DOT Awards $33.1M for Prism/Delphi Help Desk Support to Ascent Consulting CO

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,106,200 ($33.1M)

Contractor: Ascent Consulting CO

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-09-20

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,806 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: PRISM/DELPHI HELP DESK SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20152

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $33.1 million to ASCENT CONSULTING CO for work described as: PRISM/DELPHI HELP DESK SUPPORT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the 5-year duration and scope of services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a long contract duration and time-and-materials pricing. 4. Performance context is for essential IT help desk support for the FAA. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically computer related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $33.1 million over approximately five years for IT help desk support seems reasonable. However, without specific benchmarks for similar FAA help desk contracts or detailed service level agreements, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The time-and-materials pricing structure introduces some risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently, but it can also provide flexibility for evolving support needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which should theoretically lead to more favorable pricing and better service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down costs through competitive pressure and ensuring the government receives the best value.

Public Impact

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) benefits from this contract through the provision of essential IT help desk support. Services delivered include technical assistance and support for users of the PRISM/DELPHI systems. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contractor is located and likely where support is rendered. Workforce implications include the employment of IT support specialists by ASCENT CONSULTING CO.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The long contract duration (over 5 years) may reduce flexibility to adapt to new technologies or service providers.
Lack of specific competition details (number of bidders) limits a deeper analysis of price discovery.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Contract supports critical IT help desk functions for the FAA.
Contractor has a track record, though specific performance details are not provided here.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519). This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of IT support and consulting. The market for IT help desk and support services is highly competitive, with numerous large and small businesses offering these capabilities. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to maintain complex IT infrastructures across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor, ASCENT CONSULTING CO., is not explicitly identified as a small business, the contract type does not appear to mandate small business subcontracting goals. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any small business subcontracting opportunities exist within the performance of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contracting officer and program officials. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's performance work statement and service level agreements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IT Help Desk Services
Computer Related Services
Federal Aviation Administration IT Support
Department of Transportation IT Contracts
PRISM System Support
DELPHI System Support

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Long Contract Duration
Potential for Cost Overruns
Limited Specific Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $33.1 million to ASCENT CONSULTING CO. PRISM/DELPHI HELP DESK SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASCENT CONSULTING CO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Aviation Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-20. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the historical spending trend for PRISM/DELPHI help desk support at the FAA?

Analyzing historical spending for PRISM/DELPHI help desk support at the FAA requires accessing detailed contract data over multiple fiscal years. Without direct access to such historical data, it's difficult to provide a precise trend. However, IT support needs are generally consistent, and spending often correlates with system complexity, user base size, and the duration of support contracts. If this $33.1M contract is a new award or a renewal, comparing its value to previous support contracts for these systems would reveal if spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. Factors like contract scope changes, inflation, and competition levels can influence these trends. A significant increase might warrant scrutiny regarding necessity and efficiency, while a decrease could indicate successful cost-saving measures or reduced service scope.

How does the per-hour labor rate for ASCENT CONSULTING CO. compare to market rates for similar IT support services?

To compare ASCENT CONSULTING CO.'s per-hour labor rates to market benchmarks, we would need to know the specific labor categories and their associated rates within this Time and Materials contract. Market data from sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for IT support roles in the relevant geographic area (Virginia) and industry surveys from IT consulting firms would be necessary. Additionally, comparing these rates to other federal IT support contracts awarded through full and open competition can provide valuable context. If ASCENT's rates are significantly higher than BLS averages or comparable federal contracts, it could indicate a potential issue with value for money, assuming similar skill levels and service scopes. Conversely, rates at or below market averages would suggest competitive pricing.

What are the specific performance metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not include the specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These are typically detailed within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) attached to the contract award. Key metrics for IT help desk support often include response times for ticket submission, resolution times for different priority levels of issues, user satisfaction ratings, and system uptime. The effectiveness of the contract and the value delivered are heavily dependent on these SLAs. Without them, it's challenging to objectively assess whether ASCENT CONSULTING CO. is meeting the FAA's performance expectations and delivering the required level of service efficiently.

What is ASCENT CONSULTING CO.'s past performance record with the federal government, particularly for IT support contracts?

Assessing ASCENT CONSULTING CO.'s past performance record requires accessing their CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) data or other performance evaluations. This data would provide insights into their reliability, quality of service, cost control, and adherence to schedules on previous federal contracts. A strong past performance record, especially in similar IT support roles for agencies like the FAA or DOT, would increase confidence in their ability to successfully execute this current contract. Conversely, a history of poor performance, unresolved issues, or contract disputes could be a significant risk indicator, suggesting potential challenges in meeting the requirements of this $33.1 million award.

Are there any known risks or challenges associated with the PRISM or DELPHI systems that could impact support needs?

Information regarding specific risks or challenges associated with the PRISM or DELPHI systems is not included in the provided contract data. These systems are likely critical for FAA operations, and their complexity, age, or integration with other platforms could present unique support demands. Potential impacts could include a higher volume of support requests, the need for specialized technical expertise, or challenges in troubleshooting complex issues. Understanding these system-specific factors is crucial for evaluating the adequacy of the contract's scope, the contractor's qualifications, and the overall budget. If these systems are known to be legacy or prone to issues, the support contract's value and duration should reflect that reality.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 27228 BRIDLE PL, CHANTILLY, VA, 20152

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,106,790

Exercised Options: $33,106,200

Current Obligation: $33,106,200

Actual Outlays: $28,559,157

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 693KA921D00009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline