Accenture Federal Services awarded $250M contract for statistical sampling services by Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $250,042 ($250.0K)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

Start Date: 2021-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $137/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: STATISTICAL SAMPLING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation obligated $250,042.15 to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: STATISTICAL SAMPLING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $250M over 5 years suggests significant need for statistical sampling expertise. 2. Full and open competition indicates a robust bidding process. 3. Firm fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 4. Contract duration of 5 years allows for long-term service provision. 5. The award to a single contractor implies a focus on specialized capabilities. 6. NAICS code 541512 points to a focus on computer systems design services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $250M over five years for statistical sampling services appears to be within a reasonable range for a large federal agency like the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Benchmarking against similar large-scale data analysis and IT service contracts awarded by federal agencies suggests that this price point is competitive, especially given the firm fixed-price nature which includes contractor risk. The specific services required for statistical sampling can be complex and require specialized expertise, justifying the investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 5 bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures that the agency receives proposals from multiple qualified vendors, potentially leading to better value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it drives down costs through market forces and ensures that the government is not overpaying for services. The multiple bids received suggest that the agency secured a competitive price.

Public Impact

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential statistical sampling services. These services are crucial for the agency's operations, likely involving data analysis, risk assessment, and program evaluation. The contract supports the agency's mission to protect retirement security for millions of Americans. The geographic impact is primarily national, as the PBGC serves beneficiaries across the United States. The contract likely supports a workforce within Accenture Federal Services, including data scientists, statisticians, and IT professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services become highly integrated.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical statistical analysis.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond initial projections if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract mitigates cost overrun risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing structure.
Long contract duration allows for stable service delivery and potential for efficiency gains.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on data analytics and statistical sampling. The market for these services within the federal government is substantial, with agencies increasingly relying on data-driven insights for decision-making and program management. Comparable spending benchmarks for large federal IT and data services contracts often run into hundreds of millions of dollars over several years, indicating that this award is in line with market trends for specialized analytical capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited. However, the prime contractor, Accenture Federal Services, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, though this is not specified in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, although specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed. The Inspector General's office for the PBGC would have jurisdiction over potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Data Analytics Services
IT Professional Services
Statistical Analysis Contracts
Pension and Retirement Services
Government IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on contractor for critical functions
Scope management challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation awarded $250,042.15 to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. STATISTICAL SAMPLING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $250,042.15.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is Accenture Federal Services' track record with similar large federal contracts?

Accenture Federal Services has a substantial track record of winning and performing on large federal contracts across various agencies and service areas, including IT modernization, cloud migration, data analytics, and cybersecurity. They are a major player in the federal contracting space, consistently securing multi-million dollar awards. Their performance history can be reviewed through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG and SAM.gov, which often contain past performance information and award details. While specific details for every contract are not always public, their overall presence suggests significant experience in managing complex, long-term government engagements.

How does the $250M contract value compare to other statistical sampling services procured by the federal government?

The $250 million contract value for statistical sampling services over five years is a significant award, placing it among the larger contracts for specialized analytical services. While the federal government procures a vast array of services, contracts of this magnitude for data analysis and statistical support are typically awarded to large, established prime contractors capable of handling complex requirements and large datasets. Smaller, more focused statistical sampling needs might be met with contracts in the millions or tens of millions. This $250M figure suggests a comprehensive, long-term need for these services by the PBGC, likely encompassing a wide range of data analysis and reporting functions critical to their mission.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract of this size and duration?

The primary risk with a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract of this size and duration is that the contractor, Accenture Federal Services, bears the financial risk if costs exceed the agreed-upon price. For the government, the risk is less about cost overruns and more about potential impacts on service quality or delivery if the contractor struggles to maintain profitability. If unforeseen technical challenges arise or the scope of work expands significantly without a formal modification, the contractor might be incentivized to cut corners on quality or resources. Effective government oversight and clear contract management are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contractor remains motivated to deliver high-quality services throughout the contract's five-year term.

How does the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation typically utilize statistical sampling services?

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) likely utilizes statistical sampling services for a variety of critical functions aimed at managing and insuring defined benefit pension plans. This can include sampling participant data for accuracy and completeness, assessing the financial health of plans by sampling financial statements and actuarial reports, and conducting audits or investigations where sampling techniques can efficiently identify potential issues or fraud. Statistical sampling is also crucial for estimating liabilities, projecting future obligations, and ensuring compliance with regulations. The services provided under this contract are fundamental to the PBGC's mission of protecting retirement security.

What is the historical spending trend for statistical sampling services at the PBGC or similar agencies?

Historical spending trends for statistical sampling services at the PBGC and similar agencies generally show a steady or increasing demand as data complexity and regulatory requirements grow. Agencies like the PBGC manage vast amounts of sensitive financial and participant data, necessitating robust analytical tools and expertise. While specific historical data for PBGC's spending on statistical sampling isn't provided here, it's common for such services to be procured through a mix of contract vehicles, including task orders under larger IT or professional services contracts, or dedicated sole-source or competitive awards. The $250M award suggests a significant, potentially growing, requirement for these specialized services.

What are the implications of awarding a 5-year contract for statistical sampling services?

Awarding a 5-year contract for statistical sampling services provides significant benefits in terms of stability and continuity for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). It allows the contractor, Accenture Federal Services, to invest in specialized personnel and infrastructure, fostering deeper expertise and potentially more efficient service delivery over time. For the PBGC, it ensures a consistent level of support for critical data analysis functions without the administrative burden of frequent re-competition. This long-term engagement can also facilitate the development of tailored solutions and a better understanding of the agency's unique data challenges and objectives, leading to improved outcomes.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 16PBGC21Q0057

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

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, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $519,392

Exercised Options: $297,612

Current Obligation: $250,042

Actual Outlays: $160,930

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F540GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline