NSF Awards $2.95M to Windsor Group LLC for Single Application Portal Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,951,071 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Windsor Group LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2022-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SINGLE APPLICATION PORTAL (SAP) SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CHEVY CHASE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20815

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $3.0 million to WINDSOR GROUP LLC for work described as: SINGLE APPLICATION PORTAL (SAP) SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Windsor Group LLC for SAP support. 2. The contract is for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 3. Awarded by the National Science Foundation, with services in Maryland. 4. The contract duration is 5 years, ending January 31, 2027. 5. This is a definitive contract valued at $2,951,070.81.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.95M over 5 years appears reasonable for specialized IT support services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for application portal management and consulting would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a fully competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The lack of competition raises concerns about cost-effectiveness and whether the best possible price was secured.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and support for the NSF's Single Application Portal. Supports administrative and management consulting services critical to NSF operations. Potential impact on researchers and applicants using the portal for grants and applications. Long-term contract may indicate a critical need for this specific vendor's expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns due to limited bidding
Vendor lock-in possibility

Positive Signals

Essential service for NSF operations
Long-term support ensures stability
Specific expertise likely required

Sector Analysis

The IT consulting sector is highly competitive, but specific application portal support can be niche. Benchmarks for similar long-term support contracts in government IT are essential for assessing value.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-asides were considered or if this contract falls outside typical small business contracting categories.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight by the National Science Foundation is crucial to ensure the contractor meets performance requirements and that funds are used efficiently. Regular performance reviews and audits are recommended.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
National Science Foundation Contracting
National Science Foundation Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about cost-effectiveness.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of support.
Lack of small business participation.
Contract duration of 5 years requires ongoing vigilance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $3.0 million to WINDSOR GROUP LLC. SINGLE APPLICATION PORTAL (SAP) SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WINDSOR GROUP 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: 2022-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'Single Application Portal' and its criticality to the NSF's mission?

The Single Application Portal (SAP) likely serves as a centralized system for managing grant applications, proposals, and related administrative processes within the National Science Foundation. Its criticality stems from being the primary interface for researchers seeking funding and for NSF staff managing the grant lifecycle. Ensuring its robust functionality and support is vital for the efficient operation of scientific research funding.

Given the limited competition, what steps were taken to ensure a fair and reasonable price was negotiated?

When a contract is not available for competition, agencies typically rely on mechanisms like historical pricing data, independent government cost estimates, or price analysis techniques to ensure a fair and reasonable price. The agency should have documented its justification for limiting competition and the basis for its price negotiation, potentially involving technical experts to validate cost components.

How will the effectiveness of Windsor Group LLC's support be measured and evaluated throughout the contract's duration?

Effectiveness is typically measured through performance metrics defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). This could include uptime percentages for the portal, response times for support requests, successful implementation of updates or new features, and user satisfaction surveys. The NSF should have a formal process for monitoring these metrics and conducting regular performance reviews with the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: 49100422Q0011

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9658 BALTIMORE AVE STE 300, COLLEGE PARK, MD, 20740

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,344,526

Exercised Options: $3,057,783

Current Obligation: $2,951,071

Actual Outlays: $2,081,699

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline