DoD's $28.5M custom programming contract with BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,518,045 ($28.5M)

Contractor: Base Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-09-29

End Date: 2013-10-27

Contract Duration: 1,124 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BASE PERIOD - DTRS

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.5 million to BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: BASE PERIOD - DTRS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for custom computer programming services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Contract duration of over three years indicates a significant project scope. 5. Services provided are essential for defense IT infrastructure. 6. Small business participation was not a stated requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's base period value of approximately $28.5 million for custom computer programming services is within a reasonable range for a Department of Defense contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar custom programming contracts awarded by the DoD, this price point appears competitive, especially considering the firm-fixed-price structure which shifts risk to the contractor. The specific services rendered would further inform a precise value assessment, but initial indicators suggest fair pricing for the scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, full and open competition generally ensures a broader pool of potential contractors and a more transparent pricing process compared to limited or sole-source awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible offer through a competitive process, likely leading to a more cost-effective outcome than a non-competitive award.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced custom computer programming capabilities. Services delivered support critical IT infrastructure and operations within the defense sector. The geographic impact is primarily within the defense agencies utilizing these services, likely concentrated in areas with significant DoD presence. Workforce implications include the employment of skilled software developers and IT professionals by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
Limited detail on the specific custom programming tasks limits risk assessment.
No indication of small business subcontracting goals.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type reduces financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for good value.
Contract awarded to a single entity, BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, allowing for focused execution.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The IT services market for the federal government is substantial, with significant spending allocated to software development, maintenance, and integration. This contract represents a portion of the DoD's investment in maintaining and enhancing its complex IT systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for custom programming services vary widely based on complexity and duration, but the $28.5 million base period suggests a significant, multi-year engagement.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have been set aside for small businesses, nor is there an indication of specific small business subcontracting requirements in the provided data. The award to BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, without explicit small business considerations, suggests that larger businesses were either the primary focus or the most competitive bidders. This could limit opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract's execution, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), ensuring compliance with contract terms and performance standards. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, oversight might be integrated into broader program management structures within the Department of Defense. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reporting may be less publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Technology Contracting Office (DITCO) contracts
General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule contracts
Department of Defense Enterprise Software contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Limited information on specific services rendered.
Contractor performance history not readily available in summary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.5 million to BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. BASE PERIOD - DTRS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-29. End: 2013-10-27.

What specific custom computer programming services were delivered under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS code 541511) awarded to BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC by the Department of Defense. However, the specific nature of these services—such as the type of software developed, the programming languages used, or the intended application—is not detailed in the summary data. These services likely involved the design, development, modification, and testing of software to meet unique DoD requirements, potentially for command and control systems, logistics, intelligence, or other critical defense functions. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work would be necessary to ascertain the precise technical details and functionalities provided.

How does the $28.5 million base period cost compare to similar DoD custom programming contracts?

Benchmarking the $28.5 million base period cost requires comparing it to similar custom computer programming contracts awarded by the Department of Defense over comparable timeframes. While specific comparable contract data is not provided here, this figure represents a substantial investment. For custom programming, costs are highly dependent on the complexity, duration, and criticality of the software. Contracts for large-scale enterprise systems or specialized defense applications can easily reach tens of millions of dollars. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor assumed significant cost risk, which is often factored into the pricing. Without detailed scope and performance metrics, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the amount is not inherently excessive for a multi-year DoD IT project.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

Primary risks for a custom programming contract include scope creep, schedule delays, cost overruns (though mitigated by FFP), and performance deficiencies. Given the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type, the risk of cost overruns is largely transferred to the contractor, BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. Mitigation for schedule and performance risks would rely on robust project management by the contractor and diligent oversight by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The full and open competition, with two bidders, suggests a degree of market vetting. However, the lack of detailed performance data in the summary makes it difficult to assess specific risks related to the contractor's track record or the technical complexity of the programming tasks.

What is the historical spending pattern for custom computer programming services within the DoD?

The Department of Defense is a major consumer of custom computer programming services, reflecting its vast and complex technological needs. Historical spending patterns show consistent, significant investment in this area, driven by the continuous evolution of military technology, cybersecurity requirements, and the need for integrated information systems. Spending fluctuates based on major defense initiatives, modernization programs, and operational demands. The DoD frequently utilizes various contract vehicles, including IT schedules and specific large-scale IT procurements, to acquire these services. While the $28.5 million base period for this specific contract is a notable amount, it represents a fraction of the DoD's overall annual IT spending, which often runs into the tens of billions of dollars.

What is the track record of BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of BASE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC in performing similar government contracts is not detailed in the provided summary data. To assess their performance history, one would need to examine past contract awards, performance evaluations (such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A positive track record with successful delivery of custom programming services on time and within budget for previous government clients would indicate lower risk. Conversely, a history of performance issues would raise concerns about the reliability and effectiveness of the contractor for this current engagement.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CA, Inc. (UEI: 080399256)

Address: 1749 OLD MEADOW RD 500, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,454,520

Exercised Options: $28,862,058

Current Obligation: $28,518,045

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $41,052,051

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W74V8H04D0020

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline