Agriculture awards $19M IT task order to Creative Systems and Consulting for NRM modernization

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,093,499 ($19.1M)

Contractor: Creative Systems and Consulting L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2021-09-10

End Date: 2024-09-09

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NRM MODERNIZATION TASK ORDER - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES (DAITSS)

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $19.1 million to CREATIVE SYSTEMS AND CONSULTING L.L.C. for work described as: NRM MODERNIZATION TASK ORDER - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES (DAITSS) Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in modernizing the Forest Service's Natural Resource Management systems. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a robust market response and potential for competitive pricing. 3. The task order was awarded as a BPA Call, indicating it leverages an existing framework agreement. 4. The duration of the contract is three years, allowing for sustained support and development. 5. The primary service category is Custom Computer Programming Services, crucial for bespoke IT solutions. 6. The contractor, Creative Systems and Consulting, L.L.C., is positioned to deliver specialized IT support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $19.1 million over three years for IT support services appears reasonable given the scope of NRM modernization. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts for federal agencies suggests that pricing for labor hours can vary widely based on skill sets and complexity. Without specific details on the labor mix and rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award provides some assurance of fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that it was a BPA Call suggests that the underlying BPA was also competed. The number of offers received (3) is moderate, which can still lead to competitive pricing, though a higher number of bidders often signals stronger price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation, ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The Forest Service's Natural Resource Management systems will be modernized, improving data management and operational efficiency. Federal employees and contractors supporting NRM will benefit from updated tools and processes. The geographic impact is nationwide, as the Forest Service operates across various regions of the United States. The contract supports IT professionals and potentially other roles involved in system development and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if NRM modernization requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT modernization efforts could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Ensuring the long-term maintainability and scalability of the modernized systems will be crucial.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
The contractor has a three-year period to deliver services, allowing for sustained effort.
The contract leverages an existing BPA framework, potentially streamlining procurement and delivery.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is highly dynamic, with significant government spending on custom computer programming and IT support. This contract falls within the broader category of federal IT modernization efforts, which are a priority across many agencies. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of delivering specialized solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar task orders can vary based on the specific technologies, complexity, and duration of the engagement.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and the data indicates the small business set-aside flag is false (ss: false). Therefore, there is no direct small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Creative Systems and Consulting, L.L.C., may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific requirements, contributing to the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of any subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, including deliverables, milestones, and service level agreements. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Agriculture IT Support Services
Forest Service IT Modernization Programs
Natural Resource Management Systems
Custom Computer Programming Services Contracts
BPA Call Awards

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Contractor performance risk
Dependence on key personnel
Long-term system maintainability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $19.1 million to CREATIVE SYSTEMS AND CONSULTING L.L.C.. NRM MODERNIZATION TASK ORDER - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES (DAITSS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE SYSTEMS AND CONSULTING L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-10. End: 2024-09-09.

What is the track record of Creative Systems and Consulting, L.L.C. with the Department of Agriculture and similar IT modernization projects?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess the track record of Creative Systems and Consulting, L.L.C. with the Department of Agriculture and specifically the Forest Service. Information on past performance, including the successful completion of similar IT modernization task orders or contracts, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. Examining past contract values, durations, and any reported performance issues or awards would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their experience in delivering custom computer programming services for complex government systems. Without specific historical data on this contractor's performance within the USDA or on comparable projects, it is difficult to definitively gauge their suitability beyond the current award.

How does the awarded value of $19.1 million compare to other IT modernization task orders of similar scope and duration within the federal government?

Comparing the $19.1 million value for this three-year IT modernization task order requires access to a broad dataset of federal contracts. Generally, IT modernization projects can range significantly in cost depending on factors such as the complexity of the systems being updated, the technologies involved, the number of users, and the specific services required (e.g., software development, integration, data migration, cybersecurity). A value of approximately $6.37 million per year for custom computer programming services and IT support appears within a reasonable range for specialized federal IT work, especially considering it was awarded under full and open competition. However, a more precise benchmark would necessitate analyzing contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (like 541511) and similar agencies undertaking comparable modernization efforts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure successful NRM modernization?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this NRM modernization task order are typically detailed within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the contract. These metrics are crucial for measuring the contractor's performance and ensuring the successful modernization of the Natural Resource Management systems. Common KPIs in IT modernization contracts include system uptime, response times for issue resolution, successful deployment of new features or modules, data accuracy and integrity, and user satisfaction rates. SLAs would define the acceptable thresholds for these KPIs and outline remedies or penalties if the contractor fails to meet them. Effective oversight by the Forest Service program office is essential to monitor these metrics and ensure the project stays on track.

What is the historical spending trend for IT support services and NRM modernization within the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service?

Analyzing historical spending trends for IT support services and NRM modernization within the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service would provide valuable context for this $19.1 million task order. This would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years to identify patterns in IT investments, the types of services procured, and the average contract values. Understanding past spending on similar modernization efforts, such as previous phases of NRM system upgrades or related IT infrastructure projects, can help assess whether current spending is consistent, increasing, or decreasing. It can also highlight which contractors have been historically awarded significant IT contracts within the agency and the general success rates of those investments. This historical perspective is vital for evaluating the long-term strategy and financial commitment to IT modernization within the Forest Service.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor for a three-year NRM modernization effort?

Relying on a single contractor, Creative Systems and Consulting, L.L.C., for a three-year NRM modernization effort presents several potential risks. One primary risk is vendor lock-in, where the Forest Service becomes heavily dependent on the contractor's specific technologies, methodologies, and personnel, making it difficult or costly to switch providers later. Performance risk is also significant; if the contractor underperforms, experiences key personnel turnover, or faces financial instability, the modernization project could face delays, cost overruns, or even failure. Furthermore, a lack of ongoing competition during the contract period might reduce the incentive for the contractor to maintain optimal performance or proactively innovate. Mitigating these risks often involves robust contract management, clear performance expectations, regular progress reviews, and contingency planning.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8281 GREENSBORO DR, SUITE 200, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,093,499

Exercised Options: $19,093,499

Current Obligation: $19,093,499

Actual Outlays: $19,093,499

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $1,304,992

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12760420A0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline