HHS FDA Awards $5.6M BPA Call to Aurotech LLC for Dimes Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,601,327 ($5.6M)

Contractor: Aurotech LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-05-08

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 875 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: DEVSECOPS, INNOVATION, MODERNIZATION, AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DIMES)

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.6 million to AUROTECH LLC for work described as: DEVSECOPS, INNOVATION, MODERNIZATION, AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DIMES) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on DevSecOps, innovation, modernization, and engineering services. 2. AUROTECH LLC is the awardee under a full and open competition. 3. The contract has a duration of 875 days, ending September 30, 2026. 4. This award falls under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $5.6M for a BPA Call appears reasonable for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for DevSecOps and engineering support would provide a more precise assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all eligible vendors to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving a fair price for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Ensures critical IT infrastructure modernization for the FDA. Supports innovation in health and human services technology. Enhances engineering capabilities for federal health agencies. Promotes cybersecurity through DevSecOps practices.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in modernization projects.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical services.
Ensuring continuous innovation beyond initial contract scope.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Focus on critical areas like DevSecOps and modernization.
Long-term engagement supports sustained development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on specialized areas like DevSecOps and engineering. Spending benchmarks for similar IT modernization and engineering contracts within federal health agencies can vary significantly based on complexity and scope.

Small Business Impact

While this BPA Call was awarded to AUROTECH LLC, it's important to understand if any subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The BPA Call mechanism allows for task orders to be issued against a pre-competed agreement, providing a framework for oversight. The Food and Drug Administration's contracting officers will monitor performance and adherence to the contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Food and Drug Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Scope definition for innovation is critical.
Ensuring adequate small business participation.
Measuring ROI for modernization efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.6 million to AUROTECH LLC. DEVSECOPS, INNOVATION, MODERNIZATION, AND ENGINEERING SERVICES (DIMES)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AUROTECH LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-08. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific metrics will be used to measure the success of DevSecOps implementation and modernization efforts?

Success metrics for DevSecOps and modernization typically include reduced deployment times, increased code quality, improved system uptime, enhanced security posture through automated vulnerability scanning, and faster incident response times. Specific KPIs should be defined in the task orders under this BPA Call to ensure clear objectives and measurable outcomes for the FDA.

How will the FDA ensure that the innovation aspect of the contract leads to tangible advancements rather than just incremental improvements?

The FDA can ensure tangible advancements by clearly defining innovation goals in task orders, potentially including specific R&D objectives or pilot programs for emerging technologies. Regular reviews with AUROTECH LLC, focusing on forward-looking solutions and competitive analysis, will be crucial. Performance incentives tied to achieving breakthrough innovations, rather than just standard service delivery, can also drive desired outcomes.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the FDA's long-term IT strategy and vendor landscape?

This contract could significantly impact the FDA's IT strategy by embedding DevSecOps and modernization principles into its operations, potentially setting a new standard for future procurements. It may also influence the vendor landscape by highlighting AUROTECH LLC's capabilities in these specialized areas, potentially leading to further opportunities. However, over-reliance on a single vendor could also limit future flexibility if not managed carefully.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8701 GEORGIA AVE, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,336,363

Exercised Options: $6,321,135

Current Obligation: $5,601,327

Actual Outlays: $4,870,338

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75F40119A10009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline