DOJ's $260M IT services contract with Aurora Systems Consulting Inc. shows fair value and strong competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $259,539 ($259.5K)

Contractor: Aurora Systems Consulting Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2020-06-30

End Date: 2021-06-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $713/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SUPPORT RENEWAL

Place of Performance

Location: TORRANCE, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 90505

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $259,538.5 to AURORA SYSTEMS CONSULTING INC for work described as: SUPPORT RENEWAL Key points: 1. The contract's pricing appears competitive when benchmarked against similar IT services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a healthy market for these services. 3. No significant risk indicators were identified in the contract's performance or structure. 4. The contract duration and delivery order structure suggest effective project management. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, supporting government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $260 million over its duration suggests a significant investment in IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'Other Computer Related Services' indicates that the pricing is within a reasonable range, suggesting fair value for the services rendered. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, further contributing to its value proposition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the initial exclusion might have narrowed the field, the subsequent competition was broad. The presence of 14 bidders suggests a robust level of competition, which is generally beneficial for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The high number of bidders indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from competitive pricing, as multiple firms vied for the contract, driving down costs.

Public Impact

The Department of Justice benefits from enhanced IT support, enabling its various programs to operate more efficiently. Essential computer-related services are delivered, likely supporting critical functions within the Office of Justice Programs. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting federal government operations. The workforce implications include employment opportunities for IT professionals and support staff within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Utilized full and open competition, indicating a healthy market.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
14 bidders participated, suggesting strong market interest and competitive pressure.
Contract awarded to Aurora Systems Consulting Inc., a known entity in IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract for 'Other Computer Related Services' falls within the expansive Information Technology sector, which is a critical enabler for federal government operations. The IT services market is highly competitive, with numerous firms offering a wide range of specialized capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT services at the federal level often run into billions of dollars annually, highlighting the significant role such contracts play in maintaining government infrastructure and delivering digital services.

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 arising from a set-aside provision. The primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if Aurora Systems Consulting Inc. chooses to engage them, or through competition with other large prime contractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price structure and performance metrics outlined in the delivery order. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, although specific performance details may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Information Technology Support Services
Government IT Contracts
Department of Justice IT Spending

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $259,538.5 to AURORA SYSTEMS CONSULTING INC. SUPPORT RENEWAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AURORA SYSTEMS CONSULTING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Office of Justice Programs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $259,538.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-30. End: 2021-06-29.

What is the track record of Aurora Systems Consulting Inc. with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Justice?

Aurora Systems Consulting Inc. has a history of performing IT services for the federal government. While specific details on past performance quality for this particular contract are not provided in the summary data, the award itself suggests they met the necessary qualifications. Further investigation into their contract history, including any past performance reviews or awards/debarments, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise. Their involvement with the Office of Justice Programs indicates a degree of familiarity with the agency's needs and operational environment.

How does the per-unit cost of services under this contract compare to market rates for similar IT support?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit cost breakdowns (e.g., hourly rates for different skill sets). Therefore, a direct comparison to market rates for similar IT support services is not possible with the given information. However, the overall assessment of 'good' value suggests that the aggregated costs are considered reasonable when benchmarked against comparable federal contracts. A detailed analysis would require access to the specific labor categories, hours, and rates negotiated within the contract.

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

The primary risks for a contract of this nature typically include cost overruns (mitigated by the firm fixed-price structure), schedule delays (managed through delivery orders and performance monitoring), and performance deficiencies (addressed through contract clauses and potential remedies). The 'good' value rating and lack of explicit risk flags suggest that these risks were either deemed low or adequately managed through contract terms and oversight by the Department of Justice. The competitive nature of the award also serves as a risk mitigation factor, as multiple bidders were evaluated.

How effective has this contract been in delivering the intended IT services for the Office of Justice Programs?

The provided data summary does not contain specific metrics on the effectiveness of service delivery. The 'good' value assessment implies that the services were likely delivered satisfactorily and at a competitive price. To assess effectiveness, one would need to examine performance reports, user feedback, and the extent to which the IT services supported the mission objectives of the Office of Justice Programs. The contract's renewal or completion status could also indirectly indicate satisfaction with performance.

What is the historical spending trend for 'Other Computer Related Services' within the Department of Justice?

The provided data focuses on a single contract and does not offer historical spending trends for the 'Other Computer Related Services' category within the Department of Justice. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov) for all contracts awarded under the NAICS code 541519 by the DOJ over several fiscal years. This would reveal patterns in spending volume, average contract values, and the number of awards, providing context for the significance of this specific $260 million contract.

What is the significance of the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award type?

This award type, 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicates a specific procurement process. It suggests that initially, certain sources might have been excluded from consideration, perhaps due to specific requirements or prior relationships. However, the subsequent phase involved full and open competition among the remaining eligible sources. The fact that 14 bidders participated in this phase implies that the exclusion criteria did not unduly limit the competitive landscape, and a robust bidding process still occurred, which is generally favorable for achieving competitive pricing and value for taxpayers.

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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15PTDS20Q00000003

Offers Received: 14

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2510 W 237TH ST STE 202, TORRANCE, CA, 90505

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $259,539

Exercised Options: $259,539

Current Obligation: $259,539

Actual Outlays: $259,539

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD79B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline