NSF Awards $3M for Graphic Design Support to OLH Technical Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,988,750 ($3.0M)

Contractor: OLH Technical Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2022-03-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,582 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: GRAPHIC DESIGN SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $3.0 million to OLH TECHNICAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: GRAPHIC DESIGN SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for graphic design services to OLH Technical Services, LLC. 2. The contract has a ceiling of $2.99 million over approximately 4 years. 3. Awarded as a definitive contract, indicating a fixed price or labor hour structure. 4. The National Science Foundation is the contracting agency. 5. NAICS code 541512 suggests computer systems design services, which may be a broader category than graphic design.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.99 million over four years appears reasonable for specialized graphic design support services. However, without specific deliverables or comparable contract data, a precise valuation is difficult. The labor hour pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, suggesting a limited or potentially sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed. The rationale for limited competition needs further examination.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may lead to taxpayers paying a premium for these services. Transparency in the justification for limited competition is crucial for accountability.

Public Impact

Public access to NSF's visual communications and outreach materials may be impacted by the quality of these design services. The contract supports the National Science Foundation's mission to promote the progress of science. Transparency in how taxpayer funds are used for support services is essential for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns due to labor hour pricing
Ambiguity in NAICS code classification

Positive Signals

Supports critical agency functions
Long-term contract provides stability

Sector Analysis

Graphic design services fall under professional, scientific, and technical services. Benchmarks for similar contracts are highly variable based on scope, duration, and agency. The NAICS code 541512, typically for computer systems design, is unusual for graphic design and warrants clarification.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-aside opportunities were considered or missed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to ensure that the National Science Foundation effectively manages this contract, monitors labor hours, and verifies that the services provided align with the stated objectives and deliver value for the investment.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
National Science Foundation Contracting
National Science Foundation Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
NAICS code mismatch suggests potential misclassification or unclear scope.
Labor hour contract requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $3.0 million to OLH TECHNICAL SERVICES, LLC. GRAPHIC DESIGN SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OLH TECHNICAL SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What specific graphic design deliverables are expected under this contract, and how do they align with the NAICS code 541512?

The NAICS code 541512, 'Computer Systems Design Services,' is typically associated with designing, developing, and integrating hardware and software. Graphic design services usually fall under NAICS code 541430, 'Graphic Design Services.' Clarification is needed to understand if this contract encompasses broader IT-related design or if there's a misclassification. Specific deliverables should detail the scope of graphic design work, such as branding, marketing materials, web graphics, and data visualization.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a limited competition basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?

The justification for limited competition is crucial for understanding why other qualified vendors were not solicited. Factors could include specialized expertise, urgent need, or existing infrastructure integration. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the pricing reflects fair market value. A thorough review of the justification and any price negotiation records is necessary to determine if taxpayers received a reasonable deal.

How will the National Science Foundation ensure the effectiveness and value of the graphic design services provided by OLH Technical Services, LLC, given the labor hour pricing structure?

Effective oversight is paramount with labor hour contracts. The NSF should establish clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and detailed reporting requirements. Tracking the hours billed against specific tasks and deliverables will be essential to prevent scope creep and ensure that the services provided are directly contributing to the agency's mission and objectives. Benchmarking against industry standards for similar design work can also help validate value.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 49100422Q0003

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2702 DENALI ST STE 100, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,406,086

Exercised Options: $3,874,408

Current Obligation: $2,988,750

Actual Outlays: $2,621,790

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline