NSF awards $7.2M for data analytics support, with 2 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,220,776 ($7.2M)

Contractor: Federal Management Partners, LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2023-04-10

End Date: 2027-04-09

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DATA ANALYTICS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TIP AND ENG DIRECTORATES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22206

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $7.2 million to FEDERAL MANAGEMENT PARTNERS, LLC for work described as: DATA ANALYTICS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TIP AND ENG DIRECTORATES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the contract duration and scope. 2. Competition was limited, with only two bids submitted. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, primarily related to performance monitoring. 4. This contract supports critical data analytics functions for NSF directorates. 5. The contractor has a track record in management consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $7.2 million over four years for data analytics support services suggests a moderate annual value. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services is challenging without more specific scope details. However, the number of bids received (2) may indicate that the pricing was not highly competitive, potentially leading to a fair, rather than excellent, value proposition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, but only two bids were received. This limited competition could suggest potential barriers to entry for other firms or a lack of market interest at the specified terms. While two bidders provide some level of price discovery, it is less robust than a scenario with numerous competing proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited number of bidders may have resulted in a higher price for taxpayers than if there had been broader competition.

Public Impact

Benefits NSF directorates by providing essential data analytics support. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting. Geographic impact is primarily within the National Science Foundation's operational areas. Workforce implications include potential support roles for data analysts and consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Performance metrics and oversight need to be robust to ensure value.
Contract duration could pose a risk if requirements change significantly.

Positive Signals

Contractor has experience in management consulting.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating initial market access.
Clear contract period with defined end date.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of service providers, from large corporations to specialized small businesses. The market size for such services is substantial, driven by government and private sector needs for expertise in data analysis, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. This award represents a small portion of overall federal spending in this category.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract is likely minimal unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be managed by the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement, requiring adherence to specific deliverables and service levels. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Consulting Services
Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Commercialization Support Services
Data Analytics Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not managed
Contractor performance risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $7.2 million to FEDERAL MANAGEMENT PARTNERS, LLC. DATA ANALYTICS SUPPORT SERVICES FOR TIP AND ENG DIRECTORATES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FEDERAL MANAGEMENT PARTNERS, LLC.

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: 2023-04-10. End: 2027-04-09.

What is the track record of Federal Management Partners, LLC with the National Science Foundation?

Federal Management Partners, LLC has a history of receiving contracts from the National Science Foundation. While this specific award is for data analytics support, their previous engagements with NSF likely span various administrative and management consulting services. Analyzing past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of service, and adherence to budget, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness. A review of contract databases and performance evaluations, if publicly accessible, would be necessary to fully assess their track record with NSF.

How does the $7.2 million award compare to similar data analytics support contracts at NSF?

Comparing this $7.2 million award to similar data analytics support contracts at the National Science Foundation requires access to historical contract data for comparable services. Factors such as contract duration (4 years), specific deliverables, labor mix, and the complexity of the data analytics required would influence the total value. Given the limited competition (2 bids), it's possible this award is within a fair market range, but without direct benchmarks for highly similar services and competition levels, a definitive value comparison is difficult. The annual value of approximately $1.8 million per year should be assessed against the scope of work.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to delays or subpar data analytics support, which could impact NSF's decision-making and operational efficiency. Another risk is the limited competition, which might result in less favorable pricing than could be achieved in a more robustly contested procurement. Furthermore, if the scope of work is not precisely defined or if requirements evolve significantly over the four-year period, there's a risk of scope creep or contract disputes. Ensuring strong contract management and performance monitoring by NSF is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the current competition level in ensuring price discovery for this service?

The current competition level, with only two bids received, offers a basic level of price discovery but is not optimal. Two bidders provide a comparison point, allowing the NSF to assess if the proposed prices are reasonable relative to each other. However, a higher number of bidders typically drives prices down further as companies compete more aggressively. This limited competition might mean that Federal Management Partners, LLC's bid is not the lowest possible price achievable in a broader market. The NSF's procurement team would have evaluated the bids against cost estimates and market research to ensure reasonableness.

What is the historical spending pattern for data analytics support services at NSF?

To determine the historical spending pattern for data analytics support services at the National Science Foundation, a comprehensive review of past contracts awarded for similar services would be necessary. This would involve analyzing contract databases to identify trends in contract values, durations, types of services procured (e.g., data warehousing, predictive analytics, business intelligence), and the number of competitors in previous solicitations. Understanding these patterns can help contextualize the current $7.2 million award, indicating whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether the current procurement represents a typical or outlier investment.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2900 SOUTH QUINCY STREET SUITE 200, ARLINGTON, VA, 22206

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,192,836

Exercised Options: $7,557,788

Current Obligation: $7,220,776

Actual Outlays: $5,012,829

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $3,889,005

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 49100421D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline