AXIENT LLC awarded $29.5M for Engineering Services by GSA, with 5 bidders in a competitive process
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $29,511,744 ($29.5M)
Contractor: Axient LLC
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2017-09-09
End Date: 2021-05-13
Contract Duration: 1,342 days
Daily Burn Rate: $22.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF
Place of Performance
Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35898
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $29.5 million to AXIENT LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF Key points: 1. Contract value of $29.5M over approximately 3.7 years suggests a moderate investment in engineering services. 2. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates a competitive process, though with specific source exclusions. 3. A fixed-price contract type generally transfers risk to the contractor, potentially leading to cost efficiencies. 4. The award to AXIENT LLC, a single entity, highlights the concentration of specialized service providers in this market. 5. Performance in Alabama (AL) suggests a focus on regional engineering needs within the federal acquisition service. 6. The contract duration of 1342 days (approx. 3.7 years) allows for sustained project execution and potential for performance evaluation.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $29.5M for engineering services over nearly four years appears reasonable given the scope of federal engineering needs. Benchmarking against similar GSA contracts for engineering services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, as it incentivizes the contractor to manage expenses effectively. Without specific details on the services rendered, a direct comparison of unit costs is challenging, but the overall award size seems aligned with typical federal engineering procurements.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was open, certain sources were excluded from bidding. This suggests a potentially narrowed pool of qualified bidders compared to a completely open competition. With 5 bidders, there was a reasonable level of competition, which should have contributed to price discovery and a competitive award. However, the exclusion of sources might have limited the ultimate breadth of competition and potentially impacted the final price.
Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition, while not fully open, likely resulted in a fair market price for taxpayers. The exclusion of specific sources warrants further investigation to ensure no taxpayer funds were unnecessarily expended due to a restricted bidding process.
Public Impact
Federal agencies requiring specialized engineering expertise benefit from the services procured through this contract. The contract supports the operational needs of the General Services Administration (GSA) and potentially other federal entities. Engineering services delivered under this contract likely contribute to infrastructure projects, system design, or technical consulting for the government. The geographic impact is centered in Alabama (AL), suggesting support for federal activities or projects within that state. The contract supports the workforce of AXIENT LLC and potentially its subcontractors, contributing to employment in the engineering sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The exclusion of sources in the competition process could limit overall price competitiveness.
- Lack of detailed service descriptions makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity of the engineering services.
- The fixed-price nature, while beneficial for cost control, could lead to scope creep issues if not managed tightly.
Positive Signals
- The firm fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor.
- A competitive bidding process with 5 bidders suggests a degree of market validation for the awarded price.
- The contract is managed by the General Services Administration, an agency with significant procurement expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), a critical component of the professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often involves long-term engagements for complex projects. Federal spending in engineering services is substantial, supporting everything from infrastructure development to defense systems and IT infrastructure design. The market includes a mix of large, established firms and smaller, specialized consultancies. This award to AXIENT LLC represents a portion of the government's overall investment in leveraging external engineering capabilities.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, AXIENT LLC, is not a small business for the purpose of this award. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this contract may be limited unless AXIENT LLC voluntarily includes them in its subcontracting efforts. Further review of subcontracting reports would be necessary to determine the actual impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
The General Services Administration (GSA) typically employs robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including performance monitoring and financial accountability. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight would likely be managed through GSA's Federal Acquisition Service. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would fall under the GSA OIG, which investigates fraud, waste, and abuse in GSA programs and contracts.
Related Government Programs
- GSA Federal Supply Schedule Contracts
- Engineering and Technical Services
- Professional Services Contracts
- Defense Engineering Services
- Infrastructure Engineering Support
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Risk of scope creep in fixed-price contracts.
- Dependence on contractor performance for service delivery.
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting requirements.
Tags
engineering-services, general-services-administration, axient-llc, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, professional-services, alabama, technical-services, federal-acquisition-service
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $29.5 million to AXIENT LLC. IGF::CL::IGF
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AXIENT LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $29.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-09-09. End: 2021-05-13.
What is the track record of AXIENT LLC in performing similar federal engineering contracts?
AXIENT LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the engineering and technical services domain. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense or other civilian agencies would provide insight into their reliability, quality of work, and ability to meet deadlines and budgets. Specific metrics such as past performance ratings, any contract disputes, or awards for exceptional performance would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. Without access to detailed performance data beyond this single award, it's difficult to definitively assess their track record, but their presence in the federal contracting space suggests they have met certain qualification thresholds.
How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar engineering services?
To benchmark the awarded price of $29.5M against market rates, one would need to compare it with similar engineering services contracts awarded by the government or in the commercial sector. Key factors for comparison include the specific type of engineering services (e.g., civil, mechanical, electrical, software), the level of expertise required, the duration of the contract, and the geographic location. The fact that this was a competed contract with 5 bidders suggests that the price achieved is likely competitive within the federal market. However, a detailed analysis would require access to GSA's contract pricing data or industry reports on engineering service rates to determine if AXIENT LLC's pricing was at, above, or below market.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?
The primary risks for the government in this contract include potential cost overruns if the fixed-price contract is not managed effectively against scope changes, contractor underperformance leading to delays or subpar quality of engineering services, and potential reliance on a single contractor for critical engineering functions. Given the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition, there's also a risk that the government did not achieve the absolute best possible price or solution due to a limited bidder pool. Ensuring robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and contingency planning are key to mitigating these risks.
How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?
The competition level, described as 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' with 5 bidders, offers a moderate level of assurance for taxpayer value. Five bidders generally indicate sufficient market interest to drive competitive pricing. However, the 'exclusion of sources' introduces a caveat; if significant, highly capable firms were excluded without clear justification, the resulting price might not be as low as it could have been in a truly open competition. The firm fixed-price nature further supports value by incentivizing contractor efficiency. Continuous monitoring of performance and cost against deliverables is essential to confirm ongoing value realization.
What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services by the General Services Administration?
The General Services Administration (GSA) is a significant procurer of engineering and technical services, often through its Federal Supply Schedules and other contract vehicles. Historical spending patterns reveal a consistent demand for these services across various GSA programs, supporting infrastructure management, facility modernization, and IT system development. GSA's spending in this area typically fluctuates based on federal infrastructure initiatives, agency modernization efforts, and overall budget allocations. Analyzing GSA's historical obligations for NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) would show trends, identify peak spending periods, and highlight key contract vehicles or awardees that have historically received substantial funding.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: ID04170194
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 360A QUALITY CIRCLE, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,820,808
Exercised Options: $29,511,744
Current Obligation: $29,511,744
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 34
Total Subaward Amount: $64,756,866
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS329
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-09-09
Current End Date: 2021-05-13
Potential End Date: 2021-05-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-10-17
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