Interior Department awards $2.16M contract for computer systems design services to ICF Incorporated

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,163,541 ($2.2M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-11

End Date: 2026-09-10

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: EOP ONDCP GRANT OVERSIGHT SYSTEM - DFC & CARA ME

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: EOP ONDCP GRANT OVERSIGHT SYSTEM - DFC & CARA ME Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for computer systems design services, a common requirement across federal agencies. 3. The duration of the contract is 729 days, indicating a medium-term project. 4. The award type is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger contract vehicle. 5. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 6. ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is the contractor, with a track record to be further analyzed.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.16 million for computer systems design services over approximately two years appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for IT services of this scope and duration suggests that the pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is advantageous for the government as it shifts cost risk to the contractor, promoting budget predictability. Without specific details on the deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process supports a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment. A competitive process is expected to drive down prices and encourage innovation as contractors vie for the award. The government likely benefited from a range of proposals and pricing structures.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the most taxpayer-friendly approach, as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors and is most likely to result in the best value and lowest price for the government.

Public Impact

The Department of the Interior will benefit from enhanced computer systems design capabilities. This contract supports the agency's operational efficiency and technological infrastructure. The services delivered are crucial for maintaining and improving the department's IT systems. The primary impact is on the internal operations and administrative functions of the Department of the Interior. Workforce implications are likely limited to the contractor's personnel assigned to this project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's success.
The duration of the contract (729 days) could lead to potential scope creep if not managed tightly.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical system design could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
The contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., is likely experienced in providing such services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in modernizing and maintaining their digital infrastructure. This contract represents a small portion of the overall federal IT spending. Comparable contracts often involve system integration, software development, and IT consulting, with pricing varying based on complexity, duration, and specific technological requirements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., is likely a large business. The absence of a small business set-aside means opportunities for small business participation would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan, if any.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, there may be existing oversight mechanisms in place. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance reports are typically internal. The Inspector General's office for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior IT Modernization Programs
Federal Civilian Agency IT Services Contracts
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Information Technology Professional Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to contract duration.
Performance quality dependent on contractor execution.
Lack of specific bidder count limits competition assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. EOP ONDCP GRANT OVERSIGHT SYSTEM - DFC & CARA ME

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-11. End: 2026-09-10.

What is ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.'s past performance record with the federal government, particularly in computer systems design?

ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. has a significant history of federal contracting. A review of federal procurement data reveals numerous awards to ICF across various agencies, including the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, and Environmental Protection Agency. Their experience spans a wide range of services, including IT consulting, program management, and data analytics. While specific details on past performance for this exact type of computer systems design are not detailed in the provided data, their extensive federal footprint suggests a substantial capacity and likely a track record of successful contract execution. Further analysis would involve examining past performance evaluations and any reported issues on previous contracts to gauge their reliability and expertise in this specific domain.

How does the $2.16 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for computer systems design services?

The $2.16 million contract value for computer systems design services over approximately two years (729 days) appears to be within a reasonable range for federal procurements of this nature. Federal contracts for IT services can vary widely in cost based on complexity, scope, and duration. For a medium-sized project focused on system design, this amount suggests a scope that is neither exceptionally large nor small. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Interior or other civilian agencies for comparable services (e.g., NAICS code 541512) would provide a more precise comparison. However, given the firm-fixed-price structure and competitive award, it implies a price that was deemed fair and reasonable at the time of award.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues, schedule delays, and cost overruns (though mitigated by FFP). Performance risk is inherent in any service contract; if ICF fails to deliver quality system design, the Department of the Interior could face operational disruptions. Schedule delays could impact the agency's ability to implement necessary system upgrades. While the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor, there's still a risk of scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract oversight by the Department of the Interior, clear performance work statements, regular progress reviews, and potentially penalties for non-performance as stipulated in the contract.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific computer systems design service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money for services like computer systems design, especially when the scope of work is well-defined. FFP shifts the primary cost risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage their resources efficiently and complete the work within the agreed-upon budget. This provides the government with cost certainty and predictability, which is crucial for budgeting. For system design, where requirements can sometimes evolve, the effectiveness of FFP relies heavily on the clarity and stability of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). If the PWS is comprehensive and changes are managed through a formal modification process, FFP can lead to significant savings and better value compared to cost-reimbursement contracts.

What is the historical spending pattern for computer systems design services within the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for computer systems design services within the Department of the Interior (DOI) indicate a consistent need for IT support and modernization. DOI, like many large federal agencies, relies heavily on complex IT systems to manage its diverse operations, from land management to resource conservation. Spending in this category typically fluctuates based on agency-wide modernization initiatives, cybersecurity upgrades, and the lifecycle of existing systems. While the specific total annual spending for computer systems design by DOI isn't provided here, it's understood to be a significant component of their overall IT budget. This $2.16 million award represents one specific investment within that broader spending context, likely aimed at addressing particular system design needs.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0424R0023

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLZ, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,777,394

Exercised Options: $2,163,541

Current Obligation: $2,163,541

Actual Outlays: $1,392,396

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $355,269

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0043

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline