DOI awards $10.8M for Law Enforcement Records Management System to Simple Technology Solutions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,842,910 ($10.8M)

Contractor: Simple Technology Solutions Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-08-30

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 792 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCUREMENT - 1ST ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $10.8 million to SIMPLE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC. for work described as: LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCUREMENT - 1ST ORDER Key points: 1. The contract is for a critical law enforcement records management system, indicating a need for robust data management and security. 2. Simple Technology Solutions Inc. is the awardee, suggesting potential specialization or competitive advantage in this niche. 3. The procurement method is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which warrants further investigation into the exclusion rationale. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically computing infrastructure and data processing, a growing area of government spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $10.8M for a records management system over approximately 2 years appears within a reasonable range for such specialized IT solutions. Benchmarking against similar procurements for law enforcement RMS would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' While competition was sought, the exclusion of certain sources may limit price discovery and potentially impact the final price achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a critical IT system. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for taxpayers is a key consideration.

Public Impact

Enhances law enforcement capabilities through improved data management. Potential for increased efficiency in record keeping and retrieval for federal agencies. Ensures secure storage and access to sensitive law enforcement data. Supports the operational needs of the Department of the Interior's law enforcement divisions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Rationale for source exclusion needs clarification.
Potential for vendor lock-in with specialized systems.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical operational need for law enforcement.
Awarded through a competitive process, albeit with exclusions.

Sector Analysis

This procurement falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on data processing and hosting services. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for modernizing IT infrastructure and enhancing digital capabilities across agencies.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Simple Technology Solutions Inc., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was a factor or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method suggests a need for robust oversight to ensure the exclusion was justified and that the competition, though limited, yielded fair market value.

Related Government Programs

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Lack of clear justification for source exclusion.
Potential for higher costs due to restricted competition.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $10.8 million to SIMPLE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC.. LAW ENFORCEMENT RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROCUREMENT - 1ST ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIMPLE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-30. End: 2026-10-31.

What was the specific justification for excluding certain sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procurement, and how did this impact the final price and vendor selecti

The justification for excluding sources is crucial for understanding the competitive landscape. If specific technical requirements or prior performance were cited, it could explain the limitation. However, without this information, it's difficult to assess if the exclusion unduly restricted competition, potentially leading to a higher price than a truly open competition might have yielded. Transparency on this exclusion is key to evaluating value for money.

How does the $10.8M contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar law enforcement records management systems, considering the scope and duration of services?

Benchmarking this $10.8M contract against similar procurements is essential for assessing value. Factors like the number of users, data volume, required features (e.g., analytics, mobile access), and integration capabilities influence cost. A preliminary assessment suggests it's within a typical range for a comprehensive system, but a detailed comparison with peer contracts is necessary to confirm if it represents excellent, fair, or questionable value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) in place to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of the awarded records management system?

Measuring the effectiveness of the Law Enforcement Records Management System relies heavily on defined KPIs and SLAs. These should cover aspects like system uptime, data accuracy, search response times, user satisfaction, and security incident response. Without clear metrics, it's challenging to hold the vendor accountable and ensure the system is delivering the intended operational benefits and value to the Department of the Interior.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW STE 4007, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, 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, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,842,910

Exercised Options: $10,842,910

Current Obligation: $10,842,910

Actual Outlays: $10,767,503

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0424D0105

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline