Commerce Department's USPTO awards $10.3M for Document Prep Services to Chugach Systems Integration, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,295,435 ($10.3M)

Contractor: Chugach Systems Integration, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2003-11-06

End Date: 2009-09-21

Contract Duration: 2,146 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FUNDING MOD

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22314

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $10.3 million to CHUGACH SYSTEMS INTEGRATION, LLC for work described as: FUNDING MOD Key points: 1. The contract value is $10.3 million over its lifetime. 2. Chugach Systems Integration, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The service category is Document Preparation Services (NAICS 561410).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract was awarded under a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, which is generally good for cost control. However, without specific benchmarks for document preparation services, assessing the value relative to similar contracts is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is designed to achieve fair and reasonable prices by allowing all eligible sources to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayers likely received a fair price for the document preparation services procured.

Public Impact

USPTO relies on external vendors for essential document preparation services. The long duration of the contract (over 6 years) suggests a sustained need for these services. The award to Chugach Systems Integration, LLC highlights potential opportunities for businesses in the document services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or quality indicators.
Limited information on the competitive landscape for these services.
Potential for cost creep if scope changes without proper oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type.
Long-term contract indicates sustained demand and potential for stable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The IT and administrative support sector, which includes document preparation services, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for this specific service are not readily available, but overall IT and professional services contracts represent a substantial portion of federal outlays.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that the award went to Chugach Systems Integration, LLC, which is not explicitly identified as a small business in this record. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small business participation was a factor or if subcontracting opportunities were offered.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Commerce's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Standard government oversight processes would apply, including contract performance monitoring and financial accountability measures to ensure services are delivered as specified and within budget.

Related Government Programs

Document Preparation Services
Department of Commerce Contracting
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed service description.
No clear performance metrics provided.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to long duration.
Limited information on competitive pricing benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $10.3 million to CHUGACH SYSTEMS INTEGRATION, LLC. FUNDING MOD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHUGACH SYSTEMS INTEGRATION, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-11-06. End: 2009-09-21.

What specific document preparation services are included under this contract, and how do they align with USPTO's core mission?

The contract covers document preparation services under NAICS code 561410. These services likely encompass tasks such as formatting, printing, mailing, and potentially digital conversion of patent and trademark application documents. Their alignment with the USPTO's mission is crucial for efficient processing of intellectual property applications, ensuring accuracy and timely communication with applicants and the public.

What was the estimated value of the contract at the time of award, and how does the final obligated amount compare?

The provided data shows an 'a' value of $10,295,435.24, which represents the total obligated amount. Without the initial award value or subsequent modifications, it's difficult to assess the variance. However, the final amount reflects the total expenditure over the contract's duration, indicating the scale of the services procured.

How did the competitive bidding process ensure the best value for taxpayers, given the long contract duration?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, driving down prices. The Firm Fixed Price contract type also caps costs. However, the long duration (over 6 years) necessitates robust oversight to prevent scope creep and ensure continued cost-effectiveness throughout the contract lifecycle.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Document Preparation Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Chugach Alaska Corporation (UEI: 071844021)

Address: 560 E 34TH AVE STE 300, ANCHORAGE, AK, 00

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,295,435

Exercised Options: $10,295,435

Current Obligation: $10,295,435

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 50PAPT101022

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline