Noblis Inc. awarded $22M for enterprise infrastructure support, with a significant portion allocated to IT services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,007,546 ($22.0M)

Contractor: Noblis, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2020-09-29

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NOBLIS ENTERPRISE INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64114

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $22.0 million to NOBLIS, INC. for work described as: NOBLIS ENTERPRISE INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scope of enterprise-wide IT infrastructure support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Contract duration and delivery order structure indicate potential for ongoing needs. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. The contract aligns with the agency's need for robust IT infrastructure to support financial operations. 6. Performance context is critical for assessing long-term value and service quality.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22 million over its period of performance is moderate for enterprise-level IT infrastructure support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comprehensive IT services reveals that this pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the broad scope of services required by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The firm fixed-price structure provides a degree of cost certainty, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a single award delivery order suggests that while competition was open, Noblis, Inc. was ultimately selected as the most advantageous offer. The level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment among potential offerors.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, which receives essential IT infrastructure support. Services delivered include a wide range of IT infrastructure solutions crucial for financial management and operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Agriculture's operational footprint, likely supporting various offices and personnel. Workforce implications include the potential for Noblis employees to support the agency's IT needs, ensuring continuity and expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully due to the long-term nature of infrastructure support.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure could pose risks if performance degrades or the vendor faces financial instability.
Scope creep could become an issue if not rigorously managed through change control processes.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market and potential for competitive pricing.
The contractor, Noblis, Inc., has a track record of government contracting, implying familiarity with federal requirements.
The contract supports essential IT infrastructure, which is critical for agency operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on IT infrastructure support services. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous companies offering a wide array of solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks for enterprise IT support services vary significantly based on scope, complexity, and duration, but this $22 million award over approximately six years is a moderate investment for a federal agency's core IT needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to Noblis, Inc., a large business, suggests that the primary focus was on securing comprehensive enterprise-level support. This may limit direct opportunities for small businesses on this specific contract, though they may participate in the broader IT services market.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Agriculture IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Enterprise Architecture
IT Infrastructure Modernization Programs
Cloud Computing Services Contracts
Cybersecurity Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on single vendor for critical infrastructure
Scope creep management
Technological obsolescence risk
Cybersecurity vulnerability management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $22.0 million to NOBLIS, INC.. NOBLIS ENTERPRISE INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NOBLIS, 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 $22.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-29. End: 2026-03-31.

What is Noblis, Inc.'s track record with federal IT infrastructure contracts?

Noblis, Inc. has a substantial track record of performing IT and infrastructure support services for various federal agencies. They have been involved in numerous contracts related to enterprise architecture, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and general IT support. Their experience often includes managing complex systems and ensuring the operational continuity of critical government IT infrastructure. This history suggests a familiarity with federal procurement regulations, reporting requirements, and the specific challenges of supporting government IT environments. Analyzing their past performance on similar-sized contracts can provide insights into their ability to deliver on scope, schedule, and budget.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar enterprise IT support contracts?

The $22 million award for Noblis Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions Support Services is a moderate-sized contract for enterprise IT support. When compared to similar contracts across federal agencies, the value appears reasonable for a six-year period of performance, averaging around $3.67 million per year. Larger, more complex enterprise-wide IT overhauls or consolidations can reach hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. However, for ongoing support, maintenance, and modernization of existing infrastructure, this level of funding is typical. Factors influencing value include the breadth of services (e.g., network, servers, storage, end-user support, cybersecurity), the number of users supported, and the criticality of the systems.

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

Key risks include potential vendor performance issues, technological obsolescence, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure and oversight. The firm fixed-price nature helps control costs, while the full and open competition process aims to select a capable vendor. The contract duration, while providing stability, also necessitates ongoing performance monitoring by the agency. Cybersecurity requirements are typically stringent in federal IT contracts, and Noblis, as an experienced contractor, is expected to adhere to these. Regular performance reviews and clear service level agreements (SLAs) are crucial for managing performance risks.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach for this type of IT infrastructure service?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered highly effective for procuring IT infrastructure services. It maximizes the pool of potential offerors, encouraging a wider range of solutions and potentially leading to more innovative and cost-effective outcomes. For complex IT infrastructure, this approach allows the government to solicit detailed technical proposals and evaluate them rigorously against defined criteria, ensuring the selected vendor has the necessary expertise and capacity. The competition drives down prices and improves the quality of services offered, ultimately benefiting the agency and taxpayers by ensuring the best value is obtained.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT infrastructure support within the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for IT infrastructure support within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) generally show a consistent need for these services, reflecting the agency's large operational footprint and reliance on technology. Spending often fluctuates based on modernization initiatives, system upgrades, and the lifecycle of existing infrastructure. Agencies like USDA typically allocate significant portions of their IT budgets to maintaining and upgrading networks, servers, data centers, and end-user devices. Analyzing past USDA IT spending trends can reveal whether this $22 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment compared to previous periods for similar services.

What is the significance of the 'Delivery Order' award type for this contract?

The 'Delivery Order' award type signifies that this contract is likely a task order or delivery order placed against an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract vehicle. This approach allows the agency to procure services incrementally as needed, rather than awarding a single, large contract upfront. For IT infrastructure support, this provides flexibility to adapt to changing requirements, scale services up or down, and procure specific solutions within the broader framework established by the parent contract. It also implies that the initial competition likely occurred when the parent IDIQ contract was awarded.

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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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: 620 DISCOVERY DRIVE NW, BUILDING 2, SUITE 205, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,307,486

Exercised Options: $22,007,546

Current Obligation: $22,007,546

Actual Outlays: $21,340,144

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0590W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline