DOT awards $8.3M for PHMSA administrative support, with IBEX IT Business Experts LLC as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,384,988 ($8.4M)

Contractor: Ibex IT Business Experts LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-09-10

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,663 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PHMSA ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20590

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $8.4 million to IBEX IT BUSINESS EXPERTS LLC for work described as: PHMSA ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of administrative support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of nearly 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Performance is measured through delivery orders, allowing for flexibility and task-specific oversight. 5. This contract falls within the broader administrative and support services sector for the federal government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.3 million over approximately 5.5 years for administrative support services appears to be within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness. Without specific details on the labor categories and rates, a definitive comparison is challenging, but the overall award amount does not immediately suggest overpricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which indicates that while the initial solicitation may have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. This suggests that multiple bidders had the opportunity to compete, which is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation implies a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and better service quality compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) will benefit from enhanced administrative support, enabling more efficient operations. Services delivered include essential office administrative functions crucial for the agency's mission. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is located. The contract supports the administrative workforce, potentially including both incumbent and new personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly through delivery orders.
Reliance on labor hours necessitates careful monitoring of productivity and efficiency.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Long contract duration allows for stable support and potential for contractor expertise development.
Delivery order structure allows for task-specific performance management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative and support services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of professional and business support functions. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, utilizing them across numerous agencies to maintain operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks in this sector are vast, but contracts for office administrative services typically range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the scope and duration. PHMSA's need for these services aligns with the general trend of agencies outsourcing or contracting for specialized administrative functions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, IBEX IT Business Experts LLC, is responsible for managing the entire contract scope.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is managed by the Department of Transportation, specifically the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Performance is likely monitored through the issuance and management of delivery orders, ensuring that services meet defined requirements and quality standards. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms and conditions, with potential for performance reviews and remedies for non-compliance. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award information is publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal Administrative Support Services
Department of Transportation Contracts
PHMSA Operations Support
Office Administrative Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not efficiently managed.
Risk of performance issues if contractor fails to meet administrative support needs.
Need for robust oversight to ensure delivery orders align with agency priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $8.4 million to IBEX IT BUSINESS EXPERTS LLC. PHMSA ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IBEX IT BUSINESS EXPERTS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-10. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the track record of IBEX IT Business Experts LLC with federal contracts, particularly in administrative support?

IBEX IT Business Experts LLC has a history of performing federal contracts. Analyzing their past performance, especially in administrative support services, is crucial for assessing their capability and reliability on this PHMSA contract. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings on previous awards, and any instances of contract disputes or challenges. This information helps in understanding their experience level and potential risks associated with their performance on the current $8.3 million award. While the provided data confirms them as the prime contractor, a deeper dive into their specific contract portfolio and client feedback is necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

How does the awarded amount of $8.3 million compare to similar administrative support contracts within the federal government?

The $8.3 million award for PHMSA administrative support services over approximately 5.5 years represents a moderate-sized contract within the federal landscape. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to contracts for similar services (e.g., office administration, program support) awarded by other agencies of comparable size and mission. Factors such as the specific tasks included, the labor categories and rates, and the contract duration are critical for a fair comparison. If similar agencies are awarding contracts in the $1-2 million per year range for comparable support, then this $8.3 million award appears to be in line with market expectations. However, a detailed analysis would require access to a broader dataset of federal administrative support contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this administrative support contract could include performance deficiencies, cost overruns due to inefficient labor utilization, and potential scope creep. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded within the contract's structure and oversight mechanisms. The use of delivery orders allows PHMSA to manage tasks incrementally, providing opportunities to assess performance before committing to larger scopes. The 'Full and Open Competition' award suggests a competitive environment that incentivizes the contractor to perform well to secure future work. Furthermore, standard federal contract clauses regarding performance standards, reporting requirements, and remedies for non-performance serve as inherent risk mitigation tools. Active contract management by PHMSA is key to identifying and addressing any emerging risks.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' in ensuring competitive pricing for taxpayers?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' mechanism aims to balance broad competition with specific agency needs. By allowing full competition after initial exclusions (which might be based on specific technical requirements or past performance), it ensures that a wide range of capable vendors can bid. This broad participation generally drives down prices through market forces, benefiting taxpayers. However, the 'exclusion of sources' aspect means that not *all* potential vendors were considered from the outset. The effectiveness hinges on whether the exclusions were justified and if the remaining pool of bidders was sufficiently competitive. If the exclusions were minimal and the competition robust, it's likely to yield good pricing for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for administrative support services at PHMSA or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for administrative support services at PHMSA or similar agencies would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and types of services procured. Analyzing past awards can indicate whether the current $8.3 million contract is an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending levels. It can also highlight shifts in procurement strategies, such as moving from multiple smaller contracts to a single larger one, or changes in the competitive landscape. Understanding this history provides context for the current award, helping to assess its reasonableness and identify any significant deviations that might warrant further investigation regarding program needs or market conditions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3295 RIVER EXCHANGE DR STE 550, NORCROSS, GA, 30092

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,384,988

Exercised Options: $8,384,988

Current Obligation: $8,384,988

Actual Outlays: $7,959,481

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693JJ320D000016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline