Treasury's $2.8M IT support contract for AMIS awarded to Creative Systems and Consulting L.L.C

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,795,462 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Creative Systems and Consulting L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2025-04-24

End Date: 2026-04-23

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) OF THE CDFI FUND'S AWARDS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (AMIS) AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $2.8 million to CREATIVE SYSTEMS AND CONSULTING L.L.C. for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) OF THE CDFI FUND'S AWARDS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (AMIS) AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential IT support for the CDFI Fund's awards management system. 2. Awarded through a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is one year, indicating a need for ongoing operational support. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. The specific NAICS code (541511) points to custom computer programming services. 6. This contract supports the operational integrity of a critical financial awards system.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.8 million for a one-year IT support services agreement appears reasonable given the scope of maintaining a financial awards management system. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for government systems of comparable complexity and criticality would provide further insight into value for money. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control. Without specific details on the services rendered and their market rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the price seems aligned with typical IT operational support needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all eligible responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but a full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The process suggests that the agency sought the best value through a broad solicitation, rather than restricting it to a limited pool of vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions, ultimately aiming to secure the most cost-effective outcome for government services.

Public Impact

The CDFI Fund's operations and its ability to manage and disburse awards are directly supported. Financial institutions and organizations applying for or receiving CDFI Fund awards will benefit from a stable and functional management system. The contract ensures the continued operation of the Awards Management Information System (AMIS), a critical tool for program administration. IT professionals may be employed or retained through this contract, supporting the technology sector workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed without adequate knowledge transfer clauses.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical system maintenance could pose a risk if the vendor faces operational challenges.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed tightly within the fixed-price contract.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process aimed at best value.
The contract supports a critical government function, ensuring continuity of operations for financial awards.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming and IT support, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls within the broader category of IT support services, which are essential for the functioning of government agencies. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized support for government systems. The value of this contract, approximately $2.8 million, is moderate within the context of large federal IT procurements, but significant for the specific function it serves.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the competition was open to all eligible firms, regardless of size. The absence of small business set-aside provisions means that large businesses were likely the primary participants in the bidding process. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are anticipated or mandated through other means.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Treasury and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which awarded the contract. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost oversight. Performance monitoring and quality assurance processes would be crucial to ensure the contractor meets the service level agreements. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

IT Operations and Maintenance Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services
Federal Civilian Agency IT Support
Financial Management Systems Support
CDFI Fund Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor performance issues
Cybersecurity risks
Scope creep potential
Reliance on single vendor for critical system

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $2.8 million to CREATIVE SYSTEMS AND CONSULTING L.L.C.. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) OF THE CDFI FUND'S AWARDS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (AMIS) AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE SYSTEMS AND CONSULTING L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Bureau of the Fiscal Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-24. End: 2026-04-23.

What is the track record of Creative Systems and Consulting L.L.C. with federal contracts, particularly in IT support?

Creative Systems and Consulting L.L.C. (CSC) has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the IT services domain. While specific details on past performance for similar systems are not provided in this summary, CSC's presence in the federal contracting space suggests experience with government requirements and procurement processes. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues, would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and capability in delivering IT support services for critical government systems like AMIS. Their ability to secure this contract through full and open competition indicates they met the agency's initial qualifications.

How does the $2.8 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts for government financial systems?

The $2.8 million contract value for one year of IT support for the CDFI Fund's AMIS is a moderate figure within the federal IT landscape. To benchmark effectively, one would compare it to contracts for similar-sized financial management or awards systems across civilian agencies. Factors such as the complexity of the system, the number of users, the criticality of the data, and the specific services required (e.g., help desk, system administration, cybersecurity, development) heavily influence pricing. Without detailed service scope and system complexity comparisons, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value. However, for a one-year operational support contract, it appears within a plausible range for maintaining a specialized government information system.

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

Key risks include potential service disruptions if the contractor fails to perform adequately, cybersecurity vulnerabilities if system security is not maintained, and cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates (though mitigated by the Firm Fixed Price structure). Vendor lock-in is another risk if knowledge transfer is insufficient. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, adherence to strict cybersecurity protocols, clear contract terms, and potentially contingency planning for service continuity. The full and open competition process also helps mitigate risks by selecting a vendor deemed capable and competitive.

How effective is the Awards Management Information System (AMIS) in supporting the CDFI Fund's mission, and how does this contract contribute?

The effectiveness of AMIS is crucial for the CDFI Fund's mission of promoting economic revitalization in distressed communities. AMIS likely facilitates the application, review, award, and monitoring processes for various financial products and programs. This IT support contract directly contributes to AMIS's effectiveness by ensuring its continuous operation, reliability, and security. Without adequate IT support, the system could experience downtime, data integrity issues, or security breaches, thereby hindering the CDFI Fund's ability to efficiently deploy capital and track its impact. The contract's focus on O&M is foundational to AMIS's operational success.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support services at the CDFI Fund or Bureau of the Fiscal Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT support at the CDFI Fund or the Bureau of the Fiscal Service would provide context for the $2.8 million award. This includes examining the duration and value of previous contracts for AMIS or similar systems, the number of vendors involved, and whether spending has been consistent or fluctuating. Understanding trends like increased reliance on external IT support, shifts in technology adoption, or budget allocations for IT operations would help assess if current spending is anomalous or part of a predictable pattern. This historical data is essential for evaluating long-term cost-effectiveness and strategic IT investment.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader IT services market, particularly for small businesses?

As this contract was awarded through full and open competition and not specifically set aside for small businesses, its direct impact on the small business IT sector might be limited unless CSC engages small businesses as subcontractors. The primary beneficiaries are likely larger IT service providers capable of competing for such contracts. However, the existence of such contracts signifies ongoing demand within the federal government for IT support, which can indirectly benefit the ecosystem by creating opportunities for specialized skills and potentially driving innovation that smaller firms can later adopt or contribute to. The overall market impact depends on the scale and nature of the services required.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFQ-CDF-20-BPA-0001

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2550 S CLARK ST FL 12, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,795,462

Exercised Options: $2,795,462

Current Obligation: $2,795,462

Actual Outlays: $1,630,686

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 20340620A00001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline