State Department's $43M AIDS Relief Task Order Awarded to Accenture Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,176,314 ($43.2M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-07-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $59.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AND DIPLOMACY TASK ORDER IMPLEMENTS THE PRESIDENT EMERGENCY PLAN FOR AIDS RELIEF PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $43.2 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: THE GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AND DIPLOMACY TASK ORDER IMPLEMENTS THE PRESIDENT EMERGENCY PLAN FOR AIDS RELIEF PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Task order awarded under a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, suggesting potential for future task orders. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not closely managed. 3. The duration of 729 days indicates a significant, multi-year commitment for these services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 5. The task order is part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a high-profile global health initiative. 6. The specific NAICS code (541512) points to computer systems design services, indicating a technology-focused component to the AIDS relief efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $43,176,313.52 for computer systems design services related to global health security and diplomacy appears to be within a reasonable range for a multi-year, complex task order supporting a major presidential initiative like PEPFAR. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT support contracts for international programs would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates vigilant oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the scope of work and do not escalate beyond initial projections.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this significant contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down costs and encourages innovation, leading to more efficient use of public funds for critical programs like AIDS relief.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals and communities impacted by HIV/AIDS globally, through the implementation of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The services delivered are expected to support the technological infrastructure and systems necessary for the effective management and execution of PEPFAR programs. The geographic impact is global, aligning with the worldwide reach of PEPFAR initiatives. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT professionals to support complex health diplomacy and security systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type if not managed stringently.
Dependence on a single contractor (Accenture Federal Services LLC) for a critical multi-year task order could pose continuity risks if performance issues arise.
The complexity of integrating IT systems for global health initiatives presents inherent technical and execution risks.

Positive Signals

Award to a large, established federal contractor (Accenture Federal Services LLC) with a significant track record in IT services.
The task order is part of a well-established and high-priority presidential initiative (PEPFAR), suggesting strong programmatic support and oversight.
Awarded under full and open competition, which typically indicates a thorough vetting of capabilities and pricing.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design. The market for IT services supporting government programs, particularly in global health and diplomacy, is substantial. Accenture Federal Services LLC is a major player in this space, competing with other large system integrators. The value of this task order, while significant, represents a fraction of the overall federal spending on IT services and global health initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large task order awarded to a major contractor, it is unlikely to have significant direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless specifically mandated or pursued by the prime contractor. The focus is on large-scale IT systems design rather than services typically contracted to smaller, specialized firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily fall under the Department of State's program management and contracting offices. Given its connection to PEPFAR, there may also be oversight from the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy, as well as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the State Department's Inspector General. Transparency is expected through contract reporting mechanisms, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
Global Health Security Initiatives
Department of State IT Modernization Programs
Computer Systems Design Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to T&M contract type.
Complexity of global IT system deployment and support.
Cybersecurity risks associated with sensitive health data.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical program support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $43.2 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. THE GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY AND DIPLOMACY TASK ORDER IMPLEMENTS THE PRESIDENT EMERGENCY PLAN FOR AIDS RELIEF PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is Accenture Federal Services LLC's track record with the Department of State and PEPFAR-related contracts?

Accenture Federal Services LLC is a large and established federal contractor with extensive experience across various government agencies, including the Department of State. They have a history of performing complex IT services, system integration, and program management support. While specific details on their PEPFAR-related contract performance are not readily available in this dataset, their general profile suggests they are well-equipped to handle such a task order. A deeper dive into contract databases and performance reviews would be necessary to fully assess their specific track record on similar initiatives, looking for any past performance issues, successful project completions, and client satisfaction ratings.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar IT services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to evolve. They reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. Compared to fixed-price contracts, T&M offers more flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government if not meticulously managed. For IT services, especially those involving system design and development where requirements can change, T&M can be appropriate. However, it requires robust oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and materials, and clear ceiling prices to prevent uncontrolled spending. Other contract types like Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) or Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) might offer better cost certainty if the scope is well-defined upfront.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely being used to measure the success of this task order?

Key performance indicators for this task order would likely focus on the successful design, development, and implementation of computer systems supporting PEPFAR. This could include metrics related to system uptime and availability, data integrity and security, successful integration of new functionalities, user adoption rates, and timely completion of project milestones. For a global health initiative, KPIs might also encompass the system's ability to improve program efficiency, enhance data reporting accuracy for PEPFAR, and contribute to better health outcomes by facilitating program management and resource allocation. The specific KPIs would be detailed in the task order's Performance Work Statement (PWS).

What is the historical spending trend for similar computer systems design services supporting global health programs at the Department of State?

Historical spending on computer systems design services for global health programs at the Department of State, particularly those related to PEPFAR, has been substantial over the years. PEPFAR itself represents billions of dollars in federal investment, and a significant portion of this funding is allocated to the technological infrastructure and IT support required to manage and execute these complex international programs. While this specific $43 million task order is a single award, it reflects an ongoing need for sophisticated IT solutions to support global health diplomacy. Analyzing past PEPFAR budgets and IT-related contract awards would reveal a consistent pattern of significant investment in this area, driven by the program's scale and complexity.

What are the potential risks associated with the geographic scope and complexity of implementing IT systems for global health diplomacy?

Implementing IT systems for global health diplomacy across various international locations presents numerous risks. These include challenges related to varying levels of technological infrastructure and internet connectivity in different countries, cybersecurity threats targeting sensitive health data, political instability or regulatory changes in host nations, and the need for culturally sensitive user training and support. Furthermore, ensuring data privacy and compliance with diverse international data protection laws adds significant complexity. The sheer scale of coordinating IT deployments and support across multiple continents requires robust logistical planning and risk mitigation strategies to address potential disruptions and ensure program continuity.

Industry Classification

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

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $75,728,264

Exercised Options: $43,176,314

Current Obligation: $43,176,314

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 17

Total Subaward Amount: $22,486,371

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM24D0016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline