Commerce awarded $23.8M for IT support, with Amentum National Security Programs Inc. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,790,760 ($23.8M)

Contractor: Amentum National Security Programs, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2003-02-18

End Date: 2010-01-31

Contract Duration: 2,539 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: DESKTOP FIELD 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 $23.8 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC for work described as: DESKTOP FIELD SUPPORT FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND END USER SUPPORT CONTRACT. Key points: 1. The contract value of $23.8 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in IT infrastructure support. 2. Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. has been awarded this contract, indicating their capability in providing specialized IT services. 3. The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', suggesting a robust bidding process that likely fostered competitive pricing. 4. The duration of the contract, spanning from 2003 to 2010, indicates a long-term need for these services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541513 points to Computer Facilities Management Services, a critical area for government operations. 6. The contract type 'Labor Hours' implies payment based on the time and effort expended by personnel, requiring careful monitoring of resource allocation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.8 million over approximately seven years (February 2003 to January 2010) averages to about $3.4 million per year. This figure needs to be benchmarked against similar IT field support contracts awarded by the Department of Commerce or other federal agencies to fully assess value for money. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but the competitive award process provides a positive signal.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition', indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically involves a formal solicitation process, such as a Request for Proposal (RFP), and a thorough evaluation of submitted proposals. The fact that it was fully competed suggests a healthy level of market interest and provides a strong basis for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that the government receives the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) benefits from enhanced IT infrastructure and end-user support, ensuring operational continuity. Federal employees within the USPTO will receive reliable technical assistance for their desktop and facility management needs. The contract supports IT services primarily within Virginia, where the USPTO has significant operations. The contract likely supports a workforce of IT professionals employed by Amentum National Security Programs, Inc., contributing to employment in the IT services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Labor Hours' contract type can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored for efficiency.
Long-term contracts, while providing stability, may not always reflect the most current market pricing if not re-competed or adjusted.
Reliance on a single contractor for an extended period could potentially reduce future competitive pressures if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through 'Full and Open Competition', indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract duration suggests a stable and predictable IT support environment for the agency.
The specific NAICS code indicates a focus on specialized IT facilities management, aligning with agency needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically Computer Facilities Management Services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. Contracts like this are crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of government functions, supporting everything from administrative tasks to mission-critical systems. Benchmarking this contract's value against other similar IT support services procured by federal agencies would provide further context on its market competitiveness.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the contract. However, without explicit subcontracting plans or data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) through its contracting officers and program managers. Performance reviews, regular reporting requirements, and adherence to the 'Labor Hours' billing structure would be key accountability measures. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, where basic contract information is publicly available. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the agency's IG office and any specific audits or investigations initiated.

Related Government Programs

IT Infrastructure Support Services
Computer Facilities Management
End User Support Contracts
Federal IT Services Procurement
Department of Commerce IT Spending

Risk Flags

Labor Hours Contract Type Risk
Long-Term Contract Stability
Potential for Cost Overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $23.8 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC. DESKTOP FIELD 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 $23.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-02-18. End: 2010-01-31.

What was the contractor's track record prior to and during this contract award?

Information regarding Amentum National Security Programs, Inc.'s specific track record prior to and during the award of this $23.8 million contract (2003-2010) is not detailed in the provided data. Generally, federal agencies assess a contractor's past performance as a key factor in the 'Full and Open Competition' evaluation process. This assessment typically includes reviewing past contract performance, compliance with requirements, and overall reliability. For a comprehensive understanding, one would need to consult the agency's source selection decision documents or performance evaluation reports, if publicly accessible, or review the contractor's broader federal contracting history.

How does the annual spending on this contract compare to similar IT support contracts within the Department of Commerce?

The annual spending for this contract averaged approximately $3.4 million ($23.8 million / 7 years). To compare this to similar IT support contracts within the Department of Commerce, one would need to access a broader dataset of federal procurements. This would involve filtering for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541513) and service descriptions (e.g., IT facilities management, end-user support) awarded by the Department of Commerce during the same period (2003-2010). Analyzing the average annual value, contract duration, and competition level of those comparable contracts would provide a benchmark to assess whether this specific contract represented typical, high, or low spending for its category.

What were the primary risks identified for this contract, and how were they mitigated?

Specific risks identified for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, common risks associated with 'Labor Hours' IT support contracts include potential for cost overruns due to inefficient labor utilization, scope creep, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management, clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and strong oversight from the contracting officer's representative (COR). The 'Full and Open Competition' award process itself can mitigate risks related to contractor capability and price by ensuring a competitive selection. Further insight would require reviewing the contract's performance work statement (PWS) and any associated risk management plans.

How effective was the IT support provided under this contract in meeting the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's operational needs?

The effectiveness of the IT support provided under this contract is not directly quantifiable from the given data. Effectiveness would typically be measured through metrics such as system uptime, help desk response times, user satisfaction surveys, and the successful implementation of IT projects. The renewal or continuation of such a long-term contract (2003-2010) suggests a degree of satisfaction with the services provided by Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. However, a definitive assessment of effectiveness would require access to USPTO's internal performance reports, user feedback, and potentially audits conducted during the contract period.

What were the historical spending patterns for desktop field support at the USPTO before this contract?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for desktop field support at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) prior to the award of this contract in February 2003. To analyze historical spending, one would need to access procurement data for previous contracts covering similar services at the USPTO. This analysis would involve identifying earlier contracts, their values, durations, and the nature of the services provided. Understanding these historical trends is crucial for contextualizing the $23.8 million awarded for this specific contract and identifying any significant shifts in spending or service delivery approaches.

What is the typical profit margin for Computer Facilities Management Services (NAICS 541513) in the federal sector?

The typical profit margin for Computer Facilities Management Services (NAICS 541513) in the federal sector can vary significantly based on contract specifics, competition level, and the contractor's overhead structure. While exact figures are proprietary, industry analyses often suggest that profit margins for IT services contracts can range from 5% to 15% or higher for specialized services. The 'Labor Hours' contract type, used here, generally allows for profit on labor costs. A 'Full and Open Competition' award, as in this case, tends to exert downward pressure on prices, potentially impacting profit margins. Without detailed financial data from the contractor or specific benchmarking studies, it's challenging to pinpoint the exact profit margin for this particular contract.

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: 11

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $172,999,850

Exercised Options: $172,999,850

Current Obligation: $23,790,760

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 50PAPT201025

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline