Oracle WebCenter Support Services Contract Awarded to Malik Consulting for Over $314K

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $314,137 ($314.1K)

Contractor: Malik Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2020-09-29

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $172/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ORACLE WEBCENTER TIER 4 SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30361

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $314,136.8 to MALIK CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: ORACLE WEBCENTER TIER 4 SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 2. The contract duration of 1827 days suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. 3. Services are categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services,' indicating a broad scope. 4. The firm fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but the lack of competition limits price discovery. 5. Awarded by the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the sole-source nature and lack of publicly available comparable contract data for Oracle WebCenter Tier 4 support. The fixed price of $314,136.80 over approximately five years suggests an annual cost of roughly $62,827. Without competitive bids or data on similar support contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. However, the absence of competition could lead to higher-than-market prices.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded on a sole-source basis. This indicates that the agency likely identified a single source believed to be capable of meeting the requirement, potentially due to specialized knowledge or existing infrastructure related to Oracle WebCenter Tier 4 support. The lack of competition means that potential bidders were not solicited, and the agency did not benefit from a range of proposals to drive down costs or foster innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential IT support services due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. Sole-source awards can sometimes result in higher costs compared to those secured through open competition.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of Agriculture, particularly the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, will benefit from uninterrupted access to critical Oracle WebCenter functionalities. The contract ensures the continued availability and performance of the Oracle WebCenter platform, which likely supports essential financial operations and data management. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Agriculture's operational locations, wherever Oracle WebCenter is deployed. The contract supports specialized IT roles, potentially requiring skilled technicians for Tier 4 support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Sole-source award limits transparency in the procurement process.
Potential for vendor lock-in if alternative solutions are not explored.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Long-term contract (1827 days) ensures continuity of essential IT support.
Award to a specific entity suggests a deliberate choice based on perceived capability.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly specialized software support, is characterized by a high degree of technical expertise and vendor-specific knowledge. Oracle WebCenter is a complex enterprise content management system, and Tier 4 support signifies the highest level of technical assistance, often involving direct vendor or highly specialized third-party intervention. The market for such niche support can be limited, sometimes leading to sole-source or limited competition procurements. Comparable spending benchmarks for enterprise software support vary widely based on the software's criticality, vendor, and support level.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The award to Malik Consulting, Inc. (a small business itself, based on typical naming conventions) does not automatically imply broader benefits to the small business ecosystem unless further subcontracting opportunities are mandated or voluntarily pursued by the prime contractor. The absence of a set-aside suggests that the procurement was not specifically targeted to foster small business participation beyond the prime awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected in the procurement or execution of the contract.

Related Government Programs

Oracle Software Maintenance
IT Infrastructure Support Services
Enterprise Content Management Support
Cloud Services Support
IT Professional Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
Long-term reliance on a single vendor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $314,136.8 to MALIK CONSULTING, INC.. ORACLE WEBCENTER TIER 4 SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MALIK CONSULTING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $314,136.8.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-29. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the Oracle WebCenter Tier 4 support being provided?

Tier 4 support typically represents the highest level of technical assistance for complex software systems like Oracle WebCenter. This usually involves resolving the most challenging technical issues, often requiring deep system knowledge, direct access to vendor resources, or specialized engineering expertise. For Oracle WebCenter, this could encompass intricate problems related to content management workflows, integration failures, performance bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, or core system malfunctions that cannot be resolved by lower tiers of support. The contract likely details the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and specific responsibilities Malik Consulting, Inc. must fulfill to maintain the operational integrity and performance of the WebCenter environment for the Department of Agriculture.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. For specialized IT support like Oracle WebCenter Tier 4 services, this could be due to unique expertise possessed by Malik Consulting, Inc., existing familiarity with the agency's specific implementation, or proprietary knowledge required to maintain the system. Agencies must document the justification for a sole-source award, often citing factors such as urgency, unique capabilities, or the unavailability of other qualified contractors. Without this documentation, the lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government obtained the best value.

How does the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type impact the risk and cost for the Department of Agriculture?

A Firm Fixed-Price (FFP) contract shifts most of the cost risk to the contractor, Malik Consulting, Inc. The Department of Agriculture agrees to pay a set price for the defined scope of work, regardless of the contractor's actual costs incurred. This provides budget certainty for the agency, as the total expenditure is known upfront. For the contractor, it incentivizes efficiency and cost control. However, if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if unforeseen complexities arise, the contractor might incur losses, potentially impacting service quality or leading to requests for contract modifications. The FFP structure is generally preferred when the scope is well-understood and risks are manageable.

What is the historical spending pattern for Oracle WebCenter support services within the Department of Agriculture?

The provided data only details this specific contract awarded on September 29, 2020, with an end date of September 30, 2025, valued at $314,136.80. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze previous contracts for Oracle WebCenter support services awarded by the Department of Agriculture or other agencies. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for similar services, identifying the contractors, contract values, durations, and procurement methods used over several fiscal years. Without this broader context, it's impossible to determine if this current contract represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of spending for such services.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for critical IT support?

Relying on a single contractor for critical IT support, as is the case with this sole-source award, presents several risks. Firstly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes heavily dependent on the contractor's specific expertise and proprietary knowledge, making it difficult and costly to switch providers in the future. Secondly, the lack of competition can lead to complacency on the part of the contractor, potentially resulting in diminished service quality or innovation over time. Thirdly, if the contractor experiences financial difficulties, operational issues, or undergoes significant changes (e.g., acquisition), it could disrupt the continuity of essential IT services. Finally, as noted, the absence of competitive bidding may mean the agency is paying a premium for these services.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12314420Q0096

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1175 PEACHTREE ST NE STE 1000, ATLANTA, GA, 30361

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $314,137

Exercised Options: $314,137

Current Obligation: $314,137

Actual Outlays: $314,137

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline