SSA's $816K IT contract for RCIRP SAS support awarded to Executive Information Systems, L.L.C

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,160,112 ($8.2M)

Contractor: Executive Information Systems, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2021-03-30

End Date: 2026-04-29

Contract Duration: 1,856 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TASK ORDER FOR REENGINEERED COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRITY REVIEW PROCESS (RCIRP) SAS SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: BALTIMORE, BALTIMORE CITY County, MARYLAND, 21235

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $8.2 million to EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, L.L.C. for work described as: TASK ORDER FOR REENGINEERED COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRITY REVIEW PROCESS (RCIRP) SAS SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value of $816,011 for reengineered comprehensive integrity review process (RCIRP) SAS support services. 2. Awarded to Executive Information Systems, L.L.C. under a firm-fixed-price contract. 3. The contract duration is 1856 days, ending April 29, 2026. 4. This is a delivery order under a larger contract. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541519, indicating 'Other Computer Related Services'. 6. The contract was awarded through full and open competition. 7. The base contract value is $439,700.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $816,011 for SAS support services appears reasonable for a nearly five-year duration, averaging approximately $170,000 annually. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that cost overruns are the contractor's responsibility, which is a positive indicator for the government. However, without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive assessment of excellent value is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition was intended and likely achieved, which is beneficial for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to more competitive pricing for taxpayers, as it allows the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified vendors, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits from enhanced support for its Reengineered Comprehensive Integrity Review Process (RCIRP) SAS. This contract ensures the continued operation and potential improvement of critical IT systems supporting integrity reviews. The services delivered are IT-related, focusing on SAS (Statistical Analysis System) support. The geographic impact is primarily within the SSA's operational footprint, likely concentrated in Maryland where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may include specialized IT professionals skilled in SAS and system support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed solely by Executive Information Systems, L.L.C.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical SAS support could pose a risk if the vendor experiences financial instability or performance issues.
The firm-fixed-price nature, while generally good, could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully, potentially increasing overall costs beyond initial expectations.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process that should yield fair pricing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor, encouraging efficient service delivery.
Long-term contract (nearly 5 years) provides stability for the SSA in maintaining essential IT services.
The contract supports a specific, critical process (RCIRP), indicating a focused and necessary IT requirement.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within government contracting, is highly competitive. This contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519), which encompasses a broad range of IT support, consulting, and integration services. Federal spending in this category is substantial, with agencies constantly seeking to modernize systems and improve data analysis capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for SAS support or similar data analytics platforms within federal agencies, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and contractor experience.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. The prime contractor, Executive Information Systems, L.L.C., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is minimal. However, the potential for subcontracting opportunities with small businesses exists, depending on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan and the nature of the services required. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Social Security Administration's contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a larger contract, it likely falls under existing oversight mechanisms for that parent contract. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases where award details are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected or identified.

Related Government Programs

Social Security Administration IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Contracts
IT Support Services for Federal Agencies
Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Software Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on contractor performance for critical system support
Scope creep risk in fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $8.2 million to EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, L.L.C.. TASK ORDER FOR REENGINEERED COMPREHENSIVE INTEGRITY REVIEW PROCESS (RCIRP) SAS SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-30. End: 2026-04-29.

What is the track record of Executive Information Systems, L.L.C. with the Social Security Administration and other federal agencies?

Executive Information Systems, L.L.C. has a history of contracting with federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration (SSA). The provided data indicates this is a delivery order for SAS support services. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their past performance ratings on similar contracts, any past performance issues or disputes, and their overall experience with the specific technologies and processes involved in the RCIRP would be necessary. Examining contract databases for other awards and their values to the SSA and other agencies can provide insights into the breadth and depth of their federal contracting experience. A review of their financial stability and any reported performance metrics from previous engagements would further inform an assessment of their reliability and capability.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar IT support services for federal agencies?

The contract value of $816,011 over approximately 1856 days (roughly 4.9 years) equates to an average annual cost of about $166,500. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar contracts for SAS support or specialized IT services within the federal government. Factors such as the specific scope of work, required expertise (e.g., level of SAS certification, experience with integrity review processes), service level agreements, and the number of hours or resources dedicated are crucial for a fair comparison. Without access to detailed pricing breakdowns or a database of comparable contract costs, it is difficult to definitively state whether this contract represents excellent, good, or fair value. However, the firm-fixed-price nature generally suggests a commitment to a defined cost.

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

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, leading to delays or subpar support for the RCIRP SAS. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if the contractor develops unique, proprietary knowledge that makes switching difficult or costly. Scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the initial agreement without corresponding adjustments to cost or schedule, is another concern, although the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by the SSA, including regular performance reviews, clear communication channels, and adherence to defined service level agreements. The full and open competition process itself helps mitigate risks by selecting a vendor deemed capable and competitive based on initial proposals.

How effective is the RCIRP SAS support likely to be given the contract details?

The effectiveness of the RCIRP SAS support hinges on several factors not fully detailed in the award data. The contract's duration of nearly five years suggests a need for sustained support, implying the RCIRP is a long-term, critical function. The firm-fixed-price model incentivizes the contractor to deliver services efficiently. However, effectiveness is ultimately measured by the contractor's ability to meet performance standards, maintain system uptime, provide timely technical assistance, and contribute to the overall integrity of the review process. The SSA's oversight and performance monitoring will be crucial in ensuring the support provided is effective in meeting the program's objectives.

What are the historical spending patterns for RCIRP SAS support or similar services at the SSA?

The provided data focuses on a single delivery order ($816,011) awarded in March 2021. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to examine previous contracts for RCIRP SAS support, potentially including predecessor systems or related IT services for integrity review functions at the SSA. This would involve looking at spending trends over several fiscal years, identifying the number and value of similar contracts awarded, and noting any significant increases or decreases in investment. Understanding these patterns can reveal whether spending on this type of support is growing, stable, or declining, and whether the SSA is consolidating or diversifying its vendor base for such services.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6903 ROCKLEDGE DR STE 760, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,858,784

Exercised Options: $8,858,784

Current Obligation: $8,160,112

Actual Outlays: $7,547,386

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA18D0081

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline