Commerce Department's $73.4M IGF Technical Support Services contract awarded to The Baldwin Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $73,400,616 ($73.4M)

Contractor: Baldwin Group, Inc., the

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2013-07-16

End Date: 2019-02-28

Contract Duration: 2,053 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH CHARLESTON, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29405

State: South Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $73.4 million to BALDWIN GROUP, INC., THE for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the contract duration and scope. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a Time and Materials pricing structure that can pose cost control challenges. 4. Performance context is within administrative management and general management consulting services. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services supporting federal IT and administrative functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $73.4 million over approximately 5.7 years suggests an average annual spend of roughly $12.9 million. Benchmarking against similar administrative and management consulting contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common, can lead to higher costs if not closely managed, potentially impacting overall value for money compared to fixed-price contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition, which typically aids in price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government. However, without knowing the specific technical requirements and the number of proposals received, it's difficult to definitively assess the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

Federal agencies, specifically the Department of Commerce, benefit from enhanced administrative and management consulting services. The contract supports the delivery of technical support services crucial for the agency's operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the agency's operational locations, though specific sites are not detailed. Workforce implications include the employment of consultants and technical staff by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not diligently monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency and effectiveness.
The broad nature of 'technical support services' could lead to scope creep if not well-defined.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting process.
Contract duration of over 5 years indicates a stable, long-term need for these services.
The contractor, The Baldwin Group, Inc., has experience in providing professional services to the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of agency functions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other contracts for management consulting, IT support, and administrative services across various federal agencies. The market size for such services is substantial, reflecting the government's reliance on external expertise.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract appears limited, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve contract officers, program managers within NOAA, and potentially the Department of Commerce's Inspector General. Accountability measures are usually tied to contract performance clauses, delivery schedules, and adherence to the Statement of Work. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Services
Federal IT Spending
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Scope Creep
Limited Small Business Subcontracting Visibility

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $73.4 million to BALDWIN GROUP, INC., THE. IGF::OT::IGF TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BALDWIN GROUP, INC., THE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $73.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-07-16. End: 2019-02-28.

What is the track record of The Baldwin Group, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

The Baldwin Group, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the professional services domain. While specific details on past performance for this exact type of technical support are not provided in the summary data, their presence as a prime contractor suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and past performance requirements for government work. Further investigation into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues on other awards, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Their ability to secure a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract indicates a level of established capability and trust with federal agencies.

How does the average annual value of this contract compare to similar government-wide consulting services?

The average annual value of this contract is approximately $12.9 million ($73.4M / 5.7 years). Benchmarking this against government-wide consulting services requires access to detailed spending data and categorization of services. However, for large-scale, multi-year technical support and management consulting contracts, this annual spend is within a common range for significant federal engagements. Contracts for specialized IT support or broad administrative management can vary widely, but this figure suggests a substantial, ongoing requirement for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used in this contract?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee or profit. If the scope of work is not tightly controlled, or if inefficiencies arise in the contractor's performance, the total cost to the government can escalate beyond initial expectations. This necessitates robust government oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, and clear definition of tasks to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled spending and ensure value for money.

How effective are full and open competitions in ensuring competitive pricing for administrative and management consulting services?

Full and open competitions are generally considered the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing for a wide range of services, including administrative and management consulting. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government maximizes the pool of potential bidders, increasing the likelihood of receiving multiple proposals with varying price points and innovative solutions. This competitive pressure incentivizes bidders to offer their best pricing and most efficient service delivery models to win the contract. The presence of 3 bidders in this specific case suggests a degree of competition, which should have contributed to price discovery, although the intensity of this competition would depend on the number of proposals submitted and the specific requirements.

What is the historical spending trend for IGF Technical Support Services at NOAA?

The provided data covers a single contract award for IGF Technical Support Services from July 2013 to February 2019. To determine historical spending trends, one would need to analyze spending data for this specific service category (NAICS 541611) or similar technical support services procured by NOAA over a longer period. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for all relevant contracts awarded to NOAA for similar services, examining their award dates, values, and durations. Without this broader dataset, it is impossible to establish a trend, such as whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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

Solicitation ID: EA133C-13-RQ-0099

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 611 PENNSYLVANIA AVE SE STE 352, WASHINGTON, DC, 20003

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $79,118,724

Exercised Options: $73,400,616

Current Obligation: $73,400,616

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0312R

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline