GSA awards $16.6M for Science and Technology Directorate Support to American Systems Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,638,135 ($16.6M)

Contractor: American Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2017-09-26

End Date: 2022-09-25

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF--SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33621

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $16.6 million to AMERICAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF--SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Delivery order type suggests a flexible approach to service acquisition. 4. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, American Systems Corporation. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. The contract was awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the engineering services provided. The total award amount of $16.6 million over five years averages to approximately $3.32 million per year. This figure needs to be compared against the scope and complexity of the scientific and technological support rendered. Without comparable contract data or detailed performance metrics, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. The Time and Materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.

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 two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While two bidders is better than one, a higher number of bids typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government. The GSA's procurement process aims to ensure fair competition, but the limited number of bids warrants further investigation into potential barriers to entry or market concentration.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process, even with two bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging vendors to offer competitive pricing. However, a higher number of bids would likely have provided even greater assurance of the best possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the various government agencies or programs that require science and technology directorate support. The services delivered are engineering-related, supporting scientific and technological advancements or operations. The contract is managed by the GSA, suggesting a broad applicability across federal agencies. Workforce implications could include the employment of engineers, scientists, and technical support staff by American Systems Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not rigorously monitored.
Limited competition (two bidders) may have resulted in a higher price than a more robustly competed contract.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the services provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, adhering to principles of fair opportunity.
Long contract duration (5 years) suggests a stable and ongoing need for critical support services.
Contract managed by GSA, a central procurement agency, indicating adherence to established federal acquisition regulations.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a significant component of the federal contracting landscape, supporting a wide array of government functions from defense to scientific research. This contract, falling under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services), represents a portion of the federal government's investment in technical expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific sub-discipline of engineering and the scale of the projects supported. The federal market for engineering services is substantial, with numerous large and small firms competing for contracts across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. Furthermore, the 'ss: false' flag suggests it was not a small business prime award. Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would likely be through subcontracting opportunities, if American Systems Corporation chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals detailed in the award, it's difficult to assess the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service which awarded the contract. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts
Science and Technology Support Contracts
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing structure.
Limited competition may impact price.
Lack of specific performance metrics hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $16.6 million to AMERICAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF--SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-26. End: 2022-09-25.

What specific scientific and technological directorate support services were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORATE SUPPORT' and falls under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services). However, the specific nature of the support is not detailed. This could encompass a wide range of activities, such as research and development support, systems engineering, technical analysis, program management assistance, or specialized scientific consulting. To understand the precise services, one would need to review the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Without this, it's difficult to gauge the complexity or criticality of the support rendered.

How does the $16.6 million award compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by GSA or other agencies?

Comparing the $16.6 million award requires context regarding the duration and scope. Over five years, this averages to approximately $3.32 million annually. To benchmark effectively, we would need to identify comparable contracts for engineering services supporting science and technology directorates, ideally with similar durations and complexity. For instance, if other agencies are awarding similar 5-year contracts for comparable support in the range of $10-20 million, then this award appears within a reasonable range. Conversely, if similar services are consistently procured for significantly less, it might indicate a potential overpayment or less competitive outcome. Accessing detailed contract databases and performing a thorough market analysis would be necessary for a precise comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of American Systems Corporation's performance under this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance metrics for this contract. Typically, contracts of this nature would include a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines measurable objectives and standards. These might include metrics related to project completion timelines, quality of deliverables, technical accuracy, responsiveness to requests, or adherence to budget. Without access to the PWS/SOW or performance reports, assessing the contractor's success and the overall effectiveness of the services is not possible. Government agencies usually have formal processes for evaluating contractor performance, which can impact future awards.

What is the track record of American Systems Corporation in delivering engineering and technical support services to the federal government?

American Systems Corporation has a history of contracting with the federal government. To assess their track record specifically for science and technology directorate support and engineering services, a review of their past performance on similar contracts would be necessary. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any awards or penalties received, and the successful completion of previous projects. Databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) often contain detailed performance information, though access may be restricted. Generally, established contractors like American Systems Corporation often have a portfolio of successful projects, but due diligence requires examining specific relevant experience.

What is the potential risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this $16.6 million award?

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type carries inherent risks for the government, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual costs of materials. This structure can lead to cost overruns if the effort required is greater than initially estimated or if labor hours are not meticulously tracked and justified. For a $16.6 million contract over five years, effective oversight, detailed record-keeping, and robust management controls are crucial to mitigate the risk of uncontrolled cost growth and ensure that taxpayers receive good value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: ID04170020

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14151 PARK MEADOW DR STE 500, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,275,206

Exercised Options: $17,958,593

Current Obligation: $16,638,135

Actual Outlays: $-5,850

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 67

Total Subaward Amount: $10,236,416

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F089CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline