National Archives awards $21M contract for ERA 2.0 managed services to Fearless Solutions, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,031,027 ($21.0M)

Contractor: Fearless Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,459 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ERA 2.0 MANAGED SERVICES AND DEVOPS

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $21.0 million to FEARLESS SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: ERA 2.0 MANAGED SERVICES AND DEVOPS Key points: 1. Contract value of $21M over approximately 4 years suggests a significant investment in IT infrastructure. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 4. The primary service category is Computer Systems Design Services, aligning with IT modernization efforts. 5. The contract duration of nearly 4 years allows for sustained support and development. 6. The award to a single vendor, Fearless Solutions, LLC, highlights their specialized capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $21 million over nearly four years for managed services and DevOps appears reasonable for a federal IT modernization project of this scope. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale system design and support within federal agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and stable.

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,' which implies that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 6 bids suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement, which typically leads to better pricing and innovative solutions for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition indicates that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple vendors vied to offer the best value, driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the National Archives and Records Administration, which will receive enhanced IT services for its ERA 2.0 system. The contract will deliver managed services and DevOps support, crucial for the modernization and operational efficiency of a key federal system. The geographic impact is primarily within the agency's operational locations, likely supporting federal data and records management nationwide. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT personnel within Fearless Solutions, LLC, and potentially internal NARA IT staff to manage the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the managed services become highly integrated and difficult to transition.
Risk of scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed throughout the contract lifecycle.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk if the contractor faces financial or operational challenges.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a strong market assessment and a desire for best-of-breed solutions.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The duration of the contract allows for stability and long-term planning for the ERA 2.0 system.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and managed services. The federal IT market is substantial, with agencies continually investing in modernization, cloud migration, and cybersecurity. Contracts like this are typical for agencies seeking to outsource complex IT operations and development to specialized firms, aiming for greater efficiency and access to cutting-edge technologies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale IT managed services contracts awarded by agencies like GSA, DHS, or DOD.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a small business set-aside component (ss: false, sb: false). While this specific award may not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides, the prime contractor, Fearless Solutions, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors. The extent of subcontracting to small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of the ERA 2.0 managed services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Archives and Records Administration's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing any modifications. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically fall under the NARA OIG, which investigates fraud, waste, and abuse in agency programs and contracts.

Related Government Programs

ERA 1.0 Managed Services
Federal Records Management Systems
IT Modernization Initiatives
Cloud Computing Services
DevOps Implementation Contracts

Risk Flags

Vendor Lock-in Potential
Performance Monitoring Complexity
Dependency on Single Provider

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $21.0 million to FEARLESS SOLUTIONS, LLC. ERA 2.0 MANAGED SERVICES AND DEVOPS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FEARLESS SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-28.

What is the track record of Fearless Solutions, LLC in delivering similar managed services and DevOps support to federal agencies?

Fearless Solutions, LLC, is a relatively new entity, with its presence in federal contracting appearing to grow significantly in recent years. While specific details on their long-term track record for large-scale managed services and DevOps are still emerging, their ability to win a contract of this magnitude from the National Archives suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and competitive edge. Further analysis would involve examining their past performance on smaller contracts, client testimonials, and any available performance evaluations to gauge their reliability and expertise in delivering complex IT solutions. Understanding their experience with systems similar in scale and criticality to ERA 2.0 would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the per-year cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar managed IT services?

The contract's total value is approximately $21 million over roughly 4 years, equating to an average annual cost of about $5.25 million. Benchmarking this against industry rates for managed IT services and DevOps support for federal systems requires considering factors like the scope of services, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), security requirements, and the complexity of the systems supported. Generally, federal IT contracts can sometimes be priced higher than commercial equivalents due to stringent security, compliance, and reporting requirements. However, the firm-fixed-price nature and the competitive bidding process suggest an effort to achieve value. A detailed comparison would necessitate access to specific service catalogs and pricing models from commercial IT service providers for comparable federal-level support.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how will performance be measured?

While the provided data does not detail the specific KPIs and SLAs, contracts of this nature typically include stringent performance metrics. These often cover system availability (uptime), response times for issue resolution, security compliance adherence, data integrity, and successful deployment of new features or updates. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reporting by Fearless Solutions, LLC, against these agreed-upon metrics, with oversight from NARA program managers. Contractual remedies for failing to meet SLAs could include financial penalties or termination clauses, ensuring accountability for service delivery.

What is the historical spending pattern for managed services and DevOps at the National Archives and Records Administration, and how does this contract fit?

Historical spending data for NARA's IT services, particularly for managed services and DevOps, would reveal trends in their investment in system modernization and operational support. This $21 million contract for ERA 2.0 represents a significant, focused investment in a specific system's lifecycle. It suggests a strategic decision to leverage external expertise for critical IT functions, potentially indicating a shift or continuation of a trend towards outsourcing complex IT operations to ensure efficiency and access to specialized skills. Understanding past spending on similar initiatives would provide context on whether this award is an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment in such services.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for the long-term managed services of a critical system like ERA 2.0?

The primary risks of relying on a single vendor include vendor lock-in, where transitioning to a new provider becomes technically complex and costly. There's also the risk of service degradation if the vendor's performance declines, or if they face financial instability or strategic shifts. Furthermore, a single vendor may have less incentive to innovate aggressively once a long-term contract is secured, compared to a more competitive environment. Mitigating these risks often involves robust contract management, clear exit strategies, and continuous performance monitoring by the agency.

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 - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8 MARKET PL STE 200, BALTIMORE, MD, 21202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $65,567,636

Exercised Options: $52,398,313

Current Obligation: $21,031,027

Actual Outlays: $18,232,378

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB22D0251

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline