Census Bureau's $134M IT Deployment Contract Awarded to SAIC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $134,417,279 ($134.4M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2018-08-01

End Date: 2022-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,338 days

Daily Burn Rate: $100.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF FIELD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT FOR 2020 CENSUS

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $134.4 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF FIELD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT FOR 2020 CENSUS Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for IT deployment services for the 2020 Census represents a significant investment in data infrastructure. 2. Competition was robust, with a full and open approach ensuring multiple vendors could bid, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs, but effective oversight is crucial to manage scope and prevent overruns. 4. This IT services contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical area for government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to control costs. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT deployment contracts would provide further insight into its value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, allowing all eligible vendors to submit proposals. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is intended to maximize taxpayer value by securing services at a fair market price.

Public Impact

Ensures the technological backbone for the critical 2020 Census operations. Supports the collection and processing of vital demographic data for the nation. Highlights the government's reliance on private sector IT expertise for large-scale projects. Potential for job creation within the IT sector through this contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for scope creep in long-term IT projects.
  • Dependence on a single vendor for critical census infrastructure.
  • Cybersecurity risks associated with large data systems.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded under full and open competition.
  • Firm fixed-price contract type.
  • Experienced contractor (SAIC).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Computer Systems Design Services sector, which is vital for government agencies needing complex IT solutions. Spending in this sector is substantial, reflecting the increasing digitization of government functions.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a stated requirement or outcome (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the primary focus was on technical capability and price from larger, established firms.

Oversight & Accountability

The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost control, but ongoing oversight by the U.S. Census Bureau is essential to monitor performance, manage any changes, and ensure the project stays on track and within budget.

Related Government Programs

  • Computer Systems Design Services
  • Department of Commerce Contracting
  • U.S. Census Bureau Programs

Risk Flags

  • Long duration of the contract (over 3 years) increases risk of obsolescence or changing requirements.
  • Dependence on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.
  • Potential for cybersecurity vulnerabilities in large IT systems.
  • Lack of explicit small business participation noted.

Tags

computer-systems-design-services, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $134.4 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. IGF::OT::IGF FIELD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT FOR 2020 CENSUS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $134.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-08-01. End: 2022-03-31.

What was the specific performance of SAIC in delivering the IT systems for the 2020 Census, and did it meet the Bureau's requirements on time and within budget?

Detailed performance metrics and final delivery outcomes for this contract are not provided in the data. Assessing SAIC's performance would require reviewing post-award reports, contract modifications, and any documented issues or successes related to the IT deployment for the 2020 Census. This would determine if the project met its objectives and if the firm fixed-price contract effectively managed costs.

How did the final cost compare to initial estimates, and were there significant cost variances due to unforeseen technical challenges or scope changes?

The provided data shows the total award amount but does not include initial estimates or details on cost variances. A firm fixed-price contract aims to mitigate cost overruns, but unforeseen technical challenges or scope changes could lead to modifications or disputes. A thorough analysis would require comparing the final expenditure against the initial bid and examining any contract modifications.

What were the key technological innovations or system designs implemented under this contract, and how did they enhance the efficiency or accuracy of the census data collection?

The data does not specify the technological innovations or system designs. Understanding the impact would involve examining the technical specifications of the deployed IT systems, their role in data collection, processing, and security, and any documented improvements in efficiency, accuracy, or data integrity attributed to SAIC's work on the 2020 Census IT infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesComputer Systems Design Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $134,618,734

Exercised Options: $134,417,279

Current Obligation: $134,417,279

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 37

Total Subaward Amount: $112,003,871

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200051W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline

Start Date: 2018-08-01

Current End Date: 2022-03-31

Potential End Date: 2022-03-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-10-20

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