Commerce's USPTO Spends $42.7M on Hardware Maintenance for Facilities Management and End-User Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $42,712,214 ($42.7M)
Contractor: Amentum National Security Programs, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2003-02-01
End Date: 2008-10-31
Contract Duration: 2,099 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 11
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: IT
Official Description: HARDWARE MAINTENANCE 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 $42.7 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC for work described as: HARDWARE MAINTENANCE FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND END USER SUPPORT CONTRACT. Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. covers essential IT infrastructure support. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is extensive (2099 months), raising questions about long-term value and adaptability. 4. The total award value of $42.7M over its term needs to be assessed against the scope of services provided.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award value of $42.7M over nearly 17 years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking this against similar long-term IT maintenance contracts for large federal facilities is crucial to determine if the pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery. However, the long duration of the contract might have limited the number of bidders willing to commit.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential IT support services. The long-term nature of the contract necessitates careful monitoring to ensure continued value for money.
Public Impact
Ensures continuity of operations for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's IT systems. Supports end-users with critical hardware maintenance, impacting daily productivity. The extended contract period could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed proactively. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding, but long-term price escalation is a risk.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Extended contract duration (2099 months)
- Lack of small business participation noted
- Potential for price escalation over the long term
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized
- Essential IT services provided
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Computer Facilities Management Services, a critical IT support sector. Spending benchmarks for similar long-term maintenance contracts in federal agencies can provide context for the $42.7M award.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not a direct participant in this contract (sb: false). Opportunities for small business subcontracting should be explored to foster broader economic participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The extensive duration of this contract warrants robust oversight to ensure performance standards are met and costs remain justified. Regular performance reviews and contract modifications, if necessary, are key.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Facilities Management Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Programs
Risk Flags
- Extended contract duration may lead to complacency and reduced innovation.
- Potential for price escalation over the long term without adequate controls.
- Lack of explicit small business participation could be a missed opportunity.
- Vendor lock-in risk due to the long-term commitment.
- Need for continuous monitoring to ensure services remain relevant and cost-effective.
Tags
computer-facilities-management-services, department-of-commerce, va, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $42.7 million to AMENTUM NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS, INC. HARDWARE MAINTENANCE 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 $42.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-02-01. End: 2008-10-31.
What is the specific scope of 'Hardware Maintenance' covered under this contract, and how does it align with the evolving technological needs of the USPTO?
The contract specifies 'Computer Facilities Management Services' and 'Hardware Maintenance'. A detailed breakdown of the hardware covered, including servers, workstations, networking equipment, and peripherals, is essential. Given the contract's long duration, it's crucial to assess if the maintenance provisions are flexible enough to adapt to technological advancements and potential hardware refreshes, ensuring the USPTO remains equipped with up-to-date and functional IT infrastructure.
How has the 'Full and Open Competition' process ensured competitive pricing over the contract's nearly 18-year lifespan, and what mechanisms are in place to prevent price creep?
While 'Full and Open Competition' is a strong starting point for price discovery, its effectiveness diminishes over such an extended period. Mechanisms like fixed-price components for certain services, regular price reviews tied to market indices, and clear performance metrics that influence payment are vital. The contract should include provisions for renegotiation or termination if pricing becomes uncompetitive or if market conditions significantly change.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of Amentum National Security Programs, Inc. in providing hardware maintenance and end-user support, and how are these K
Effective oversight requires clearly defined KPIs such as system uptime percentages, response times for hardware failures, resolution rates for end-user support tickets, and customer satisfaction scores. These KPIs should be regularly monitored and reported. Linking contractor performance against these metrics to potential award fees or penalties ensures accountability and incentivizes the contractor to maintain high service levels throughout the contract's long duration.
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, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $183,663,871
Exercised Options: $183,663,871
Current Obligation: $42,712,214
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 50PAPT201025
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-02-01
Current End Date: 2008-10-31
Potential End Date: 2008-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2009-10-01
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