National Science Foundation awards $78.9M IT services contract to STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC for 364 days

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $78,929 ($78.9K)

Contractor: Standard-Blazar, LLC

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2027-04-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $217/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TRELIX

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $78,928.5 to STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC for work described as: TRELIX Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a broad but potentially filtered search. 3. The contract duration of 364 days is standard for service delivery orders. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to specialized IT services. 5. The awardee, STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting based on available data. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, suggesting the primary focus was on best value without specific socio-economic goals. 7. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying a pre-established framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $78.9 million contract for a single year of IT services is challenging without more detailed scope of work and performance metrics. Given the firm-fixed-price structure, the government has defined cost expectations. However, without comparable contract data for similar services from the National Science Foundation or other agencies, assessing whether this represents excellent value for money is difficult. The number of bids (2) is low for a full and open competition, which could indicate either a highly specialized service or potentially less competitive pricing.

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.' This means the solicitation was publicly advertised, but certain sources were excluded prior to the final award decision. With only two bidders submitting proposals, the level of competition appears limited. While the process aimed for openness, the low number of bidders might suggest that the specific requirements were highly specialized, or that potential competitors were deterred for reasons not immediately apparent from the data.

Taxpayer Impact: A limited number of bidders in a full and open competition can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing for taxpayers, as the pressure to underbid competitors is reduced. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation (NSF) will benefit from the IT services provided, likely supporting its research and administrative functions. The services delivered are categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services,' indicating a broad range of potential IT support. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the awardee is located and likely where services will be performed or managed. Workforce implications are tied to the employment opportunities created by STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (2 bidders) for a full and open solicitation may indicate potential for higher costs.
The awardee, STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC, appears to be a relatively new entity in federal contracting, raising questions about its track record and capacity for large-scale IT services.
The exclusion of sources in a full and open competition warrants further investigation into the rationale behind these exclusions.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is awarded by the National Science Foundation, an agency with a mission focused on advancing scientific discovery.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it falls under an existing, potentially vetted, contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a vast and critical component of federal spending. This contract, under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), falls within the broader IT consulting and services market. Federal spending on IT services consistently ranks among the largest categories of government procurement. Comparable contracts in this space can range from millions to billions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. The market is highly competitive, with a mix of large system integrators, specialized IT firms, and emerging technology providers.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. This means the competition was not specifically limited to small businesses. Consequently, the primary awardee is likely a larger entity or one that did not qualify for or pursue small business status for this particular bid. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent missed opportunities for the small business ecosystem to participate in this significant federal contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily fall under the National Science Foundation (NSF). As a firm-fixed-price contract, the focus of oversight will be on ensuring that the services delivered meet the defined scope and quality standards within the agreed-upon price. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, with potential penalties or remedies for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, allowing for post-award analysis. The NSF likely has internal audit functions and may engage the agency's Inspector General if significant issues arise.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Cloud Computing Services
Cybersecurity Services
Software Development Services
IT Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential contractor inexperience
Unclear scope of services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $78,928.5 to STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC. TRELIX

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $78,928.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2027-04-14.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Computer Related Services' being procured by the National Science Foundation under this contract?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is broad and encompasses a wide array of IT support functions beyond standard software development or hardware maintenance. This could include IT strategy consulting, data analytics support, IT project management, network design and implementation, IT infrastructure support, and specialized technical assistance. Without the detailed Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with this specific delivery order, the precise services remain undefined. However, given the awardee is STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC, and the contract value, it likely involves significant IT operational support or project execution critical to the NSF's mission.

What is the track record and past performance of STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC with the federal government?

Based on the provided data, STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC appears to be a relatively new entrant into federal contracting. The data does not indicate a substantial history of prime contract awards or significant past performance records with federal agencies. This lack of extensive history raises potential questions regarding the company's capacity, experience, and proven ability to successfully execute large-scale IT service contracts of this magnitude ($78.9 million). While new companies can be innovative and competitive, federal agencies often rely on past performance as a key indicator of future success. Further due diligence would be required to assess their capabilities.

How does the $78.9 million contract value compare to typical IT service contracts awarded by the National Science Foundation?

The $78.9 million contract value for a single year of IT services is substantial, particularly for an agency like the National Science Foundation, whose primary mission is research funding rather than large-scale IT operations. While the NSF does procure IT services to support its operations and research initiatives, contracts of this size are typically reserved for major IT modernization efforts, enterprise-wide system implementations, or significant outsourced IT support functions. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze historical NSF IT spending patterns and the typical scope of their IT service contracts. However, this award suggests a significant IT requirement is being addressed.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract of this size to a potentially less experienced contractor like STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC?

Awarding a contract of this magnitude ($78.9 million) to a contractor with a potentially limited federal track record, such as STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC, introduces several risks. These include performance risk (the contractor may lack the experience or resources to deliver services effectively), financial risk (the contractor might face financial instability impacting service continuity), and management risk (potential challenges in oversight and communication). There's also a risk that the limited competition (2 bidders) might mean the government did not secure the most optimal pricing or solution. Mitigating these risks would require robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and proactive oversight from the National Science Foundation.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation imply for the procurement process and potential cost savings?

The designation 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that the solicitation was publicly advertised, allowing any responsible source to submit an offer. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause means that prior to the final award, certain potential offerors were excluded from the competition. The reasons for exclusion are not specified but could be due to pre-qualification requirements, specific technical capabilities, or other criteria. While this process aims for broad participation, the exclusion might limit the pool of competitors. In this case, with only two bidders, the exclusion might have significantly narrowed the field, potentially impacting the level of price competition and the ultimate cost savings realized by the government compared to a scenario with more bidders.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9547 OLD CREEK DR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22032

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $261,254

Exercised Options: $78,929

Current Obligation: $78,929

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD70B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline