National Archives awards $29.6M IT support contract to Yahya Technologies LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,566,790 ($29.6M)

Contractor: Yahya Technologies LLC

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2019-12-01

End Date: 2024-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS IS A FIRM FIXED PRICE TASK ORDER FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.

Place of Performance

Location: ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20701

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $29.6 million to YAHYA TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: THIS IS A FIRM FIXED PRICE TASK ORDER FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price task order, providing cost certainty for the agency. 3. IT support services are critical for the National Archives' mission of preserving records. 4. The contract duration of 1826 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 5. The awardee, Yahya Technologies LLC, is a relatively small entity based on the single award. 6. The contract is for computer systems design services, a key area within IT. 7. The contract was awarded by the National Archives and Records Administration itself. 8. The contract is located in Maryland, indicating a specific geographic focus for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $29.6 million over five years for IT support services requires benchmarking against similar contracts for computer systems design. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns, but the overall pricing efficiency depends on the scope and quality of services delivered. Further analysis would involve comparing per-hour rates or project-based costs for similar IT support functions within federal agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data indicates 16 bids were received, suggesting a robust level of competition for this IT support services requirement. A higher number of bids generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government, as contractors compete to win the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition indicates that taxpayers likely benefited from a more competitive pricing environment, as multiple companies vied to secure this significant contract. This process helps ensure that federal funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The National Archives and Records Administration benefits from essential IT support services, ensuring the continuity and efficiency of its operations. Citizens and researchers gain indirect benefits through the reliable preservation and accessibility of historical records, facilitated by robust IT infrastructure. The contract supports IT professionals in Maryland, contributing to the local technology workforce. The services provided are crucial for maintaining the digital infrastructure that underpins the agency's vast archival collections.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and difficult to transition.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose operational risks.
Ensuring ongoing cost-effectiveness of the firm-fixed-price model over the full contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for these services.
Multiple bids received (16) point to significant contractor interest and competition.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. This contract represents a portion of the National Archives' overall IT spending, aimed at ensuring the operational integrity of its systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT support contracts across various federal agencies for similar scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a specific set-aside requirement. However, the prime contractor, Yahya Technologies LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their business strategy, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Archives and Records Administration's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Information Technology Support
National Archives IT Modernization
Government IT Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Potential for performance deficiencies
Risk of cost overruns if scope is not well-defined
Vendor lock-in concerns
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Dependence on contractor expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $29.6 million to YAHYA TECHNOLOGIES LLC. THIS IS A FIRM FIXED PRICE TASK ORDER FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YAHYA TECHNOLOGIES LLC.

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 $29.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-12-01. End: 2024-11-30.

What is the track record of Yahya Technologies LLC in performing federal IT support contracts?

Information regarding Yahya Technologies LLC's specific track record in performing federal IT support contracts is limited based solely on the provided data. The data indicates this is a single award task order valued at approximately $29.6 million. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, contract history with various agencies, and any documented successes or failures on similar projects. A review of federal procurement databases and past performance information repositories would be necessary to determine their experience level, client satisfaction, and ability to deliver complex IT services effectively. Without this additional context, it's challenging to gauge their reliability and expertise beyond the fact that they were selected in a competitive process for this specific requirement.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by the National Archives or other federal agencies?

The $29.6 million value for a five-year IT support services contract is substantial, but its comparability depends heavily on the scope and specific services rendered. For the National Archives, this could represent a significant portion of their IT budget, especially if it covers core systems design and support. When compared to other federal agencies, IT support contracts can range widely. Smaller agencies or those with less complex IT needs might award contracts in the single-digit millions, while larger departments like Defense or Homeland Security could have IT support contracts in the hundreds of millions or even billions. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify contracts with similar service descriptions (e.g., computer systems design, network support, cybersecurity) and similar contract types (firm-fixed-price task orders) awarded over comparable timeframes. The number of bids (16) suggests it was a competitive offering, which can influence pricing relative to sole-source or limited-competition awards.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the National Archives?

The primary risks associated with this contract for the National Archives include potential performance issues if Yahya Technologies LLC fails to deliver the required IT support services adequately. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, there's a risk that the contractor might cut corners to maintain profitability, potentially impacting service quality. Another risk is vendor lock-in; if the contractor develops highly specialized knowledge or proprietary systems integral to the Archives' operations, transitioning to a new vendor in the future could be complex and costly. Operational continuity is also a risk; any disruption in IT services could significantly hamper the Archives' ability to preserve and provide access to records. Finally, ensuring the long-term cost-effectiveness of the contract over its full duration, despite the fixed price, requires ongoing monitoring of service delivery and market rates.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this IT support service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. For IT support services, FFP provides cost certainty to the National Archives, as the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This encourages the contractor to manage resources efficiently and control costs. However, the effectiveness hinges on the clarity of the Performance Work Statement (PWS). If the PWS is ambiguous or incomplete, the contractor may deliver minimal required services, or scope creep could lead to change orders that negate the FFP benefits. To maximize value, the Archives must have robust oversight to ensure the contractor meets all performance standards and delivers high-quality services as defined in the PWS. Without strong performance monitoring, the FFP structure alone doesn't guarantee optimal value.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support services at the National Archives and Records Administration?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT support services at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is crucial for contextualizing this $29.6 million award. NARA, like many federal agencies, relies heavily on IT for its core mission of managing and preserving national records. Spending in this area typically fluctuates based on modernization initiatives, cybersecurity needs, and the lifecycle of existing systems. Historically, agencies often award multiple contracts for various IT functions, including systems design, maintenance, cybersecurity, and user support. Understanding NARA's previous IT budgets, the number and value of IT contracts awarded over the past 5-10 years, and the types of services procured would reveal trends. For instance, a recent surge in spending might indicate a major system overhaul or a response to increased cyber threats, while consistent spending could point to routine operational support needs. This specific contract's value and duration should be viewed against that historical backdrop to assess if it represents a typical investment or a significant shift in NARA's IT strategy.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 16

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10010 JUNCTION DR STE 201S, ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MD, 20701

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,391,065

Exercised Options: $37,577,943

Current Obligation: $29,566,790

Actual Outlays: $29,442,946

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F314CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline