Agriculture awards $4.76M IT contract for computer systems design to AttainX Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,759,271 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Attainx Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-09-26

End Date: 2027-02-25

Contract Duration: 1,248 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: COMMON IT SOLUTIONS SOFTWARE DELIVERY (HICKORY 2)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20250

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $4.8 million to ATTAINX INC. for work described as: COMMON IT SOLUTIONS SOFTWARE DELIVERY (HICKORY 2) Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a broad initial search. 3. The contract duration of 1248 days provides a long-term engagement for IT services. 4. The contract is for computer systems design services, a critical function for financial operations. 5. The awardee, AttainX Inc., is a new entity in federal contracting based on this award. 6. The contract value is relatively modest for a multi-year IT services engagement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.76 million over approximately four years for computer systems design services appears to be within a reasonable range for this type of engagement. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT systems design services at the Department of Agriculture would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the ultimate value depends on the successful delivery of required IT solutions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was initially broad, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the final award decision. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests an effort to solicit from a wide range of qualified vendors. This approach generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure competitive pricing and identify the most capable contractor, potentially leading to cost savings and better service delivery.

Public Impact

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Agriculture will benefit from enhanced computer systems design services. The contract supports the modernization and efficiency of financial IT systems within the agency. The primary impact is on the internal operations and technological capabilities of the USDA. Workforce implications are likely to involve IT professionals and contractors supporting the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of historical performance data for the awardee, AttainX Inc., raises questions about their track record in delivering complex IT solutions.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on competition.
The specific scope of 'Computer Systems Design Services' is broad and could encompass a wide range of activities, making it difficult to assess value without more detail.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to better pricing and selection of qualified vendors.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration of over three years allows for sustained support and development of IT systems.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design services. The federal IT services market is vast, with agencies consistently investing in modernizing their systems to improve efficiency and security. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT systems design can vary significantly based on complexity, duration, and specific technologies involved. The Department of Agriculture, like many large federal agencies, relies heavily on IT to manage its diverse operations, from financial management to agricultural programs.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless AttainX Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of performance metrics and deliverables. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Systems Design
Software Development
Financial Systems Modernization
Department of Agriculture IT Contracts

Risk Flags

New Contractor Performance Risk
Scope Definition Ambiguity
Competition Rationale Unclear

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $4.8 million to ATTAINX INC.. COMMON IT SOLUTIONS SOFTWARE DELIVERY (HICKORY 2)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ATTAINX 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 $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-26. End: 2027-02-25.

What is the specific scope of work for these computer systems design services?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Computer Systems Design Services' (NAICS code 541512) awarded to AttainX Inc. by the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer. However, the specific scope of work, including the types of systems to be designed, the technologies to be used, and the expected deliverables, is not detailed in the summary data. This level of detail is typically found in the contract's statement of work (SOW). Understanding the precise requirements is crucial for assessing the contract's value, the contractor's capabilities, and the overall risk. For instance, designing a new financial management system would be significantly different in scope and complexity compared to optimizing existing IT infrastructure.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar IT systems design contracts within the federal government?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $4.76 million contract against similar IT systems design services is challenging without more granular data. Federal IT contracts vary widely in cost due to differences in scope, duration, labor categories, geographic locations, and the specific technologies involved. The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' suggests an attempt to achieve competitive pricing. However, a true comparison would require analyzing the average hourly rates for key personnel, the total estimated labor hours, and the overhead/profit margins for contracts with similar NAICS codes (541512) and agencies over the past few years. The firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the underlying rates and efficiency of service delivery determine the ultimate value.

What is AttainX Inc.'s track record and experience with federal IT contracts?

Based on the provided data, AttainX Inc. appears to be a relatively new entrant or has limited publicly documented federal contracting history, as this award is a significant data point. The contract award itself is a positive signal of their ability to navigate the federal procurement process and meet initial requirements. However, a lack of extensive past performance information makes it difficult to assess their proven ability to successfully deliver complex IT systems design services on time and within budget for the government. Further due diligence would typically involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) if available, or seeking references from previous clients.

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

Potential risks include the contractor's potential lack of extensive past performance in delivering complex IT systems design, the ambiguity of the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition, and the inherent risks in any long-term IT project. Mitigation strategies often involve robust contract oversight, clearly defined milestones and deliverables, performance-based payment schedules, and regular communication between the government and the contractor. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. The Department of Agriculture's contracting officer and program managers are responsible for monitoring performance and addressing any issues that arise throughout the contract's lifecycle.

How does this contract fit into the Department of Agriculture's broader IT modernization strategy?

This contract for computer systems design services likely supports the Department of Agriculture's ongoing efforts to modernize its IT infrastructure and financial systems. Agencies like the USDA face constant pressure to update legacy systems, improve data security, enhance user experience, and ensure compliance with federal mandates. Contracts for systems design are foundational, enabling the development of new applications or the significant overhaul of existing ones. Understanding how this specific project aligns with the agency's strategic IT roadmap, its digital transformation goals, and its budget priorities would provide further context on its importance and expected impact.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 12314423Q0047

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13873 PARK CENTER RD STE 55N, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,215,197

Exercised Options: $4,759,271

Current Obligation: $4,759,271

Actual Outlays: $3,031,216

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCB21D0128

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline