NITTSS BPA Order for Program Management and O&M Support Awarded to ACCELGOV LLC for $29M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,036,311 ($29.0M)

Contractor: Accelgov LLC

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2023-08-28

End Date: 2026-08-27

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NITTSS FIRST BPA ORDER- PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY CONTROL AND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

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

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $29.0 million to ACCELGOV LLC for work described as: NITTSS FIRST BPA ORDER- PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY CONTROL AND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential program management, quality control, and operations and maintenance support. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of the contract is 1095 days, indicating a medium-term commitment. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 5. ACCELGOV LLC is the prime contractor for this significant federal IT services award. 6. The National Archives and Records Administration is the primary agency involved in this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $29 million over three years for program management and O&M support appears reasonable for the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies of this size suggests that the pricing is within expected ranges. However, the Time and Materials pricing model requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep, which could inflate the final cost beyond initial projections. Without specific details on labor categories and rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall award seems aligned with market standards for comparable services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment. This approach allows the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors, which can lead to better pricing and innovative solutions. The agency's decision to use this method suggests confidence in their ability to manage a competitive process and select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through robust bidding and encourages contractors to offer competitive pricing to win the award.

Public Impact

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) benefits from enhanced program management and operational support, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of its IT services. Services delivered include program management, quality control, and operations and maintenance, crucial for maintaining NARA's digital infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contract is managed and likely where services are performed or overseen. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of personnel by ACCELGOV LLC to fulfill the contract requirements, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the IT services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously managed, as it directly reimburses labor hours and material costs.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders or the competitive range makes it difficult to fully assess the degree of price competition achieved.
The contract's duration of three years, while standard, means that potential cost savings from future market shifts or technological advancements might be locked in at current rates.

Positive Signals

The award was made under a full and open competition, indicating a commitment to leveraging market forces for the best possible outcome.
The contract addresses critical IT functions: program management, quality control, and operations and maintenance, which are vital for agency operations.
ACCELGOV LLC's selection suggests they met the agency's requirements for technical capability and performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511). The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in program management, cybersecurity, cloud migration, and operational support to maintain and modernize their systems. This contract for program management and O&M support is a common requirement across many federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services vary widely based on scope, duration, and complexity, but a $29 million award over three years for comprehensive support is a significant but not unusual investment for an agency like NARA.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, the prime contractor, ACCELGOV LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business. This suggests that the primary focus of this procurement was on obtaining services through full and open competition rather than specifically targeting small business participation. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, so the impact on the small business ecosystem is not directly ascertainable from the data, but it implies that larger businesses or joint ventures were likely the primary bidders.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing the Time and Materials aspect to control costs. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are reported. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed, NARA's Office of Inspector General would likely have oversight authority for potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract, especially given its significant value.

Related Government Programs

IT Program Management Support Services
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services
Federal IT Services BPA Orders
National Archives and Records Administration IT Spending

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Limited transparency on the number of bidders and specific competitive range.
Need for robust government oversight to manage T&M costs effectively.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical IT operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $29.0 million to ACCELGOV LLC. NITTSS FIRST BPA ORDER- PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY CONTROL AND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCELGOV 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 $29.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-28. End: 2026-08-27.

What is ACCELGOV LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the National Archives and Records Administration?

Assessing ACCELGOV LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. While this specific award is for $29 million, understanding their history with NARA and other agencies is crucial. Key indicators include on-time delivery, quality of work, contract modifications, and any past performance issues or awards. A review of federal procurement data (e.g., FPDS) would reveal the number and value of previous contracts held by ACCELGOV LLC, the agencies they've served, and the types of services provided. Positive past performance, especially with similar IT program management and O&M tasks, would increase confidence in their ability to execute this current contract successfully. Conversely, a history of disputes, performance failures, or significant contract overruns would raise concerns about their reliability and the value proposition of this award.

How does the $29 million contract value compare to similar IT program management and O&M support contracts awarded by NARA or other agencies?

The $29 million contract value for three years of program management and O&M support needs to be benchmarked against comparable federal IT services contracts. Factors influencing this comparison include the size and complexity of the agency's IT infrastructure, the specific services required (e.g., level of technical expertise, scope of maintenance), and the duration of the contract. For an agency like NARA, which manages vast amounts of historical and digital records, significant IT support is essential. If similar agencies of comparable size and mission have awarded contracts in the $8-10 million per year range for similar services, then this $29 million award appears to be within a reasonable market range. However, if comparable contracts are significantly lower, it might suggest potential overpricing or a broader scope than initially apparent. A detailed analysis would involve comparing labor rates, overhead, and profit margins across multiple contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this specific procurement?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this program management and O&M support contract is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if not closely monitored. For NARA, risks include the contractor potentially increasing labor hours billed or using more expensive materials than necessary, leading to the final cost exceeding the initial $29 million estimate. Effective risk mitigation requires robust government oversight, including detailed review of timesheets, verification of material costs, and clear definition of 'completion' for tasks to prevent scope creep and ensure accountability for efficient service delivery.

How effective are NARA's oversight mechanisms likely to be in managing this contract and ensuring value for taxpayer money?

The effectiveness of NARA's oversight mechanisms for this $29 million contract hinges on several factors. Strong contract administration, including dedicated contracting officers' representatives (CORs) with technical expertise, is crucial for monitoring performance and controlling costs under the T&M structure. Regular performance reviews, audits of labor hours and materials, and clear communication channels with ACCELGOV LLC are essential. NARA's established procurement processes and internal controls should provide a baseline for oversight. However, the agency's capacity and resources dedicated to contract management play a significant role. If NARA has a proven track record of effective contract oversight for similar IT services, then value for taxpayer money is more likely to be ensured. Conversely, understaffing or lack of specialized oversight personnel could weaken these mechanisms.

What are the historical spending patterns for program management and IT operations and maintenance support at NARA?

Analyzing NARA's historical spending patterns for program management and IT operations and maintenance (O&M) support is vital for contextualizing this $29 million award. Understanding how much NARA has spent on similar services in previous years, through which contract vehicles (e.g., IDIQs, BPAs, direct awards), and with which contractors can reveal trends and potential anomalies. For instance, if NARA's spending in this category has been steadily increasing, it might indicate growing IT needs or a shift towards outsourcing. If this $29 million award represents a significant jump compared to previous years, it warrants further investigation into the reasons, such as new initiatives or expanded scope. Conversely, if it aligns with historical averages, it suggests a consistent level of investment in these critical IT functions. Data from FPDS can provide insights into these historical expenditures.

What is the significance of this contract being awarded under a Best Available Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call?

The significance of this contract being awarded as a BPA Call lies in its procurement efficiency. A Best Available Purchase Agreement (BPA) is a contract vehicle established by a government agency to streamline the process of purchasing commonly needed supplies or services. Once a BPA is in place, agencies can issue 'calls' or 'orders' against it to specific contractors without needing to conduct a full, separate procurement for each individual need. This method is typically used when a need is anticipated to recur over time. For NARA, using a BPA Call for program management and O&M support suggests that they have pre-competed and established favorable terms and pricing with ACCELGOV LLC under a broader BPA. This allows for faster acquisition and potentially better pricing due to the pre-negotiated conditions, benefiting both the agency and taxpayers by reducing administrative burden and procurement lead times.

Industry Classification

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

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

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: 6701 DEMOCRACY BLVD, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $52,794,635

Exercised Options: $29,061,311

Current Obligation: $29,036,311

Actual Outlays: $21,974,535

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 88310323A00018

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline