NSF awards $10.7M contract for HRM Business Analytics to Anika Systems Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,748,544 ($10.7M)

Contractor: Anika Systems Incorporated

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2021-09-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,855 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: HRM BUSINESS ANALYTICS

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $10.7 million to ANIKA SYSTEMS INCORPORATED for work described as: HRM BUSINESS ANALYTICS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. No immediate risk indicators identified, but performance monitoring is key. 4. Services align with standard IT support and analytics needs for federal agencies. 5. Positioned within the custom computer programming services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.7 million over approximately five years (1855 days) for HRM Business Analytics services appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal IT services contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts awarded by the National Science Foundation or other agencies of comparable size would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

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. With 3 bidders, the competition level suggests a healthy market for these services, likely leading to competitive pricing. The presence of multiple bidders generally benefits the government by providing a range of options and driving down costs through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as the government received multiple proposals and selected the best value. This process helps prevent inflated pricing that might occur with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the National Science Foundation will benefit from improved Human Resources Management (HRM) business analytics. The contract will deliver custom computer programming services to support data analysis and reporting for HR functions. The geographic impact is primarily within the National Science Foundation's operational locations, likely concentrated in Virginia. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized IT and analytics roles within Anika Systems Incorporated.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Contract duration of over 5 years allows for sustained service delivery and potential for long-term improvements.
The contractor, Anika Systems Incorporated, is likely experienced in providing similar services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511). This is a significant market within the federal government, with agencies consistently investing in software development, data analytics, and IT infrastructure to improve operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for HR analytics platforms, custom software development for administrative functions, and IT consulting services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Anika Systems Incorporated, may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Human Capital Management Systems
IT Services for Federal Agencies
Custom Software Development Contracts
Data Analytics Services for Government

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if system is highly proprietary.
Reliance on contractor expertise for system maintenance and upgrades.
Data security and privacy concerns inherent in handling sensitive HR data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $10.7 million to ANIKA SYSTEMS INCORPORATED. HRM BUSINESS ANALYTICS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANIKA SYSTEMS INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Anika Systems Incorporated in delivering similar HRM business analytics services to federal agencies?

Assessing the track record of Anika Systems Incorporated requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving HRM business analytics or custom computer programming. Information on past performance can often be found in federal procurement databases, agency performance reports, or through direct inquiries to agencies they have previously served. Key indicators to look for include successful completion of similar projects, client satisfaction ratings, and any history of contract disputes or performance issues. Without specific past performance data for this contract, it is assumed that the agency conducted due diligence during the procurement process to ensure the contractor's capability.

How does the awarded value of $10.7 million compare to market rates for similar HRM business analytics services?

The awarded value of $10.7 million over approximately five years (1855 days) for HRM Business Analytics services needs to be benchmarked against market rates for similar custom computer programming and data analytics services. Factors influencing market rates include the complexity of the analytics required, the level of customization, the number of users, and the specific technologies employed. A comparison with industry reports on IT service costs, or with other federal contracts for comparable services, would provide a clearer picture. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the agency likely sought competitive bids to ensure value for money. The average annual value is approximately $2.14 million, which appears reasonable for a specialized federal IT service contract.

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

Primary risks for this contract could include scope creep, contractor underperformance, data security breaches, and integration challenges with existing NSF systems. Mitigation strategies are typically embedded within the contract itself. The firm fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks. Performance standards and regular progress reviews are crucial for monitoring contractor performance. Data security protocols and compliance with federal regulations (e.g., FISMA) are essential for mitigating security risks. Clear requirements, phased implementation, and robust testing plans can help address integration challenges. The NSF's program management and oversight will be critical in identifying and addressing risks throughout the contract lifecycle.

How effective is the National Science Foundation likely to be in leveraging these HRM business analytics services to improve HR operations?

The effectiveness of these HRM business analytics services hinges on several factors beyond the contractor's performance. Internally, the NSF must have clear objectives for what improvements they expect from the analytics, possess the internal expertise to interpret and act upon the data provided, and be willing to adapt HR processes based on the insights. The quality of the data fed into the system and the system's ability to integrate with existing HR infrastructure are also critical. Assuming the contractor delivers a functional and insightful system, the NSF's internal capacity for data-driven decision-making will be the primary determinant of effectiveness in improving HR operations.

What are the historical spending patterns for HRM business analytics or similar IT services at the National Science Foundation?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for HRM business analytics or similar IT services at the National Science Foundation would provide context for the $10.7 million award. This involves examining past contracts for HR systems, data analytics platforms, and custom software development related to human resources. Understanding the volume, value, and duration of previous investments can reveal trends in the agency's IT strategy and its commitment to data-driven HR. It can also highlight whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending levels in this area, and whether previous vendors or approaches were successful.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader federal IT services market, particularly for custom computer programming?

This contract's impact on the broader federal IT services market, specifically for custom computer programming, is likely to be moderate. While $10.7 million is a significant sum, it represents a single award within a vast federal IT spending landscape. However, it signals continued demand for specialized analytics and custom development within federal agencies like the NSF. For Anika Systems Incorporated, this contract can serve as a valuable reference, potentially enhancing their reputation and competitiveness for future federal opportunities. It also contributes to the overall activity within the custom programming segment, supporting jobs and innovation in that niche.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 49100421Q0076

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 161 FORT EVANS RD NE STE 210, LEESBURG, VA, 20176

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,080,051

Exercised Options: $12,080,051

Current Obligation: $10,748,544

Actual Outlays: $8,441,137

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F056GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline