DOE awards $13.8M for data card services, with a 399-day duration and firm fixed price

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,842 ($13.8K)

Contractor: Panamerica Computers, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2024-07-26

End Date: 2025-08-29

Contract Duration: 399 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTRUST DATACARD ANNUAL RENEWAL

Place of Performance

Location: LURAY, PAGE County, VIRGINIA, 22835

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $13,841.61 to PANAMERICA COMPUTERS, INC. for work described as: ENTRUST DATACARD ANNUAL RENEWAL Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm fixed price structure and the duration of the contract. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the firm fixed price contract type and the renewal nature of the service. 4. Performance context is a renewal for data card services, implying established needs and a known service provider. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services', a common area for federal IT support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.8 million for 399 days, averaging approximately $34,690 per day, seems within a reasonable range for specialized IT services like data card management. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support services suggests that this pricing is competitive, especially considering the firm fixed price nature which shifts risk to the contractor. The renewal aspect also implies that the initial pricing was deemed acceptable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This indicates that while the competition was open, there might have been specific reasons for excluding certain sources initially, but ultimately, the award was made through a broad competitive process. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation suggests a robust competition was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers, as multiple vendors are encouraged to bid, driving down prices.

Public Impact

The Department of Energy benefits from continued access to essential data card services, crucial for identity management and security. Services delivered include the renewal of data card systems, likely encompassing issuance, management, and potentially security features. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contract is managed and likely where services are utilized. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a service renewal rather than a new program requiring significant new personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for vendor lock-in if alternative solutions are not explored in future renewals.
  • Dependence on a single vendor for critical data card infrastructure could pose a risk if the vendor faces operational issues.

Positive Signals

  • Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
  • Renewal of an existing service suggests successful past performance and established operational efficiency.
  • Full and open competition, even with exclusions, indicates an effort to secure competitive pricing.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519), is a significant area of federal spending. This contract fits within the broader category of IT support and management, which includes services related to hardware, software, and data security. Comparable spending benchmarks in this category often show substantial investment in maintaining and securing IT infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration (sb: false). As this is a renewal for a specific IT service, it's unlikely to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses unless the primary contractor actively seeks them out. The focus appears to be on the specialized nature of the service rather than broad small business engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed price structure, requiring the contractor to deliver services as specified. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where details of the award are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

  • Federal Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)
  • IT Infrastructure Support Services
  • Cybersecurity Services
  • Department of Energy IT Modernization Efforts

Risk Flags

  • Potential for vendor lock-in
  • Reliance on a single provider for critical infrastructure

Tags

it-services, department-of-energy, virginia, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition, it-support, data-management, renewal-contract, computer-related-services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $13,841.61 to PANAMERICA COMPUTERS, INC.. ENTRUST DATACARD ANNUAL RENEWAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PANAMERICA COMPUTERS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13,841.61.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-26. End: 2025-08-29.

What is the historical spending trend for data card services within the Department of Energy?

Analyzing historical spending on data card services within the Department of Energy requires access to detailed procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract represents a $13.8 million award for a 399-day period, understanding the trend would involve identifying all contracts related to data card issuance, management, and security. Factors such as changes in technology, evolving security requirements, and shifts in agency-wide IT strategies can influence spending patterns. Without a comprehensive historical dataset, it's difficult to ascertain if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these services. However, the renewal nature suggests a consistent need and budget allocation for this function.

How does the per-day cost of this contract compare to similar IT service contracts awarded by the DOE?

The daily cost for this ENTRUST DATACARD ANNUAL RENEWAL contract is approximately $34,690 ($13,841,610 / 399 days). To compare this to similar IT service contracts, one would need to identify contracts within the Department of Energy (DOE) that fall under similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541519 - Other Computer Related Services) or provide comparable services like identity management, credentialing, or IT support. Benchmarking would involve looking at the daily or hourly rates, contract type (firm fixed price vs. cost-plus), and the specific deliverables. Given that this is a firm fixed price contract for a specialized service, and it's a renewal, the daily rate is likely competitive within its niche. However, a definitive comparison requires access to a broader dataset of comparable DOE IT contracts.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single vendor for data card services, as potentially indicated by this renewal?

Relying on a single vendor for critical data card services presents several risks. Firstly, there's the risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes heavily dependent on the incumbent's technology, processes, and pricing, making it difficult and costly to switch providers in the future. Secondly, operational disruptions at the vendor's end, such as financial instability, management changes, or technical failures, could directly impact the government's ability to issue, manage, or validate credentials, potentially compromising security. Thirdly, a lack of ongoing competition can lead to complacency from the vendor, potentially resulting in less innovation or less favorable pricing over time compared to a more competitive market. The renewal nature of this contract, while indicating satisfaction, also highlights the potential for these risks to persist if not actively managed.

What is the track record of PANAMERICA COMPUTERS, INC. in fulfilling federal contracts, particularly for IT services?

PANAMERICA COMPUTERS, INC. has been awarded this contract, ENTRUST DATACARD ANNUAL RENEWAL, valued at $13.8 million. To assess their track record, a review of their past federal contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any reported issues or disputes would be necessary. Federal procurement databases often contain information on contract history, including agencies served, contract types, and values. A positive indicator is the renewal of this service, suggesting satisfactory performance. However, a comprehensive assessment would involve looking at the breadth of their federal contract experience, their performance ratings on previous contracts, and their history of delivering IT services, especially those related to data card management or similar security-focused solutions.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation impact the perceived value for taxpayers?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation suggests a nuanced approach to competition. While 'full and open' implies broad market solicitation, the 'exclusion of sources' indicates that certain potential bidders were not considered from the outset. The reasons for exclusion could range from specific technical requirements that only a few vendors could meet, to past performance issues, or even national security considerations. If the exclusions were justified and the remaining competition was robust, it could still yield good value for taxpayers. However, if the exclusions were overly restrictive or not well-documented, it might limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than a truly unrestricted full and open competition. The ultimate value depends on the number and competitiveness of the bidders who participated after the exclusions.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1386 BIG OAK RD, LURAY, VA, 22835

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,842

Exercised Options: $13,842

Current Obligation: $13,842

Actual Outlays: $13,842

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD02B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline

Start Date: 2024-07-26

Current End Date: 2025-08-29

Potential End Date: 2025-08-29 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-04-03

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