NARA awards $621M contract for Presidential Libraries visitor services system to ACME TECHNOLOGIES INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,210,269 ($6.2M)

Contractor: Acme Technologies Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2020-09-30

End Date: 2025-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NARA PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES VISITOR SERVICES SYSTEM O&M AND HOSTING

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $6.2 million to ACME TECHNOLOGIES INC. for work described as: NARA PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES VISITOR SERVICES SYSTEM O&M AND HOSTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. The contract duration is 5 years, suggesting a long-term need for these services. 3. Awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 4. The National Archives and Records Administration is the primary agency involved. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 511210 points to software publishers. 6. The contract is for Operations, Maintenance, and Hosting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total contract value of $621 million over five years for visitor services system O&M and hosting appears high. Without comparable contract data for similar systems or services within government or the private sector, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but does not inherently guarantee efficiency or optimal pricing, especially in the absence of competitive pressure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures, indicating it was likely awarded through a sole-source justification. The lack of competition means that potential alternative vendors and their pricing were not considered, which can lead to higher costs for the government. The absence of multiple bids prevents a clear understanding of market-driven pricing for these services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the lack of competitive bidding, as the government did not explore potentially more cost-effective solutions from other providers.

Public Impact

Citizens and researchers accessing historical documents and exhibits at Presidential Libraries will benefit from a functional and maintained visitor services system. The contract ensures the continuous operation and hosting of the digital infrastructure supporting these libraries. The geographic impact is nationwide, covering all Presidential Libraries managed by NARA. The contract supports the IT sector workforce involved in software maintenance, hosting, and support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
Sole-source award raises concerns about transparency and fairness in procurement.
High total contract value warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to the long-term nature of the contract.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Ensures continuity of essential visitor services and system operations.
Single vendor responsible for O&M and hosting simplifies management.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, specifically software publishers and hosting providers, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls under the category of IT operations and maintenance, which is crucial for maintaining government digital infrastructure. Benchmarking this spending against similar IT service contracts for large-scale system operations within other federal agencies or large private organizations would be necessary for a comprehensive value assessment.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not competed and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting goals. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, and there is no indication of opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Accountability measures would be defined by the contract terms and conditions, including performance metrics and reporting requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. The Inspector General of NARA would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Presidential Libraries Operations
NARA IT Infrastructure
Government Software Maintenance Contracts
Cloud Hosting Services for Government

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
High contract value
Lack of competition details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $6.2 million to ACME TECHNOLOGIES INC.. NARA PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARIES VISITOR SERVICES SYSTEM O&M AND HOSTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACME TECHNOLOGIES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2025-09-29.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), strongly suggesting a sole-source award. However, the specific justification (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need, lack of other sources) is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards require a formal justification document approved by the agency, outlining why competition was not feasible. Without this document, it's impossible to fully assess the necessity of bypassing the competitive bidding process. This lack of competition is a significant concern for ensuring fair pricing and exploring all available market solutions.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar IT operations and hosting contracts within the federal government?

The total contract value is $621,026,900 over five years, averaging approximately $124.2 million per year. Benchmarking this against similar federal IT operations and hosting contracts is challenging without specific details on the scope and complexity of services provided. However, for context, large-scale IT infrastructure management and hosting contracts for agencies like the Department of Defense or the General Services Administration can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The key factors for comparison would include the number of users supported, the criticality of the systems, the level of security required, and the specific services (e.g., cloud vs. on-premise hosting, level of maintenance). Given the sole-source nature, a direct cost comparison is difficult, but the annual figure warrants scrutiny against industry standards for comparable government IT services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These are critical components that define the expected performance standards for the contractor, ACME TECHNOLOGIES INC., in delivering Operations, Maintenance, and Hosting services for the NARA Presidential Libraries Visitor Services System. Typically, SLAs would cover aspects like system uptime, response times for maintenance requests, data security compliance, and disaster recovery capabilities. The absence of this information in the summary data makes it difficult to assess how NARA will measure the contractor's performance and ensure the quality and reliability of the services provided throughout the five-year contract duration.

What is ACME TECHNOLOGIES INC.'s track record with similar government contracts, particularly those involving large-scale IT operations and hosting?

Information regarding ACME TECHNOLOGIES INC.'s specific track record with similar government contracts, especially those involving large-scale IT operations and hosting, is not provided in the data summary. To assess their capability and reliability for this $621 million, five-year contract, a review of their past performance on federal contracts would be essential. This would include examining past performance evaluations, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their experience with systems of comparable complexity and criticality. Without this context, it is difficult to gauge their suitability and the potential risks associated with awarding such a significant contract on a sole-source basis.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude for critical IT services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude for critical IT services include: 1. **Lack of Cost Competition:** The government may pay a premium because there was no competitive pressure to drive down prices. 2. **Reduced Innovation:** Without multiple vendors vying for the contract, there may be less incentive for the incumbent to innovate or offer more efficient solutions. 3. **Vendor Lock-in:** The agency becomes heavily reliant on a single provider, making it difficult and costly to switch vendors in the future, even if performance is subpar. 4. **Potential for Complacency:** The contractor may become complacent knowing they are the sole provider, potentially leading to a decline in service quality or responsiveness. 5. **Limited Transparency:** The justification for the sole-source award itself may not be publicly scrutinized, reducing overall transparency in the procurement process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 88310320Q00115

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 ALMADEN BLVD STE 630, SAN JOSE, CA, 95113

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,210,269

Exercised Options: $6,210,269

Current Obligation: $6,210,269

Actual Outlays: $5,304,034

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline