EPA awards $3M+ for IT help desk support to Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,048,396 ($3.0M)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2023-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: U.S. EPA CENTRAL DATA EXCHANGE (CDX) HELP DESK SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF MISSION SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20460

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $3.0 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: U.S. EPA CENTRAL DATA EXCHANGE (CDX) HELP DESK SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF MISSION SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT help desk support for EPA's Central Data Exchange. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating predictable costs. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. 4. The duration of the contract is three years, aligning with typical IT support cycles. 5. The awardee, Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC, is a significant player in government IT services. 6. The service falls under computer systems design, a common category for IT support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3 million over three years for IT help desk support appears reasonable for the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies of the EPA's size suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs and provides predictability for the agency, indicating good value for money.

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 broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests a competitive environment that should drive price discovery and ensure a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process, even with exclusions, aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by encouraging multiple qualified vendors to offer their services at competitive rates.

Public Impact

EPA employees and contractors will benefit from reliable IT help desk support, ensuring smooth operations of the Central Data Exchange (CDX). The CDX is critical for environmental data submission and management, so uninterrupted support is vital for regulatory compliance and environmental protection efforts. The services are delivered within the District of Columbia, impacting the local IT support workforce. This contract supports the operational efficiency of a key environmental data platform for the U.S.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if service levels are not rigorously managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT support functions.
Need for clear performance metrics and regular reviews to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Award to a company with demonstrated experience in government IT services.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Long-term contract duration allows for stable service delivery and knowledge retention.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on IT support services. The market for government IT support is substantial, with agencies consistently outsourcing these functions to specialized firms. The EPA's need for help desk support for its Central Data Exchange is a common requirement across federal agencies managing large data systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT help desk services vary widely based on scope, but contracts in the low millions for multi-year support are typical for agencies of the EPA's size.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb flags are false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The focus appears to be on obtaining the best value through full and open competition.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the EPA's Office of Mission Support, which is the beneficiary of the services. Performance will be monitored through contract clauses, service level agreements, and regular reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice. The Inspector General's office of the EPA may conduct audits or investigations if performance issues or concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

EPA IT Support Services
Federal Help Desk Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services
Environmental Data Management Systems Support
IT Services for Regulatory Agencies

Risk Flags

Contract performance risk
Cybersecurity risk
Vendor lock-in potential
Key personnel dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $3.0 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. U.S. EPA CENTRAL DATA EXCHANGE (CDX) HELP DESK SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF MISSION SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC in providing similar IT support services to federal agencies?

Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC (CNSSI) has a significant track record of providing IT and technical services to various U.S. federal agencies. They have experience in areas such as network engineering, cybersecurity, software development, and IT help desk support. Past performance information, often detailed in contract award documents or available through federal procurement databases, would typically highlight their success in meeting performance metrics, managing complex IT environments, and supporting critical agency missions. Their experience with other agencies suggests a familiarity with federal procurement regulations and operational requirements, which is a positive indicator for this EPA contract.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or initial budget for this IT support service?

The provided data shows an award amount of $3,048,396.26. Without access to the initial budget or estimated value set by the EPA for this specific requirement, a direct comparison is not possible. However, the contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which typically implies that the bidding process aimed to achieve a price competitive with or below the government's estimate. If the award is close to the government's estimate, it suggests the estimate was realistic. If it's significantly lower, it could indicate strong competition or potentially aggressive pricing by the awardee.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

While the specific KPIs and SLAs are not detailed in the provided summary data, IT help desk support contracts typically include metrics focused on response times, resolution times, customer satisfaction, and system availability. For the EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) help desk, critical SLAs would likely involve the speed at which user issues are acknowledged and resolved, the percentage of issues resolved on the first contact, and the uptime of the support systems themselves. These metrics are crucial for ensuring the continuous operation of the CDX and minimizing disruptions for EPA personnel and data submitters.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor or the nature of the services being provided?

Potential risks include standard IT service delivery challenges such as unexpected technical issues, staffing turnover by the contractor, or cybersecurity threats targeting the help desk infrastructure. Given that this is a firm-fixed-price contract, there's a risk that the contractor might cut corners on service quality if not adequately monitored, although the 'full and open competition' aspect should mitigate this by incentivizing good performance. The reliance on a single contractor for critical support also presents a risk if the contractor fails to perform or faces financial instability. Robust oversight and clear performance metrics are key to mitigating these risks.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT help desk support at the EPA or similar agencies?

Historical spending on IT help desk support at the EPA and similar large federal agencies is typically substantial and consistent, reflecting the ongoing need for user support across complex IT infrastructures. Agencies often award multi-year contracts for these services, with values ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the agency's size and the scope of IT services. The $3 million award over three years for the CDX help desk is in line with typical spending for such specialized support functions within a federal agency. Fluctuations in spending can occur due to technology upgrades, changes in service delivery models, or shifts in agency priorities.

How does the contract type (Firm Fixed Price) influence the risk and cost for the EPA?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally favorable for the government when the scope of work is well-defined, as it is for IT help desk support. This structure shifts most of the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, providing the EPA with cost certainty. The agency knows the maximum amount it will pay, simplifying budget management. For the contractor, the risk lies in accurately estimating costs and managing resources efficiently to maintain profitability. While FFP limits the government's exposure to cost increases, it necessitates careful initial scope definition to avoid disputes or inadequate service if the contractor underbid.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cherokee Nation

Address: 2 W. 2ND ST, TULSA, OK, 74103

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,254,682

Exercised Options: $3,309,935

Current Obligation: $3,048,396

Actual Outlays: $2,556,351

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB21D0333

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline