Commerce Awards $2.8M for CODS Support Services to The Brite Group, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,842,156 ($2.8M)
Contractor: THE Brite Group, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2023-08-18
End Date: 2029-02-17
Contract Duration: 2,010 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: AWARD OF CENTER FOR OPTIMIZATION AND DATA SCIENCE (CODS) SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $2.8 million to THE BRITE GROUP, INC for work described as: AWARD OF CENTER FOR OPTIMIZATION AND DATA SCIENCE (CODS) SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract is for Computer Systems Design Services, a common area for federal IT spending. 2. The Brite Group, Inc. secured this award through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration is over 5 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The award value is $2.84 million, which needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. Benchmarking the hourly rates against industry standards and similar government contracts is crucial for assessing value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure requires careful monitoring to ensure competitive pricing throughout the contract's life.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential data science support services. The competitive award process aims to ensure fair pricing, but vigilant oversight is needed to prevent cost escalation.
Public Impact
Enhances the U.S. Census Bureau's capabilities in data analysis and optimization. Supports critical government functions related to data science. The award contributes to the IT services sector within the federal market.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing structure
- Long contract duration (over 5 years)
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Award to a single entity for specialized services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under IT services, specifically Computer Systems Design. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, and this award represents a small portion of the overall IT budget. Benchmarks for similar services are essential for cost evaluation.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, The Brite Group, Inc., is not identified as a small business in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was considered or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The Census Bureau is responsible for oversight of this contract. Given the Time and Materials nature and long duration, robust performance monitoring and financial controls are essential to ensure accountability and prevent waste.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Census Bureau Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility for future technological advancements.
- Lack of explicit small business participation noted.
- Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-commerce, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $2.8 million to THE BRITE GROUP, INC. AWARD OF CENTER FOR OPTIMIZATION AND DATA SCIENCE (CODS) SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE BRITE GROUP, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-18. End: 2029-02-17.
What are the specific deliverables and performance metrics for the CODS support services, and how will they be measured to ensure value for money?
The contract details should outline specific deliverables such as data analysis reports, system optimization plans, and software development milestones. Performance metrics should include timeliness, accuracy, and adherence to technical specifications. Regular reviews and performance evaluations by the Census Bureau are critical to ensure the contractor meets expectations and provides value commensurate with the $2.84 million investment.
How will the Census Bureau mitigate the risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing model to prevent cost overruns over the contract's five-year duration?
Mitigation strategies for T&M contracts include establishing clear labor categories with pre-negotiated hourly rates, setting cost ceilings, and implementing strict oversight of hours billed. The Census Bureau should conduct regular audits of timesheets and invoices, define specific tasks and expected effort, and require detailed progress reports to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent scope creep.
What is the expected impact of these CODS support services on the Census Bureau's operational efficiency and data processing capabilities?
The CODS support services are expected to enhance the Census Bureau's ability to process, analyze, and derive insights from large datasets more effectively. This could lead to improved accuracy in statistical outputs, faster dissemination of critical information, and the development of innovative data-driven solutions, ultimately strengthening the Bureau's mission and its service to the public.
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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 312F E MARKET ST STE 105, LEESBURG, VA, 20176
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,197,096
Exercised Options: $2,842,156
Current Obligation: $2,842,156
Actual Outlays: $373,664
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F014BA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-18
Current End Date: 2029-02-17
Potential End Date: 2029-02-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-24
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