Interior's $10.2M IT services contract awarded to Accenture for mission platform support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,234,492 ($10.2M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-09

End Date: 2026-09-08

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: GLORAS TASK ORDER - MISSION SERVICES PLATFORM IDIQ

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $10.2 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: GLORAS TASK ORDER - MISSION SERVICES PLATFORM IDIQ Key points: 1. Contract provides IT services for mission platform support, indicating a need for ongoing technological infrastructure maintenance and development. 2. The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can pose cost control risks if not closely managed. 3. Awarded to a single contractor, Accenture Federal Services LLC, highlighting a specific vendor relationship for these services. 4. The contract duration of 729 days suggests a medium-term commitment to the selected vendor. 5. The specific NAICS code (541519) points to a focus on 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category within IT. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting the scope or nature of services may favor larger prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $10.2 million over two years for IT mission services is within a typical range for large federal IT procurements. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost efficiency. Without specific performance metrics or comparisons to similar task orders for mission platform support, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against other contracts for similar IT services within the Department of the Interior or other agencies could provide further insight into whether this pricing is competitive.

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 offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The Department of the Interior utilized this approach to select Accenture Federal Services LLC, suggesting that multiple vendors were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through a wide range of potential providers, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of the Interior will benefit from enhanced IT mission platform capabilities. The contract supports the delivery of essential IT services crucial for the department's operational functions. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas served by the Department of the Interior's IT infrastructure, likely nationwide. The contract supports the IT workforce, potentially involving Accenture's personnel and indirectly impacting federal IT staff through improved tools and systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, as it pays for labor hours and materials used rather than a fixed price.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition makes it difficult to fully assess the competitive pressure on pricing.
The broad NAICS code 'Other Computer Related Services' might obscure the specific nature of the services, making detailed performance and cost analysis more complex.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process to select the most capable vendor.
The contract is for mission services, indicating support for critical departmental functions, which is a positive signal for operational continuity.
The contractor, Accenture Federal Services LLC, is a well-established entity with significant experience in federal IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. Contracts like this support the broader digital transformation efforts within government. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services within large federal agencies often run into millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and scope of the mission platforms supported.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Accenture Federal Services LLC, will likely utilize its own resources or larger subcontractors. The absence of a small business set-aside may limit opportunities for smaller IT firms to participate directly in this specific contract, though they might be involved in the broader IT ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Interior. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Civilian Agency IT Services Contracts
Mission Support IT Services
Accenture Federal Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service details and cost comparisons.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical IT function requires diligent oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $10.2 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. GLORAS TASK ORDER - MISSION SERVICES PLATFORM IDIQ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-09. End: 2026-09-08.

What is Accenture Federal Services LLC's track record with the Department of the Interior and similar federal IT contracts?

Accenture Federal Services LLC is a major federal contractor with a long history of providing IT and consulting services across various government agencies, including the Department of the Interior. Their track record typically involves large-scale IT modernization, system integration, and support services. For the Department of the Interior, Accenture has likely held numerous contracts, ranging from enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementations to cybersecurity solutions and cloud migration projects. Analyzing their past performance on similar mission support or platform IDIQ contracts would reveal their ability to deliver on time, within budget, and meet performance requirements. Past performance reviews and contract close-out reports, if publicly available, would offer specific insights into their reliability and effectiveness in fulfilling complex IT requirements for federal clients.

How does the $10.2 million contract value compare to similar IT mission support contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior or other agencies?

The $10.2 million contract value for two years of IT mission services falls within a common range for task orders under larger indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicles or for specific project support within federal agencies. For instance, similar contracts for IT infrastructure management, application development, or platform modernization for agencies like the General Services Administration (GSA) or the Department of Defense (DoD) can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on scope and duration. The Department of the Interior itself awards numerous IT contracts annually. Benchmarking this specific task order against others for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) or for 'Mission Services Platform' support would provide context. If this contract represents a significant portion of the agency's spending in this category or is notably higher/lower than comparable awards, it would warrant further investigation into the specific services rendered and the competitive landscape.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for IT mission services, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, rather than a fixed price. This can lead to unpredictable expenditures if the scope of work is not well-defined or if contractor efficiency is low. For IT mission services, risks include scope creep, inefficient task execution, and inflated labor rates or material costs. Mitigation strategies employed by the government typically include establishing ceiling prices, requiring detailed cost reporting, implementing robust oversight by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to monitor progress and approve hours, and defining labor categories and rates in advance. The Department of the Interior would need to actively manage this contract, ensuring that tasks are clearly defined and that the contractor's performance is efficient to control costs and achieve value for money.

How does the 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) classification impact the understanding of the services provided under this contract?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is a broad classification that encompasses a wide array of IT services not specifically covered by other codes. This can include IT consulting, systems integration, data processing, disaster recovery services, and IT support. For this contract, it suggests the services are not narrowly defined, such as solely software development or network management, but rather a combination of various computer-related activities aimed at supporting the mission platform. This broadness can make it challenging to pinpoint the exact nature of the work and to benchmark costs against highly specific service categories. It implies flexibility in the services provided but also necessitates clear task orders and performance metrics to ensure accountability and effective oversight by the Department of the Interior.

What are the potential implications of awarding this contract to a single vendor, even under full and open competition?

While awarded under full and open competition, the fact that the task order went to a single vendor, Accenture Federal Services LLC, indicates that they were the selected provider for these specific mission services. This can imply that Accenture offered the best value proposition based on technical approach, past performance, and price, or that the nature of the requirement was best met by their capabilities. However, relying on a single vendor for a significant IT function over a two-year period can create vendor lock-in and reduce future competitive pressure. It also means the Department of the Interior's success is heavily dependent on Accenture's performance. While competition occurred during the initial award, the ongoing execution phase lacks direct competition, underscoring the importance of strong contract management and performance monitoring to ensure continued value and service quality.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140D0424R0092

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Novetta Solutions, LLC

Address: 800 N GLEBE RD STE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,867,784

Exercised Options: $10,234,492

Current Obligation: $10,234,492

Actual Outlays: $8,503,046

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $1,030,728

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0424D0097

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline