SEC awards $10.18M contract for IPASS 2.0 services to C2 Alaska, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,180,595 ($10.2M)

Contractor: C2 Alaska, LLC

Awarding Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission

Start Date: 2023-05-01

End Date: 2027-04-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IPASS 2.0 SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF OSO FOR FOIA

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78240

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Securities and Exchange Commission obligated $10.2 million to C2 ALASKA, LLC for work described as: IPASS 2.0 SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF OSO FOR FOIA Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting. 2. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 4. Performance period spans four years, indicating a long-term need. 5. Contractor C2 Alaska, LLC is based in Texas. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value is $10.18 million over four years. Without specific benchmarks for IPASS 2.0 services or comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the government. However, the absence of detailed performance metrics or comparison data makes it difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and the market rates for similar specialized support services.

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 indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources were excluded prior to the solicitation. The specific reasons for this exclusion are not detailed, which could limit the breadth of competition. The number of bidders is not provided, making it difficult to assess the intensity of competition and its potential impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'full and open competition' aspect is generally positive for taxpayers, suggesting an effort to obtain competitive pricing. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly restrict competition and lead to higher costs.

Public Impact

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) benefits from enhanced administrative management and general management consulting services. The contract supports the IPASS 2.0 system, likely improving internal processes and data management. Services are delivered to the SEC, primarily impacting its internal operations and potentially its regulatory functions. The contract is based in Texas, suggesting potential workforce implications in that geographic region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type could limit competitive pricing if not well-justified.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it hard to gauge true value for money.
The specific nature of 'IPASS 2.0 services' is not fully defined, raising questions about scope creep potential.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Awarded under a 'full and open competition' framework, indicating an attempt at broad market engagement.
The four-year duration suggests a stable, ongoing requirement for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of professional services. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The SEC's spending in this area is likely driven by the need for efficient internal operations and support for its complex regulatory functions. Benchmarking would require comparing this contract's scope and value to similar consulting engagements within federal agencies or large private sector organizations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it detail subcontracting plans. The contractor, C2 Alaska, LLC, is based in Texas. Without further information on subcontracting requirements or the size status of C2 Alaska, LLC, its impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities would be necessary to assess the broader impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) contracting officers and program managers. The firm fixed price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency regarding the specific services rendered and performance outcomes would be key to assessing accountability. The contract does not explicitly mention Inspector General jurisdiction, but the SEC's Office of Inspector General typically has oversight over agency expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management Services
General Management Consulting Services
Information Technology Support Services
Federal IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Competition Limitation
Lack of Performance Benchmarks
Undefined Scope of Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Securities and Exchange Commission awarded $10.2 million to C2 ALASKA, LLC. IPASS 2.0 SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF OSO FOR FOIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is C2 ALASKA, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (Securities and Exchange Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.

What is the specific nature and scope of the 'IPASS 2.0 Services' being procured?

The provided data abbreviates the service as 'IPASS 2.0 SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF OSO FOR FOIA'. This suggests the contract is for services related to a system named IPASS 2.0, likely an internal platform or software, which supports the Office of the Solicitor's Office (OSO) in handling Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. These services could encompass system maintenance, upgrades, user support, data management, process optimization, and reporting related to FOIA processing. The exact functionalities and technical specifications of IPASS 2.0 would need to be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) to fully understand the scope.

How does the $10.18 million contract value compare to similar SEC IT or administrative support contracts?

A direct comparison of the $10.18 million contract value for 'IPASS 2.0 Services' to similar SEC contracts requires access to a broader dataset of SEC procurements, specifically those categorized under administrative management, general management consulting, or IT support for internal systems. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average expenditure. However, considering it's a four-year contract for specialized support, the annual value of approximately $2.55 million appears reasonable for a federal agency's internal system support, assuming the scope is substantial.

What are the potential risks associated with C2 Alaska, LLC's performance on this contract?

Potential risks associated with C2 Alaska, LLC's performance could include technical challenges in supporting or enhancing the IPASS 2.0 system, particularly if it involves complex legacy components or requires specialized knowledge. There's also a risk related to personnel turnover, which could disrupt service continuity. Given the 'exclusion of sources' clause, there might be a risk that the chosen vendor, while capable, may not have been subjected to the most rigorous competitive pressure, potentially impacting innovation or cost-efficiency over the contract's life. Ensuring robust contract management and performance monitoring by the SEC will be crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for IPASS 2.0 services or similar support at the SEC?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for IPASS 2.0 services or similar support functions at the SEC. To establish a historical context, one would need to analyze past contract awards for FOIA support systems, administrative management tools, or general IT consulting services within the SEC. Understanding previous expenditures, contract durations, and vendor performance would help determine if the current $10.18 million award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment in these types of services. This analysis is crucial for identifying trends and assessing budget predictability.

What does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' designation imply for accountability?

The designation 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' implies a nuanced approach to accountability. While 'full and open' suggests an intent to solicit from the widest possible pool of qualified vendors, the 'exclusion of sources' clause indicates that certain potential bidders were preemptively disqualified. Accountability here involves the agency's justification for excluding specific sources; this justification should be transparent and defensible to ensure fair competition. If the exclusion was arbitrary or lacked a clear rationale, it could undermine accountability by limiting the government's ability to secure the best possible value and potentially leading to perceptions of favoritism.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5253 PRUE RD STE 230, SAN ANTONIO, TX, 78240

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,025,992

Exercised Options: $10,180,595

Current Obligation: $10,180,595

Actual Outlays: $6,608,712

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 50310221D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline