DoD's $16.5M TIS Support Contract Awarded to Future Research Corp. for Custom Computer Programming

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,512,700 ($16.5M)

Contractor: Future Research Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-09-26

End Date: 2011-09-25

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: U434ISE - TIS SUPPORT - OY2 - T&M: LABOR

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22153

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.5 million to FUTURE RESEARCH CORP for work described as: U434ISE - TIS SUPPORT - OY2 - T&M: LABOR Key points: 1. Contract value of $16.5M over one year suggests a significant investment in IT support services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure may pose cost control risks if not closely managed. 4. Future Research Corp. has secured this contract, highlighting their role in providing specialized IT services to the Department of the Army. 5. The contract falls under the Custom Computer Programming Services NAICS code, pointing to a focus on software development and related IT solutions. 6. The award date in 2010 suggests this is a historical contract, useful for benchmarking past IT spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $16.5 million for a one-year duration for TIS support is substantial. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts would be necessary to fully assess value for money. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored and controlled, potentially impacting the overall value proposition compared to fixed-price contracts. Without specific performance metrics or comparison data, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was open, specific sources might have been excluded for particular reasons. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of competition. However, the 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand if it limited the competitive landscape and potentially impacted price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to bid, which can drive down prices. However, the specific exclusions could have limited the number of competitive offers, potentially leading to a higher-than-optimal price.

Public Impact

The Department of the Army benefits from specialized IT support services to maintain its technological infrastructure. The contract delivers custom computer programming services, likely crucial for the Army's operational efficiency and data management. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational areas, supporting military functions. Workforce implications include employment for IT professionals and programmers employed by Future Research Corp. and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition clause may have limited the number of potential bidders.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality.
The contract's age (awarded in 2010) means current market rates and technologies may differ significantly.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a structured procurement process.
Multiple bidders (3) participated, indicating some level of market interest and competition.
The contract addresses a specific need for custom computer programming services within the DoD.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511). This sub-sector is characterized by high demand for specialized software development, system integration, and IT consulting. The market size for such services within the federal government is substantial, with agencies like the Department of Defense being major consumers. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DoD contracts for similar IT support and custom development work, considering factors like contract duration, scope, and pricing models.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary focus for this specific contract, as it was not set aside for small businesses. This suggests that larger, established firms were likely the primary competitors. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data snippet. The impact on the small business ecosystem would be minimal if no subcontracting opportunities were mandated or pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense IT Services
Custom Software Development Contracts
Federal IT Support Services
Army IT Procurement
Time and Materials IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential Limited Competition
Historical Contract Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.5 million to FUTURE RESEARCH CORP. U434ISE - TIS SUPPORT - OY2 - T&M: LABOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FUTURE RESEARCH CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-26. End: 2011-09-25.

What was the specific nature of the 'TIS Support' provided under this contract?

The abbreviation 'TIS' likely stands for 'Technical Information Services' or a similar IT-related support function within the Department of the Army. Given the NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services), the support probably involved the development, maintenance, or enhancement of specialized software applications, databases, or IT systems critical to the Army's operations. This could range from developing new military software to providing ongoing technical assistance for existing complex systems, ensuring their functionality and security.

How does the $16.5 million contract value compare to other similar custom computer programming services contracts awarded by the DoD around 2010?

In 2010, a $16.5 million contract for custom computer programming services awarded by the Department of Defense would have been considered a significant award, reflecting the substantial IT needs of military branches. For context, IT services contracts for the DoD often range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. Contracts for custom programming, especially those involving specialized military applications, tend to command higher values due to the unique requirements and security protocols involved. Benchmarking this against other similar contracts from that era would require accessing historical procurement data and filtering for NAICS code 541511 and agencies within the DoD, looking at contract duration and specific deliverables to ensure a fair comparison.

What are the inherent risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for custom computer programming?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials used. The primary risk for the government is that costs can escalate beyond initial estimates if the project scope expands, if labor hours are not efficiently utilized, or if material costs increase. For custom computer programming, this means that the final cost is not definitively known at the outset, requiring robust oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, and clear definitions of 'materials' to prevent contractor inefficiencies from driving up the price. This necessitates strong project management from the government side to ensure value for money.

What does 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' imply for the bidding process and potential cost savings?

The term 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates that the solicitation was publicly advertised, allowing any responsible source to submit an offer. However, it also implies that certain specific sources were intentionally excluded from consideration, possibly due to security concerns, past performance issues, or specific technical requirements that only a limited set of vendors could meet. While aiming for broad competition, the exclusion of sources could potentially limit the number of bidders, thereby reducing the competitive pressure on pricing. The extent to which this impacted cost savings depends on the number and capability of the remaining bidders. If highly capable vendors were excluded, the government might have paid a higher price than if all potential sources had been allowed to compete.

What is the typical track record or reputation of 'Future Research Corp.' in securing federal IT contracts?

Without specific historical data on 'Future Research Corp.' beyond this single contract award, it's difficult to establish a comprehensive track record. However, securing a $16.5 million contract from the Department of the Army suggests the company possessed the necessary qualifications, past performance, and technical capabilities to meet the government's stringent requirements at the time of award. Federal contractors often undergo rigorous vetting processes. To assess their broader track record, one would typically look at the number and value of other federal contracts they've held, their performance ratings on those contracts, and any history of contract disputes or awards.

How has spending on Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511) by the Department of Defense evolved since this contract was awarded in 2010?

Spending on Custom Computer Programming Services (NAICS 541511) by the Department of Defense (DoD) has likely seen significant evolution since 2010. Post-2010, the DoD has increasingly focused on modernizing its IT infrastructure, adopting cloud computing, cybersecurity enhancements, and agile development methodologies. This has led to shifts in how programming services are procured, with a greater emphasis on specialized skills in areas like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and secure software development. While the overall dollar volume for such services may have increased due to growing technological demands and cyber threats, the nature of the services procured and the contracting vehicles used have likely adapted to incorporate newer technologies and more flexible acquisition strategies, potentially moving towards more outcome-based or performance-based contracts.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912HZ08R0010

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 675 DISCOVERY DR BLDG 2 STE 102, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 05

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,512,700

Exercised Options: $16,512,700

Current Obligation: $16,512,700

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912HZ08D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline