PMO Support contract awarded to NORTHRAMP LLC for over $10.8 million by DFC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,890,567 ($10.9M)

Contractor: Northramp LLC

Awarding Agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Start Date: 2022-03-25

End Date: 2026-12-08

Contract Duration: 1,719 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: PMO SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20527

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation obligated $10.9 million to NORTHRAMP LLC for work described as: PMO SUPPORT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 4-year duration and Time and Materials pricing structure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with the primary risk being potential cost overruns inherent in T&M contracts. 4. Performance context is limited without specific task orders or performance metrics. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically custom computer programming. 6. The contract's value is significant but within the range for large-scale IT support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of over $10.8 million for a period of nearly four years suggests a moderate per-year expenditure. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure introduces inherent risk for cost control, as actual hours and material costs are billed. Benchmarking against similar PMO support contracts would require more detailed data on the specific services rendered and the labor categories involved. However, the overall value seems aligned with the duration and scope of services typically required for program management support in a federal agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method of procurement generally fosters a competitive environment. A competitive process is expected to drive down prices and encourage innovation from offerors seeking to win the contract. The agency's choice of full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for their investment. Full and open competition increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and high-quality services.

Public Impact

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) benefits from this contract by receiving essential program management support. Services delivered include custom computer programming and related IT support, crucial for agency operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is located. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled IT professionals to be employed by the contractor to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor efficiency.
Reliance on a single BPA Call could limit flexibility if the underlying BPA terms are not optimal.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Contract duration of nearly four years provides stability for program support.
Contractor NORTHRAMP LLC is established, though specific past performance details are not provided here.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and related project management support. The IT services market for federal agencies is substantial, with significant spending allocated annually to software development, system integration, and IT consulting. Contracts like this are essential for agencies to maintain and modernize their technological infrastructure and support their mission-critical operations. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar PMO support services within the federal IT landscape would require analyzing the scope of work and the specific skill sets required.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'ss' field is false, indicating no small business set-aside. Furthermore, the 'sb' field is also false, suggesting no specific subcontracting goals for small businesses were mandated within this award. This means that larger businesses are likely to be the primary recipients of this contract funding, with limited direct benefit to the small business ecosystem unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages them for subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are usually tied to the delivery of services as outlined in the contract's statement of work and task orders. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise concerning the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

IT Project Management Services
Custom Computer Programming Services
IT Support Services
Program Management Support
Federal IT Consulting

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Reliance on BPA call mechanism requires scrutiny of underlying BPA terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded $10.9 million to NORTHRAMP LLC. PMO SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHRAMP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (U.S. International Development Finance Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-25. End: 2026-12-08.

What is the specific nature of the PMO support provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'PMO SUPPORT' and falls under the NAICS code '541511' for Custom Computer Programming Services. While the specific tasks are not detailed, PMO (Program Management Office) support typically involves a range of activities such as project planning, scheduling, resource management, risk assessment, budget tracking, and reporting. For the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), this likely translates to supporting the management of various development finance programs and projects, ensuring they align with agency goals, adhere to timelines, and stay within budget. The 'Custom Computer Programming Services' aspect suggests that the support may also involve the development or maintenance of software tools used by the PMO or related to the programs being managed.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change, allowing flexibility. However, they carry a higher risk of cost overruns for the government compared to fixed-price contracts, as the contractor is reimbursed for actual labor hours and material costs, plus a fixed fee or percentage. For IT support and programming services, T&M can be suitable for undefined tasks or rapid prototyping. Agencies often prefer Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts when requirements are well-defined to ensure cost certainty. Hybrid approaches, like Time and Materials with a Ceiling (T&M-C), are also common to mitigate risk by setting a maximum expenditure. The DFC's choice of T&M suggests a need for flexibility, but it necessitates robust oversight to manage costs effectively.

What is the historical spending pattern for PMO support at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for PMO support at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) requires access to comprehensive contract databases beyond the single award provided. Without broader data, it's impossible to establish a trend. However, the current contract's value of over $10.8 million over nearly four years suggests a significant and ongoing need for program management expertise within the DFC. Agencies often increase IT and support spending as their missions expand or as they undertake complex, multi-year initiatives. Understanding if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending would necessitate comparing it to previous DFC contracts for similar services and examining the agency's overall budget and strategic priorities.

What are the potential risks associated with NORTHRAMP LLC's performance on this contract?

The primary risk associated with NORTHRAMP LLC's performance stems from the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure. This model can incentivize longer task durations and potentially less efficient work if not closely monitored. Without specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) detailed in the provided data, assessing the contractor's ability to deliver high-quality services efficiently is challenging. Other potential risks include key personnel turnover, which could disrupt project continuity, and the contractor's ability to adapt to evolving DFC requirements. Effective oversight by the DFC's contracting officer and program managers will be crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure successful contract performance.

How does the BPA Call award mechanism impact competition and value?

This contract was awarded as a 'BPA CALL', meaning it was issued under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are simplified acquisition methods used to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. While BPAs themselves can be established through competitive means, individual calls against a BPA might have varying levels of competition. If the underlying BPA was competitively awarded and allows for multiple calls with different vendors, it can foster ongoing competition. However, if the BPA is with a single vendor or the call process is not well-defined, it could limit competition. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation for this specific call suggests that the agency sought competitive bids for this particular task order, which is a positive sign for value, assuming the BPA itself was established competitively.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1818 LIBRARY ST, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,974,789

Exercised Options: $10,890,567

Current Obligation: $10,890,567

Actual Outlays: $8,436,132

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 77344422A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline