Interior's $2.2M SIS GIT Maintenance contract awarded to Schlumberger Technology Corporation for FY23

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,215,000 ($2.2M)

Contractor: Schlumberger Technology Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-10-01

End Date: 2023-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SIS GIT MAINTENANCE FY23

Place of Performance

Location: SUGAR LAND, FORT BEND County, TEXAS, 77478

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.2 million to SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION for work described as: SIS GIT MAINTENANCE FY23 Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in maintaining critical IT infrastructure for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. 2. Schlumberger Technology Corporation, a major player in the energy technology sector, secured this contract. 3. The contract duration of 364 days suggests a focus on ongoing operational support rather than a one-time project. 4. The firm-fixed-price contract type indicates that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and cost. 5. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this was not specifically targeted for smaller enterprises. 6. The contract is geographically located in Texas, a hub for energy-related activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific IT maintenance contract is challenging without more granular data on the services provided and the complexity of the SIS system. However, the award amount of approximately $2.2 million for a year of maintenance for a specialized system is within a plausible range for enterprise-level IT support. Further analysis would require comparing per-unit costs for similar maintenance services across different government agencies or private sector contracts for comparable software and systems.

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 bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The open nature of the competition suggests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management sought the best value proposition from the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive prices, reducing the potential for overspending.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management benefits from the continued operational stability of its IT systems. Essential IT maintenance services are delivered to support the agency's mission. The primary geographic impact is within Texas, where the contractor is located. The contract supports specialized IT roles within Schlumberger Technology Corporation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the quality of maintenance.
The reliance on a single vendor for a full year of maintenance could pose a risk if the vendor's performance declines or if they face operational issues.
Without knowing the specific components of the SIS GIT system, it's hard to gauge the complexity and potential for cost overruns if unforeseen issues arise.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Schlumberger Technology Corporation is a well-established company with significant experience in the energy technology sector, implying a degree of reliability.

Sector Analysis

The IT maintenance sector is a critical component of government operations, ensuring the smooth functioning of essential digital infrastructure. This contract falls within the broader IT services market, specifically focusing on software and system maintenance. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous providers ranging from large corporations to specialized firms. The value of this contract, approximately $2.2 million, is moderate within the context of large-scale government IT spending, but significant for the specific system it supports.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the scope and requirements of the SIS GIT maintenance were likely deemed too specialized or large for a typical small business set-aside. Consequently, the primary benefits for small businesses would be indirect, potentially through subcontracting opportunities if Schlumberger Technology Corporation chooses to engage them, or through competition in future, potentially smaller, related contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's award through full and open competition, with data often made publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Infrastructure Maintenance
Software Maintenance Services
Government IT Contracts
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management IT Spending
Schlumberger Technology Corporation Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics
Potential for vendor lock-in
Ambiguity in system scope without full contract details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.2 million to SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION. SIS GIT MAINTENANCE FY23

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-01. End: 2023-09-30.

What specific IT systems or software does SIS GIT Maintenance refer to, and what is the criticality of these systems to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's operations?

SIS GIT Maintenance likely refers to the maintenance of the 'Systematic Information System - Geospatial Information Technology' (SIS GIT) or a similar system within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). While the exact functionalities are not detailed, Geospatial Information Technology (GIT) systems are crucial for agencies like BOEM that manage offshore energy resources, involving mapping, data analysis, environmental assessments, and regulatory compliance. The criticality stems from ensuring the continuous availability and accuracy of data and tools used for decision-making, resource management, and regulatory enforcement. Disruptions to such systems could impede BOEM's ability to perform its core functions, potentially impacting energy development oversight and environmental protection efforts.

How does the $2.2 million contract value compare to historical spending on SIS GIT maintenance or similar IT maintenance contracts within the Department of the Interior?

Without access to historical spending data specifically for SIS GIT maintenance or a comprehensive database of comparable IT maintenance contracts within the Department of the Interior (DOI), a direct comparison is difficult. However, the $2.2 million award for a 364-day period suggests a substantial but not exceptionally large contract for specialized IT maintenance. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze the scope of services, system complexity, and duration of similar contracts awarded by DOI agencies (e.g., USGS, BLM) for enterprise-level software and system upkeep. Factors like the number of users, data volume, and integration requirements significantly influence cost. A preliminary assessment suggests this value is within a reasonable range for maintaining a critical, specialized IT system for a year.

What is Schlumberger Technology Corporation's track record with the Department of the Interior and other federal agencies for IT maintenance and support services?

Schlumberger Technology Corporation is primarily known as a global leader in technology for the energy industry, providing advanced solutions for oilfield services, data management, and digital transformation. While their core business is not typically IT maintenance for government agencies in the same vein as dedicated IT service providers, they possess significant expertise in complex data systems, software development, and technology integration, particularly relevant to energy sector operations. Their track record with the Department of the Interior (DOI) and other federal agencies would need to be specifically examined for IT support contracts. It's possible they have secured contracts related to their domain expertise, such as managing large datasets or specialized software used in resource management, which could include maintenance components. A thorough review of federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would reveal the extent and nature of their past federal IT service awards.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure effective maintenance and system uptime?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this SIS GIT Maintenance contract. In a typical government IT maintenance contract, especially one awarded as Firm Fixed Price, SLAs would define critical metrics such as system uptime percentages (e.g., 99.9%), response times for issue resolution (categorized by severity), patch management timelines, and availability of technical support during specified hours. KPIs would measure the contractor's performance against these SLAs. The absence of this information in the summary data means that assessing the effectiveness of the maintenance and the expected system availability relies on the full contract documentation, which would detail these crucial performance expectations and the remedies for non-compliance.

Given the firm-fixed-price nature, what is the risk of scope creep or unforeseen technical challenges impacting the total cost to the government?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is designed to mitigate the risk of scope creep and provide cost certainty to the government. Under an FFP contract, the contractor agrees to a fixed price for a defined scope of work. If unforeseen technical challenges arise within that defined scope, the contractor is generally responsible for absorbing the additional costs. However, risk is not entirely eliminated. If the 'scope of work' is ambiguously defined in the contract, or if significant, truly unforeseen technical issues emerge that were not reasonably foreseeable at the time of contract award, the contractor might seek contract modifications or equitable adjustments. The effectiveness of the FFP structure here depends heavily on the clarity and completeness of the Statement of Work (SOW) and the contractor's diligence in identifying potential risks during the bidding process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 225 SCHLUMBERGER DR, SUGAR LAND, TX, 77478

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,215,000

Exercised Options: $2,215,000

Current Obligation: $2,215,000

Actual Outlays: $2,215,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140M0120D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline