NSF awards $30.5M for web content management, modernization, and operations over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,510,902 ($30.5M)

Contractor: Civicactions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2021-05-01

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CMS) DEVELOPMENT, MODERNIZATION, ENHANCEMENT (DME) AND OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M)

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, CONTRA COSTA County, CALIFORNIA, 94549

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $30.5 million to CIVICACTIONS, INC. for work described as: WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CMS) DEVELOPMENT, MODERNIZATION, ENHANCEMENT (DME) AND OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical web content management and modernization efforts. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Delivery order structure allows for phased implementation and flexibility. 4. Contract duration of over five years suggests a long-term need for these services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 covers a broad range of IT services. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting larger prime contractors are involved.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award ceiling of $30.5 million over approximately five years represents a significant investment in web content management. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale IT service contracts for federal agencies requires detailed analysis of scope and deliverables. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The obligated amount to date needs to be considered for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit proposals. This typically leads to a more robust selection process and potentially better pricing due to market forces. The presence of 5 bids indicates a reasonable level of interest and competition for this requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is the primary beneficiary, receiving modernized web content management capabilities. Services include development, modernization, enhancement, and ongoing operations and maintenance of web content systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the NSF's operational locations, likely supporting its national and international research initiatives. Workforce implications may include IT professionals involved in web development, system administration, and content management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to cost uncertainty if not managed effectively.
The broad NAICS code (541519) may encompass a wide range of services, requiring clear scope definition to avoid creep.
Long contract duration necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
The delivery order structure allows for flexibility in adapting to evolving needs.
Modernizing web content management systems can improve user experience and operational efficiency for the agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on web content management systems (CMS). The market for CMS development, modernization, and maintenance is substantial within the federal government, with agencies continually seeking to update their digital presence and internal systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large federal contracts for similar IT modernization and O&M services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting goals for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the prime contractor, Civicactions, Inc., is likely a larger entity, and the focus is on fulfilling the requirement through direct award rather than specifically promoting small business participation as a prime or major subcontractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, including service level agreements and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Modernization Programs
Web Services Contracts
IT Operations and Maintenance
Content Management Systems
Digital Services Delivery

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing structure.
Risk of technological obsolescence over the contract's long duration.
Need for strong government oversight to manage scope and performance.
Ensuring clear definition of services under broad NAICS code.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $30.5 million to CIVICACTIONS, INC.. WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CMS) DEVELOPMENT, MODERNIZATION, ENHANCEMENT (DME) AND OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (O&M)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CIVICACTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-01. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of Civicactions, Inc. in performing similar web content management services for the federal government?

Civicactions, Inc. has a history of performing IT services for the federal government. To assess their track record specifically for web content management systems (CMS) development, modernization, enhancement, and operations & maintenance (O&M), a deeper dive into their past performance on similar contracts is necessary. This would involve reviewing contract databases for awards to Civicactions under relevant NAICS codes (like 541519) and examining performance evaluations, if publicly available. Understanding their success in meeting deadlines, managing budgets, and delivering quality on comparable projects would provide crucial context for their ability to execute the current NSF contract effectively. Past performance is a key factor in source selection and ongoing contract management.

How does the $30.5 million award compare to typical spending on similar web content management services by federal agencies?

The $30.5 million ceiling for this five-year contract with the National Science Foundation (NSF) for web content management (CMS) development, modernization, enhancement, and O&M is a substantial figure. To benchmark this, one would compare it to similar large-scale IT service contracts awarded by other federal agencies for comparable services. Factors such as the scope of work (e.g., number of websites, complexity of systems, user base), the duration of the contract, and the specific technologies involved are critical for a fair comparison. Agencies like the Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, or Energy often award multi-year, multi-million dollar contracts for enterprise-level IT solutions, including CMS. The average annual value of this NSF contract is approximately $6.1 million, which falls within the range of significant, but not unprecedented, federal IT investments.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude and duration?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude ($30.5 million over 5 years) is the potential for cost escalation if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if the government lacks robust oversight. For the NSF's web content management contract, risks include scope creep, where requirements expand beyond the initial agreement without corresponding adjustments to the ceiling, and contractor inefficiencies that drive up labor hours. Effective risk mitigation requires strong government oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and material costs, clear task definitions, and proactive communication to ensure the contractor remains focused on efficient delivery within the contract's overall value.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring value for money for this contract?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to submit proposals, the government maximizes the pool of potential offerors, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. For the NSF's web content management contract, this approach suggests that multiple vendors vied for the opportunity, putting downward pressure on prices and encouraging high-quality performance. The fact that 5 bids were received indicates a healthy level of competition. However, value for money is not solely determined by the lowest price; it also encompasses the technical merit, past performance, and overall quality of the proposed solution. Robust evaluation criteria are essential to ensure that the chosen contractor provides the best overall value, not just the lowest cost.

What are the implications of the contract's duration (over 5 years) on the NSF's ability to adapt to evolving web technologies?

A contract duration extending over five years for web content management services presents both opportunities and challenges regarding adaptability to evolving technologies. On the one hand, a longer contract provides stability and allows the contractor to develop deep expertise in the NSF's systems, potentially leading to more efficient operations and maintenance. It also enables long-term strategic planning for modernization. On the other hand, the rapid pace of technological change in web development means that systems and approaches can become outdated within a five-year timeframe. To mitigate this, the contract should include mechanisms for incorporating new technologies and adapting the scope as needed, possibly through defined modification processes or periodic reviews. The NSF's program managers must actively monitor technological trends and ensure the contract allows for necessary updates to maintain relevance and effectiveness.

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: 49100421Q0002

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3470 SHANGRI LA RD, LAFAYETTE, CA, 94549

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,889,824

Exercised Options: $34,627,207

Current Obligation: $30,510,902

Actual Outlays: $26,055,206

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F337BA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline