Commerce awards $28.3M for IT help desk and facilities support to Amentum National Security Programs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,319,749 ($28.3M)

Contractor: Amentum National Security Programs, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2003-02-18

End Date: 2009-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,324 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: HELP DESK SUPPORT FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND END USER SUPPORT CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22313

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $28.3 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC for work described as: HELP DESK SUPPORT FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND END USER SUPPORT CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT help desk and facilities management support, crucial for USPTO operations. 2. Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. secured this contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration of approximately 6.4 years suggests a need for stable, long-term support. 4. The contract was awarded under the VA (Virginia) region, indicating a specific geographic focus. 5. The use of labor hours pricing indicates flexibility but requires careful monitoring of effort. 6. This contract falls under Computer Facilities Management Services, a key IT support category.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.3 million over roughly 6.4 years averages to approximately $4.4 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts is challenging without more specific service level agreements and scope details. However, the pricing structure (labor hours) allows for flexibility, which can be cost-effective if managed efficiently. The 'good' rating reflects the competitive award and the essential nature of the services, assuming performance meets expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wide range of solutions. The open competition suggests that the government sought the best value and technical approach available in the market for these critical IT and facilities support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down prices through market forces and ensures that the government receives a high level of service for its investment.

Public Impact

USPTO staff benefit from reliable IT and facilities support, enabling efficient patent and trademark processing. The contract ensures the smooth operation of critical IT infrastructure and physical facilities at the USPTO. Services are primarily delivered within Virginia, supporting the USPTO's operational footprint. The contract likely supports a workforce involved in IT help desk operations and facilities management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor hour contracts can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored for efficiency and necessity of hours billed.
The long duration of the contract could lead to vendor complacency if performance metrics are not rigorously enforced.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
The contract supports essential IT and facilities functions, indicating a critical need and likely stable performance requirements.
The specific NAICS code (541513) points to a well-defined service category, reducing ambiguity in scope.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically Computer Facilities Management Services. The IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with significant government spending allocated to maintaining and upgrading federal IT infrastructure. Contracts like this are common across various agencies to ensure the operational continuity of essential government functions. Benchmarks for similar contracts would typically consider the size of the user base supported, the complexity of the IT environment, and the scope of facilities management required.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded through full and open competition, it is unlikely to have significant direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless specified in the contract's statement of work or performance requirements. The primary focus appears to be on a large, established prime contractor capable of handling comprehensive IT and facilities support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration team within the Department of Commerce, specifically the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Performance metrics and service level agreements outlined in the contract would be key to monitoring accountability. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Support Services
Facilities Management Contracts
Help Desk Services
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Labor Hour Pricing
Long Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $28.3 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC. HELP DESK SUPPORT FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND END USER SUPPORT CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC.

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 $28.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-02-18. End: 2009-06-30.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT help desk and facilities management support at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office prior to this contract?

Analyzing historical spending for similar services at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) prior to February 2003 would provide crucial context for the $28.3 million award. Without specific prior contract data, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. However, the duration of this contract (over 6 years) suggests a long-term commitment to these services. Agencies often consolidate support functions over time, which could lead to larger contract awards like this one. Understanding previous spending would help evaluate if the current investment is justified by increased needs, improved service delivery, or simply inflation and contract consolidation.

How does the awarded price per year compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT help desk and facilities management services?

The contract value of $28.3 million over approximately 6.4 years equates to an average annual cost of roughly $4.4 million. To benchmark this against industry standards, we would need to compare it with contracts supporting a similar number of users, complexity of IT infrastructure, and scope of facilities management. Factors like geographic location (Virginia), specific service level agreements (SLAs), and the mix of IT support versus facilities management are critical. Generally, IT help desk services can range significantly in cost depending on the support model (e.g., tiered support, 24/7 availability). Facilities management costs are tied to the square footage managed and the types of services provided (e.g., maintenance, security, janitorial). Without detailed scope and SLA comparisons, a precise benchmark is difficult, but the annual average appears substantial, necessitating close performance monitoring.

What specific performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) are included in the contract to ensure quality and efficiency?

The provided data does not detail the specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract. However, for a contract of this nature and value, robust SLAs are essential. These typically include metrics such as response times for IT issues, resolution rates, system uptime percentages, user satisfaction scores, and facility maintenance response and completion times. Effective oversight would involve regular reviews of Amentum National Security Programs' performance against these agreed-upon metrics. Failure to meet SLAs could trigger contractual remedies, such as service credits or termination clauses, ensuring accountability and incentivizing high-quality service delivery for the USPTO.

What is Amentum National Security Programs, Inc.'s track record with similar government contracts, particularly in IT support and facilities management?

Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. (and its predecessors/related entities) has a significant history of performing large-scale government contracts, often in complex environments. While specific details on their track record for *this exact type* of combined IT help desk and facilities management support for the USPTO are not in the provided snippet, their general profile suggests experience in areas like base operations support, IT services, and logistics for defense and civilian agencies. Evaluating their past performance on similar contracts would involve reviewing past performance questionnaires, CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) reports, and any documented issues or commendations. A strong track record in managing large, multi-faceted service contracts would be a positive indicator for this award.

Were there any significant challenges or disputes during the performance of this contract between 2003 and 2009?

The provided data covers the award and period of performance (February 18, 2003, to June 30, 2009) but does not include information on challenges or disputes that may have arisen during its execution. To determine if there were significant issues, one would need to consult contract administration records, CPARS reports, or any publicly available litigation or dispute resolution dockets related to this specific contract (Contract Number: DO). Such information is crucial for a complete understanding of the contract's lifecycle and the contractor's performance beyond the initial award and stated end date.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM (UEI: 153561212)

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 900, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 11

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $179,140,959

Exercised Options: $179,140,959

Current Obligation: $28,319,749

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 50PAPT201025

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline