GSA awards $34.6M for IT services to Global Support Services LLC via sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,642,070 ($34.6M)

Contractor: Global Support Services LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2013-06-24

End Date: 2017-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,498 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY PROCESS

Place of Performance

Location: DAYTON, GREENE County, OHIO, 45433

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $34.6 million to GLOBAL SUPPORT SERVICES LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY PROCESS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single vendor, limiting competitive pricing. 2. Significant contract value for 'Other Computer Related Services' category. 3. Long duration (1498 days) suggests a critical, ongoing need. 4. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure, combined with a lack of competition, makes a direct pricing assessment difficult. Without benchmarks or competitive bids, it's hard to determine if the $34.6M represents fair value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was considered. This significantly limits price discovery and competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition likely resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the lack of competitive bidding. Limited transparency into the justification for a sole-source award. Potential for reduced service quality if vendor faces no competitive pressure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of competition
No small business participation

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a single entity, potentially indicating specialized capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Computer Related Services' sector is broad, encompassing various IT support functions. A $34.6M contract for these services over nearly five years is substantial, but benchmarks are difficult without specific service details.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract, which is a missed opportunity to support smaller businesses and potentially foster innovation through diverse vendor pools.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the justification was sound and that the pricing reflects fair market value, despite the lack of competition.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Time and Materials pricing increases risk of overspending.
No small business participation noted.
Long contract duration without clear performance metrics.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $34.6 million to GLOBAL SUPPORT SERVICES LLC. IGF::CL::IGF SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY PROCESS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL SUPPORT SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-06-24. End: 2017-07-31.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding why competition was bypassed. Agencies typically require detailed documentation proving that only one vendor can meet the requirement, or that exceptional circumstances necessitate a non-competitive approach. Without this justification, it's impossible to assess if taxpayer funds were used efficiently or if a more competitive avenue was overlooked.

How does the Time and Materials pricing structure compare to industry standards for similar IT services, especially given the sole-source nature?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts can be risky without strong oversight, as they incentivize effort rather than outcomes. When combined with a sole-source award, the lack of competitive benchmarks makes it difficult to validate if the hourly rates and material costs are reasonable. A thorough review would compare these rates against government-wide contract vehicles or industry surveys for comparable IT services.

What performance metrics or deliverables were established to ensure the effectiveness and value of the services provided under this contract?

For a contract of this value and duration, clear performance metrics and deliverables are essential to gauge effectiveness and ensure value for money. Without them, it's challenging to hold the contractor accountable for the quality and impact of the services rendered. Understanding these metrics would provide insight into whether the $34.6M investment yielded the intended results for the agency.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: ID05130043

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4600 DEBARR RD STE 200, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99508

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,967,573

Exercised Options: $37,967,573

Current Obligation: $34,642,070

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: SUPPLIES OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Timeline