Census Bureau Awards $3.9M for 2026 Test Operations Support, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,928,798 ($3.9M)
Contractor: AET Federal Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2025-07-29
End Date: 2026-10-31
Contract Duration: 459 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: CONTRACT AWARD FOR 2026 CENSUS TEST - DECENNIAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $3.9 million to AET FEDERAL INC. for work described as: CONTRACT AWARD FOR 2026 CENSUS TEST - DECENNIAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER SERVICES. Key points: 1. Awarded to AET Federal Inc. for $3.9M. 2. Focuses on computer systems design services for the 2026 Census test. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials. 4. No small business participation noted. 5. Significant duration of 459 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The total value of $3.9M for 459 days suggests a daily rate of approximately $8,559, which needs benchmarking against similar IT support services.
Cost Per Unit: $8,559 (estimated daily rate)
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited procurement approach. This lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government received the best possible price and value for these essential services.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competitive bidding may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these decennial census support services.
Public Impact
Impacts the operational readiness of the 2026 Census test. Ensures support for critical data collection and processing infrastructure. Potential for increased costs due to non-competitive award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Time and Materials contract type
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Supports critical Census operations
- Defined period of performance
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under IT services, specifically computer systems design. Spending in this sector is substantial, and competitive procurement is crucial for ensuring cost-effectiveness and innovation.
Small Business Impact
The contract explicitly states no small business participation (SB=false). This is a missed opportunity to support small businesses and could indicate a lack of outreach or specific requirements that favored larger, non-small entities.
Oversight & Accountability
The non-competitive nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery. The Census Bureau should justify the limited competition and monitor the Time and Materials aspect closely.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Census Bureau Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Time and Materials contract type
- No small business participation
- High estimated daily rate
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-commerce, md, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $3.9 million to AET FEDERAL INC.. CONTRACT AWARD FOR 2026 CENSUS TEST - DECENNIAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT CENTER SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AET FEDERAL 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 $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-07-29. End: 2026-10-31.
What specific factors necessitated a non-competitive award for these critical Census support services, and were alternative competitive strategies explored?
The data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. Without further justification from the agency, it's unclear why competitive bidding was bypassed. Typically, non-competitive awards are reserved for urgent needs, sole-source justifications, or when only one vendor can provide the required service. Exploring alternatives like phased competitions or simplified acquisition procedures for smaller components might have been possible.
How will the Census Bureau ensure cost control and value for money with a Time and Materials contract awarded without competition?
The Census Bureau must implement rigorous oversight and management controls. This includes detailed tracking of labor hours and material costs, establishing clear milestones and deliverables, and regularly benchmarking rates against industry standards. Strong contract management and performance monitoring are essential to mitigate the inherent risks of T&M contracts, especially when competition is absent.
What is the potential impact on the 2026 Census test timeline and budget if the awarded services are not delivered effectively or efficiently?
Ineffective or inefficient delivery of these support services could jeopardize the 2026 Census test timeline, potentially delaying crucial data collection and processing phases. This could lead to budget overruns due to extended contract periods, the need for corrective actions, or even require a more costly re-procurement. The success of the test hinges on the reliable performance of these IT support functions.
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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8500 LEESBURG PIKE STE 207, VIENNA, VA, 22182
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,084,709
Exercised Options: $3,928,798
Current Obligation: $3,928,798
Actual Outlays: $689,386
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-07-29
Current End Date: 2026-10-31
Potential End Date: 2026-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-14
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