Commerce awards $20.3M for data storage services to Data Storage Science, LLC, with 5 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,323,175 ($20.3M)

Contractor: Data Storage Science, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-05-14

End Date: 2025-12-15

Contract Duration: 1,676 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FY21 O&M SAES SERVICES GSA70 F/POP: 5/15/2021 - 11/14/2021 OIEO REQ 2924

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $20.3 million to DATA STORAGE SCIENCE, LLC for work described as: FY21 O&M SAES SERVICES GSA70 F/POP: 5/15/2021 - 11/14/2021 OIEO REQ 2924 Key points: 1. Contract value of $20.3M for data storage services represents a significant investment in IT infrastructure. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. A duration of 1676 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract is a delivery order under a larger GSA schedule, implying a streamlined procurement. 5. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 6. The geographic location in Virginia may indicate a concentration of federal data centers or IT operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.3M for data storage services appears reasonable given the 1676-day duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data storage and management services would provide a more precise assessment of value. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor has adequately estimated costs and risks. Without specific per-unit cost data or detailed service level agreements, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive nature of the award is a positive indicator.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. Five bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with five bidders is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down costs through competitive pricing and encouraged innovative solutions from the participating companies.

Public Impact

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) benefits from enhanced data storage capabilities, crucial for managing intellectual property records. Services delivered include computer systems design and data storage solutions, supporting the USPTO's mission. The primary geographic impact is within Virginia, where the services are likely performed or managed. The contract supports the federal IT workforce, potentially involving specialized roles in data management and cybersecurity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the chosen solution is proprietary and difficult to migrate away from.
Ensuring data integrity and security over the long contract duration requires robust oversight.
Scalability of the solution to meet future data growth needs of the USPTO.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for cost savings and quality service.
Firm fixed-price contract shifts risk to the contractor, providing budget certainty.
Long contract duration allows for stable service delivery and potential for economies of scale.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on data storage and computer systems design services. The federal IT market is vast, with significant spending on data management, cloud solutions, and cybersecurity. Comparable spending benchmarks for data storage solutions can vary widely based on capacity, performance requirements, and service level agreements. The GSA Schedule 70 (now IT Schedule 70) is a primary vehicle for federal agencies to procure IT services and products, indicating this contract leverages an established procurement channel.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, if Data Storage Science, LLC chooses to engage small businesses. Without specific subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct benefit to the small business sector from this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, as the end-user agency. The contract is a delivery order under a GSA Schedule, meaning GSA also provides a layer of oversight. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

GSA IT Schedule 70
Data Storage Solutions
Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Commerce IT Procurement
USPTO Technology Modernization

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration requires sustained performance monitoring.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical data storage infrastructure.
Potential for scope creep or changes in requirements over the contract period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $20.3 million to DATA STORAGE SCIENCE, LLC. FY21 O&M SAES SERVICES GSA70 F/POP: 5/15/2021 - 11/14/2021 OIEO REQ 2924

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DATA STORAGE SCIENCE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-14. End: 2025-12-15.

What is the track record of Data Storage Science, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Data Storage Science, LLC in performing similar federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government engagements. Federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be the primary sources for such information. Understanding their experience with large-scale data storage solutions and their ability to meet stringent government requirements is crucial for assessing future performance risk.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar data storage services?

The provided data does not include specific unit costs or detailed service level agreements, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. The total award amount of $20.3 million over approximately 4.5 years (1676 days) suggests an average annual value of roughly $4.5 million. To benchmark this against market rates, one would need to analyze pricing for comparable data storage solutions (e.g., by capacity, performance, and features) offered by other vendors in the commercial and government sectors. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with five bidders suggests that the pricing was likely competitive, but a definitive assessment requires more granular cost data and market intelligence.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will they be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract or the methods for their measurement. Typically, for data storage services, KPIs might include data availability, data integrity, retrieval times, system uptime, security compliance, and response times for support. The contract's performance expectations would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Effective oversight requires clearly defined, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) KPIs, along with a robust system for monitoring and reporting on the contractor's performance against these metrics.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the USPTO's ability to manage and protect intellectual property data?

This contract is critical for the USPTO's ability to manage and protect intellectual property data. Reliable, secure, and scalable data storage is fundamental to the USPTO's operations, enabling the efficient processing, retrieval, and long-term preservation of patent and trademark applications and related information. Enhanced data storage capabilities can improve system performance, reduce the risk of data loss, and support the USPTO's digital transformation initiatives. The success of this contract directly impacts the integrity and accessibility of the nation's intellectual property records.

How does this contract's value and duration compare to historical spending on data storage services by the Department of Commerce?

The provided data offers a snapshot of a single contract award. To compare this contract's value ($20.3M) and duration (1676 days) to historical spending patterns, one would need access to broader spending data for the Department of Commerce and the USPTO specifically on data storage and related IT services. Analyzing trends over multiple fiscal years would reveal whether this award is typical, an outlier, or part of a larger strategic investment. Factors such as increasing data volumes, technological advancements, and evolving IT strategies influence historical spending and should be considered in any comparative analysis.

Are there any identified risks associated with Data Storage Science, LLC's technical capabilities or financial stability?

The provided data does not contain specific information regarding risks associated with Data Storage Science, LLC's technical capabilities or financial stability. Such assessments are typically conducted during the pre-award phase through reviews of proposals, past performance, and financial health indicators. Post-award, risks might emerge related to service delivery, system integration, or adherence to security protocols. Continuous monitoring and proactive risk management by the contracting agency are essential throughout the contract's lifecycle to mitigate potential issues.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 46040 CENTER OAK PLZ STE 145, STERLING, VA, 20166

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,323,175

Exercised Options: $20,323,175

Current Obligation: $20,323,175

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA18D00C8

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline