DoD's $9.4M IT Help Desk Contract Awarded to GovCIO, LLC Under Sole-Source Basis

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,386,342 ($9.4M)

Contractor: Govcio, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-02-05

End Date: 2026-02-04

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NBIS TIER 2 HELP DESK SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: QUANTICO, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22134

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $9.4 million to GOVCIO, LLC for work described as: NBIS TIER 2 HELP DESK SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive opportunities and potentially impacting price. 2. The contract value of $9.4M over two years suggests a significant investment in IT support services. 3. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of potential IT support functions. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the sole-source nature warrants scrutiny of pricing. 5. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is the primary recipient of these services. 6. Contract duration of 730 days (2 years) provides a stable period for service delivery. 7. No small business set-aside was utilized, raising questions about opportunities for smaller IT firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $9.4M for two years of IT help desk support appears substantial. Without comparable contract data for similar services from DCSA or other agencies, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control, but the sole-source award mechanism raises concerns about whether the government secured the most competitive pricing possible. Further analysis of the contractor's proposed pricing against industry standards for IT help desk services would be necessary for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, GovCIO, LLC, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent needs), they inherently limit price discovery and may not result in the best value for the government compared to a fully competed contract. The absence of competition means there was no direct comparison of offers to drive down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings typically achieved through competitive bidding. This can lead to higher overall spending for the same level of service.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are personnel within the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) who rely on IT help desk support. The services delivered include technical assistance, troubleshooting, and support for IT systems and user issues. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contract is managed and likely where services are delivered. Workforce implications include the potential employment of IT support specialists by GovCIO, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the justification for a sole-source award.
No small business participation noted, potentially excluding smaller, innovative firms.
The broad NAICS code 'Other Computer Related Services' could mask a wide range of service costs.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration of two years offers stability in IT support services.
Award to a known entity (GovCIO, LLC) may imply prior positive performance, though not explicitly stated.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering help desk and related support. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services across various agencies. Contracts for IT support often fall under broad categories like 'IT Professional Services' or specific NAICS codes such as 'Other Computer Related Services' (541519). Benchmarking this contract's value would typically involve comparing its per-user cost or overall value against similar IT help desk contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense or other large federal entities, considering factors like service level agreements and scope of support.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to include a small business set-aside. The award to GovCIO, LLC, a presumably larger entity, suggests that opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract are limited. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans, which could potentially involve small businesses. The absence of a small business set-aside means that the direct economic benefit to the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the contracting officer and program managers within the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the performance metrics would be key indicators of effective oversight. The Inspector General for the Department of Defense would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

DoD IT Support Services
Federal IT Help Desk Contracts
Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency IT Procurement
Sole-Source IT Contracts
Computer Related Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential overpricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or SLAs in summary data.
No indication of small business participation or subcontracting opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $9.4 million to GOVCIO, LLC. NBIS TIER 2 HELP DESK SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOVCIO, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-05. End: 2026-02-04.

What is the specific justification provided by the Department of Defense for awarding this IT help desk contract on a sole-source basis to GovCIO, LLC?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, urgent and compelling circumstances, or a lack of adequate competition. Without the official justification document, it's impossible to ascertain the precise rationale. However, the 'NOT COMPETED' status indicates that a full and open competition was not conducted. Agencies are required to document and justify sole-source awards, often making this information publicly available through sources like SAM.gov or agency procurement data systems.

How does the per-user cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for IT help desk support services?

The provided data does not include the number of users or a breakdown of costs that would allow for a per-user cost calculation. The total contract value is $9,386,342.22 over 730 days. To establish a per-user cost, we would need to know the number of users supported and potentially the service level agreements (SLAs) in place. Industry benchmarks for IT help desk support can vary widely based on the complexity of the environment, the types of support offered (e.g., Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3), and geographic location. Without these details, a meaningful comparison to industry benchmarks is not feasible.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure effective service delivery?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These details are typically outlined in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS). Effective IT help desk support relies on measurable metrics such as average response time, average resolution time, first-call resolution rate, customer satisfaction scores, and system uptime. The absence of this information in the summary data makes it difficult to assess the expected quality and efficiency of the services GovCIO, LLC is contracted to provide.

What is GovCIO, LLC's track record with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies for similar IT support services?

The provided data indicates that GovCIO, LLC is the contractor for this specific $9.4M IT help desk support contract with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). However, it does not offer details on their broader track record with the DoD or other federal agencies. To assess their performance history, one would need to examine past contracts, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract awards, modifications, or disputes. A comprehensive review would reveal their experience in delivering similar IT services, their past performance ratings, and their overall reliability as a federal contractor.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT help desk support services by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)?

The provided data focuses solely on the current contract award of $9,386,342.22 to GovCIO, LLC. It does not offer any historical spending data for IT help desk support services by the DCSA. To analyze historical spending patterns, one would need access to DCSA's procurement history over several fiscal years, identifying all contracts related to IT help desk and related support services. This would involve looking at contract values, durations, award types (competed vs. sole-source), and contractors. Such an analysis would reveal trends in spending, identify key vendors, and highlight any shifts in procurement strategies over time.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HS002124R0003

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4000 LEGATO RD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,811,000

Exercised Options: $9,386,342

Current Obligation: $9,386,342

Actual Outlays: $885,595

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $281,848

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline