SSA's $90.7M Refreshment Equipment Purchase via BPA with NCS Technologies

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $90,688,489 ($90.7M)

Contractor: NCS Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2014-09-29

End Date: 2016-08-26

Contract Duration: 697 days

Daily Burn Rate: $130.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF - OTHER FUNCTION THE AGENCY HAS DETERMINED TO PROCEED WITH A SINGLE DEVICE STRATEGY FOR DEPLOYMENT OF REFRESHMENT EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY. THE SUBJECT PURCHASE IS FOR THE FIRST YEAR'S DEPLOYMENT OF A PLANNED FOUR YEAR ROLLOUT. ITEMS TO BE PURCHASED FROM BPA SS00-14-40017 WITH NCS TECHNOLOGIES.

Place of Performance

Location: GAINESVILLE, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 20155

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $90.7 million to NCS TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF - OTHER FUNCTION THE AGENCY HAS DETERMINED TO PROCEED WITH A SINGLE DEVICE STRATEGY FOR DEPLOYMENT OF REFRESHMENT EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY. THE SUBJECT PURCHASE IS FOR THE FIRST YEAR'S DEPLOYMENT OF A PLANNED FOUR YEAR ROLLOUT. ITEMS TO BE PURCHASED FROM BP… Key points: 1. The agency is implementing a four-year single device strategy for equipment refresh. 2. This purchase represents the first year of a planned multi-year rollout. 3. Procurement is being conducted through BPA SS00-14-40017 with NCS Technologies. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $90.7 million. Without specific per-unit pricing or comparison data for similar refreshment equipment, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the scale suggests a significant investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded via BPA Call against BPA SS00-14-40017. While the BPA itself may have been competitively awarded, the call against it might not involve full and open competition for this specific purchase, potentially limiting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for agency equipment refresh. The impact depends on whether the pricing achieved through the BPA call represents good value compared to other potential procurement methods.

Public Impact

Agency modernization efforts impacting employee productivity and service delivery. Potential for outdated equipment to cause service disruptions or security risks. Significant financial commitment for a multi-year equipment refresh program. Reliance on a single vendor strategy for agency-wide deployment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition for this specific BPA call.
Single device strategy may limit future flexibility.
Potential for vendor lock-in over the four-year rollout.

Positive Signals

Clear multi-year strategy for equipment refresh.
Use of an existing BPA streamlines procurement.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This purchase falls under IT equipment and services, a common area for significant government spending. Benchmarks for similar large-scale IT refresh contracts vary widely based on equipment type and scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the award was made to NCS Technologies Inc. There is no explicit information provided regarding small business participation or subcontracting in this specific award action.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a BPA and BPA Call suggests an existing framework for oversight. However, the specific oversight mechanisms for this multi-year rollout and the single device strategy would need further examination.

Related Government Programs

Computer and Software Stores
Social Security Administration Contracting
Social Security Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential lack of robust competition for this specific BPA call.
Risk of vendor lock-in with a single device strategy.
Concentration of risk with a single vendor over a multi-year period.
Limited transparency on per-unit costs and value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $90.7 million to NCS TECHNOLOGIES INC. IGF::OT::IGF - OTHER FUNCTION THE AGENCY HAS DETERMINED TO PROCEED WITH A SINGLE DEVICE STRATEGY FOR DEPLOYMENT OF REFRESHMENT EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY. THE SUBJECT PURCHASE IS FOR THE FIRST YEAR'S DEPLOYMENT OF A PLANNED FOUR YEAR ROLLOUT. ITEMS TO BE PURCHASED FROM BPA SS00-14-40017 WITH NCS TECHNOLOGIES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NCS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $90.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-29. End: 2016-08-26.

What was the original competition strategy for BPA SS00-14-40017, and how does the current BPA Call align with it?

The provided data indicates the award was made via a BPA Call against BPA SS00-14-40017. While the original BPA likely underwent a competitive process, the specifics of that competition and whether this call allows for further competition or is a directed buy are not detailed. Understanding the original BPA's structure is crucial to assessing the current procurement's competitive nature and potential value.

What are the specific risks associated with a single device strategy for agency-wide equipment refresh over four years?

A single device strategy can lead to vendor lock-in, limiting the agency's ability to leverage new technologies or better pricing from competitors in the future. It also concentrates risk with one vendor; if NCS Technologies faces production issues or financial instability, the entire agency's refresh plan could be jeopardized. Furthermore, a standardized device might not optimally meet the diverse needs of all agency roles.

How does the $90.7 million expenditure compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT equipment refresh programs?

Direct comparison is challenging without detailed specifications of the 'refreshment equipment.' However, for large-scale IT procurements, cost-effectiveness is often measured by total cost of ownership, including maintenance and support over the device lifecycle. The agency should have internal benchmarks or market research data to validate if this $90.7 million for a year's deployment represents a competitive price point for the specified hardware and services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Electronics and Appliance Stores › Computer and Software Stores

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7669 LIMESTONE DR, GAINESVILLE, VA, 20155

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $181,611,908

Exercised Options: $90,688,489

Current Obligation: $90,688,489

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SS001440017

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline