTICBITS LLC. LOGIN.GOV ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SEMANTICBITS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of SEMANTICBITS LLC in performing similar federal IT engineering support contracts?

Assessing SEMANTICBITS LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving identity management systems, software engineering, and IT infrastructure support. Information on contract performance ratings, past issues, and successful project completions would be crucial. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and contractor performance assessment reporting tools (CPARS) are primary sources for this data. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget delivery of complex IT services would indicate a lower risk for this Login.gov contract. Conversely, a pattern of performance issues or contract disputes would raise concerns about their capability to meet the current requirements effectively.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar IT engineering services?

To benchmark the value for money, the awarded contract value of approximately $3.86 million over two years needs to be compared against prevailing market rates for specialized IT engineering support, particularly for identity management platforms. This involves analyzing data from similar government contracts (e.g., through FPDS) and commercial IT service pricing. Factors such as the specific skill sets required (e.g., cybersecurity, cloud engineering, software development), the geographic location of services, and the contractor's overhead structure influence market rates. The firm-fixed-price nature of this award suggests the government aimed for cost certainty, but a detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing the price to independently sourced market data is necessary for a comprehensive value assessment.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential contractor underperformance, cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the supported systems, and the risk of vendor lock-in if the contractor becomes indispensable. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract oversight by GSA, clearly defined performance standards and deliverables within the BPA Call, and regular security audits. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts some financial risk to the contractor. Furthermore, the use of a BPA Call, which stems from a competitively awarded BPA, potentially allows for easier transition to other vendors if performance issues arise, though the specialized nature of Login.gov support might limit immediate alternatives. Continuous monitoring of system performance and security is paramount.

How effective has the 'full and open competition' approach been in securing competitive pricing for this contract?

The 'full and open competition' designation suggests that the procurement process was designed to maximize the number of potential bidders, thereby fostering price competition. To assess its effectiveness, one would need to examine the number of bids received for this specific BPA Call and compare the awarded price against the government's independent cost estimate or historical pricing for similar services. If multiple bids were received and the price appears reasonable relative to market benchmarks, the competition was likely effective. Conversely, if few bids were submitted or the price is significantly higher than anticipated, the effectiveness of the competition might be questionable, potentially indicating market limitations or issues with the solicitation.

What is the historical spending trend for Login.gov engineering support services?

Analyzing historical spending on Login.gov engineering support requires accessing federal procurement data over previous fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts awarded for Login.gov maintenance, development, and engineering, summing their values, and observing any trends (e.g., increasing, decreasing, or stable spending). Understanding past spending patterns helps contextualize the current $3.86 million award, indicating whether it represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous investment levels. It also aids in forecasting future budgetary needs and identifying potential cost efficiencies or areas of escalating expenditure.

What is the strategic importance of Login.gov and the role of this engineering support contract within the broader federal IT landscape?

Login.gov is a cornerstone of the U.S. government's strategy for providing secure and user-friendly digital identity services to citizens and federal employees. It aims to consolidate identity proofing and authentication across various federal agencies, enhancing security and user experience while reducing redundant systems. This engineering support contract is therefore strategically vital, ensuring the platform's reliability, security, and ongoing development. Its importance lies in enabling seamless access to essential government services, from tax filing to unemployment benefits, and underpinning the government's broader digital transformation efforts. The contract's value is amplified by Login.gov's critical role in the federal IT ecosystem.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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: 47QPCA25Q0001

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLAZA, RESTON, VA, 20190

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: $8,909,514

Exercised Options: $3,857,991

Current Obligation: $3,857,991

Actual Outlays: $1,974,916

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $52,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QPCA21A0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline