SEC awards $27.7M for Enterprise Data Warehouse SME support, with 18 months remaining

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,696,869 ($27.7M)

Contractor: Kci-Acuity, LLC

Awarding Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission

Start Date: 2020-04-22

End Date: 2025-04-21

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE (EDW) - SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) TECHNICAL SUPPORT/SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20549

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Securities and Exchange Commission obligated $27.7 million to KCI-ACUITY, LLC for work described as: ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE (EDW) - SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) TECHNICAL SUPPORT/SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $27.7M over its potential duration suggests a significant investment in data management capabilities. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce cost variability, requiring close monitoring. 4. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the primary agency, focusing on financial market regulation. 5. The contract supports the Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW), a critical component for data analysis and storage. 6. The remaining period of performance is 18 months, suggesting ongoing need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $27.7M over its full term appears reasonable for specialized IT support services related to a large-scale data warehouse. Benchmarking against similar contracts for EDW SME support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. However, the fixed period of performance and the competitive award process suggest an effort to control costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which typically means the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of one award indicates that KCI-ACUITY, LLC was selected as the best value. The level of competition, while resulting in one award, suggests a robust initial bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition contracts.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the SEC's divisions and offices that rely on the Enterprise Data Warehouse for data analysis, reporting, and decision-making. Services delivered include subject matter expertise and technical support crucial for the EDW's functionality and maintenance. The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., where the SEC is headquartered. Workforce implications include the need for skilled IT professionals with expertise in data warehousing and relevant technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials pricing if not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical EDW SME support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The 'After Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition type warrants further review to understand any specific limitations or justifications.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
The contract has a defined period of performance, providing a clear timeframe for service delivery.
The SEC's continued investment in EDW support indicates the strategic importance of this data infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly data management and warehousing, is a critical area for government agencies. The market for Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) support is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. This contract fits within the broader category of IT professional services, supporting the SEC's mission-critical data infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for EDW support can vary widely based on scope, complexity, and the specific technologies involved.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary contractor, KCI-ACUITY, LLC, is likely a large business, and the focus of this award was not on small business utilization.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the SEC responsible for the Enterprise Data Warehouse. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract's performance standards and delivery requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, although specific performance metrics are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) Services
IT Professional Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Data Management Support
Technical Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support.
Need for detailed performance monitoring to ensure value.
Understanding the 'After Exclusion of Sources' rationale.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Securities and Exchange Commission awarded $27.7 million to KCI-ACUITY, LLC. ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE (EDW) - SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) TECHNICAL SUPPORT/SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KCI-ACUITY, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (Securities and Exchange Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-04-22. End: 2025-04-21.

What is the track record of KCI-ACUITY, LLC with the SEC and other federal agencies for similar EDW support contracts?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess KCI-ACUITY, LLC's track record. However, the award of this contract by the SEC suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities. Examining past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any reported issues on previous SEC contracts, as well as contracts with other agencies, would provide a comprehensive understanding of their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms. Specific details on their performance history, including any awards or disputes, are crucial for a complete risk assessment.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar EDW SME technical support services?

Determining the precise value for money requires a detailed comparison with market rates for comparable Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) Subject Matter Expert (SME) technical support. Factors such as the specific technologies supported (e.g., Oracle, SQL Server, cloud platforms), the level of expertise required, and the geographic location of services influence pricing. Benchmarking against industry reports, similar government contracts awarded through competitive processes, and commercial IT service pricing would be necessary. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure adds complexity, as the final cost depends on actual hours worked and material costs, making a direct price-to-price comparison challenging without detailed labor category rates and estimated effort.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, such contracts would include metrics related to system availability, response times for support requests, data accuracy, project completion timelines, and adherence to security protocols. These KPIs and SLAs are crucial for measuring contractor performance and ensuring the SEC receives the expected value. The contracting officer and program managers are responsible for monitoring adherence to these metrics and addressing any performance deficiencies.

What is the historical spending pattern for EDW SME technical support at the SEC?

To analyze historical spending patterns for EDW SME technical support at the SEC, one would need to examine procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts awarded for similar services, including their value, duration, and the contractors involved. Trends in spending, such as increases or decreases in contract values, changes in the number of awarded contracts, or shifts in the types of services procured, would reveal the SEC's evolving investment in its data warehousing capabilities. Understanding these patterns can help assess whether the current $27.7M award is consistent with past investments or represents a significant change in strategy or scope.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for EDW SME technical support is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the scope of work expands, or if the contractor's efficiency is lower than anticipated, the total cost can exceed initial estimates. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, justification for materials, and robust change management processes, is essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the contract remains within budget and delivers value.

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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 50310220Q0014

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 202 CHURCH ST SE STE 313A, LEESBURG, VA, 20175

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,696,869

Exercised Options: $27,696,869

Current Obligation: $27,696,869

Actual Outlays: $27,696,138

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 50310219D0008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline