CPSC awards $830K for FOIAXPRESS PAL/HELPDESK to Carahsoft Technology Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $83,025 ($83.0K)

Contractor: Carahsoft Technology Corp

Awarding Agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission

Start Date: 2024-02-21

End Date: 2027-02-19

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $76/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FOIAXPRESS PAL|HELPDESK

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Consumer Product Safety Commission obligated $83,025.2 to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP for work described as: FOIAXPRESS PAL|HELPDESK Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Carahsoft Technology Corp. for software services. 2. The contract is for a firm-fixed-price delivery order. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. The sector is Software Publishers, a common area for government IT spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $830,252.00 for a 3-year period appears reasonable for specialized software and support services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for helpdesk and FOIA management software would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for taxpayer value, as it encourages a competitive marketplace for government services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical FOIA processing and helpdesk services for the CPSC. Supports agency compliance with Freedom of Information Act requests. Provides essential IT support for CPSC personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized software is used.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests market responsiveness.

Sector Analysis

The Software Publishers sector (NAICS 511210) encompasses companies that develop, publish, and/or distribute software. Government spending in this area is substantial, covering everything from operating systems to specialized agency applications. Benchmarks vary widely based on software complexity and support needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is Carahsoft Technology Corp., a large reseller. There is no explicit information on whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if this contract specifically aimed to support small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, suggesting it has likely undergone some level of initial review. Further oversight would involve monitoring performance against contract requirements and ensuring adherence to terms.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
Consumer Product Safety Commission Contracting
Consumer Product Safety Commission Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for high cost if specialized software requires significant customization.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical FOIA processing and helpdesk.
Limited insight into specific performance metrics from the provided data.
The awardee is a reseller, adding a layer to the supply chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Consumer Product Safety Commission awarded $83,025.2 to CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP. FOIAXPRESS PAL|HELPDESK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CARAHSOFT TECHNOLOGY CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Consumer Product Safety Commission (Consumer Product Safety Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $83,025.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-21. End: 2027-02-19.

What is the specific functionality of FOIAXPRESS PAL and how does it compare to alternative solutions in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness?

FOIAXPRESS PAL is a software solution designed to manage and streamline the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request process. It typically includes features for tracking requests, managing deadlines, redacting sensitive information, and generating reports. Its efficiency and cost-effectiveness would be assessed by comparing its features, implementation costs, ongoing maintenance, and user adoption rates against other FOIA management software available on the market, considering the specific needs of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will vendor performance be measured to ensure effective service delivery?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely include metrics such as the average time to process a FOIA request, the percentage of requests completed within statutory deadlines, helpdesk response and resolution times, and user satisfaction ratings. Vendor performance would be measured against these KPIs through regular reporting, user feedback mechanisms, and potentially site visits or audits by the CPSC contracting officer's representative to ensure the software and support services meet the agency's operational needs effectively.

Given the firm-fixed-price structure, what mechanisms are in place to prevent scope creep and ensure the $830,252.00 award remains the total cost for the contract duration?

A firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty, meaning the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs. To prevent scope creep, the contract will have a clearly defined statement of work (SOW) and specific deliverables. Any changes or additions to the scope would require a formal contract modification, including a review of the impact on cost and schedule, and formal approval by the CPSC. This ensures that the $830,252.00 remains the ceiling unless a documented and approved change occurs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: CPS-2240-23-0050

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11493 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $139,512

Exercised Options: $83,025

Current Obligation: $83,025

Actual Outlays: $56,415

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSWA18D008F

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline