NSF awards $7.2M for HR operations support, with Rividium Inc. to provide services through April 2025

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,217,983 ($7.2M)

Contractor: Rividium Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2022-07-27

End Date: 2025-04-09

Contract Duration: 987 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HUMAN RESOURCE OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $7.2 million to RIVIDIUM INC. for work described as: HUMAN RESOURCE OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the scope of human resources consulting services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a firm-fixed-price contract type mitigating cost overruns. 4. Performance context shows a multi-year engagement for comprehensive HR support. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services, supporting federal agency operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7.2 million over approximately two years for HR operations support is within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. Benchmarking against similar HR consulting services contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the ultimate value depends on the quality and effectiveness of the services delivered by Rividium Inc.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bidders suggests a degree of competition, which typically aids in achieving more competitive pricing for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would further illuminate the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces. This approach ensures that the government is not locked into a single vendor and can leverage the best available offers.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation (NSF) benefits from enhanced human resource operations. Services delivered include HR consulting, supporting administrative and operational functions. The geographic impact is primarily within the NSF's operational locations. Workforce implications include support for NSF's HR personnel and potentially improved employee services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if performance is exceptional and renewal is pursued without re-competition.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical HR functions could pose an operational risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Multi-year contract allows for stable HR support and planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on human resources consulting. This sector is vital for supporting the operational efficiency of government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for HR support services can vary widely based on agency size and complexity, but contracts in the millions are common for comprehensive support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Rividium Inc. voluntarily engages small business subcontractors. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be necessary for a complete assessment.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Federal Human Resources Management Services
Professional and Management Consulting Services
Government Administrative Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope leading to cost issues despite FFP.
Reliance on contractor performance for critical HR functions.
Justification for 'exclusion of sources' needs review for fairness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $7.2 million to RIVIDIUM INC.. HUMAN RESOURCE OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RIVIDIUM INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-27. End: 2025-04-09.

What is Rividium Inc.'s track record with federal HR support contracts?

Rividium Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those related to human resources and administrative support. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly with agencies like the NSF or other science-focused organizations, would provide insight into their reliability and capability. Key factors to consider include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of service, and any past performance issues or commendations. A review of contract databases and performance evaluations would be necessary to fully assess their track record in this specific domain.

How does the $7.2 million contract value compare to similar HR support contracts at the NSF?

The $7.2 million contract value for HR operations support services over its duration appears to be a significant investment. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to previous or concurrent contracts awarded by the NSF for similar HR functions, considering factors like contract length, scope of services, and number of personnel supported. Additionally, comparing it to contracts awarded by other federal agencies of similar size and mission for comparable HR support can provide a broader perspective. Without specific comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent or merely fair value, but it falls within a typical range for comprehensive, multi-year federal HR support.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the NSF?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underperformance by Rividium Inc., leading to disruptions in essential HR operations. There's also a risk of scope creep if the requirements are not clearly defined and managed, potentially leading to cost increases despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Another risk is the potential loss of institutional knowledge if the contractor's personnel turnover is high. Finally, over-reliance on the contractor for critical functions could pose an operational vulnerability if the contract is terminated or not renewed.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for HR support services?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in managing costs for well-defined services like HR operations support because it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. The NSF agrees to pay a set price, and Rividium Inc. is responsible for performing the work within that budget. This provides cost certainty for the government. However, the effectiveness hinges on the initial clarity and completeness of the contract's scope of work. If unforeseen issues arise that require additional work not covered by the original scope, modifications or change orders might be necessary, potentially impacting the total cost. For services where requirements are stable and predictable, FFP is a strong choice for cost control.

What is the historical spending trend for HR support services at the NSF?

Analyzing historical spending trends for HR support services at the NSF would require access to detailed procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts related to HR operations, consulting, and support, and aggregating their values. Understanding these trends can reveal whether spending has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether the NSF relies more on internal resources or external contractors for these services. It can also highlight patterns in contract types and competition levels over time, providing context for the current $7.2 million award.

What does the 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type imply?

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the contract type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' implies that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential sources were specifically excluded from bidding. This exclusion must be justified based on specific criteria, such as national security, unique capabilities, or prior work on a related project. While it's still a form of open competition, the exclusion narrows the field from the absolute widest possible pool. The justification for these exclusions is critical for ensuring fairness and maximizing potential value for the government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 49100422R0009

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1951 KIDWELL DR, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned 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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,217,983

Exercised Options: $7,217,983

Current Obligation: $7,217,983

Actual Outlays: $7,217,983

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QREB21D0038

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline