Education Department awards $1.18M for middleware technical services to PPS Infotech LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,184,755 ($1.2M)

Contractor: PPS Infotech LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2019-09-13

End Date: 2022-09-23

Contract Duration: 1,106 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE SCOPE IS FOR A FULL RANGE OF TECHNICAL&PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUING OPERATION OF AN INTEGRATED SET OF MIDDLEWARE FUNCTIONS AND SUPPORTING RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO FSA APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENTERPRISE SERVICE BUS (ESB).

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20202

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $1.2 million to PPS INFOTECH LLC for work described as: THE SCOPE IS FOR A FULL RANGE OF TECHNICAL&PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUING OPERATION OF AN INTEGRATED SET OF MIDDLEWARE FUNCTIONS AND SUPPORTING RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO FSA APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENTERPRISE SERVICE BUS (ESB). Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical and project management support for enterprise middleware functions. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, indicating a broad market approach. 3. The contract duration of 1106 days suggests a need for sustained support. 4. The award was a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger contract vehicle. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to specialized computer-related services. 6. The contract was awarded as Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $1.18 million over three years for enterprise middleware support appears reasonable given the scope of technical and project management services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT infrastructure support suggests that this pricing is within expected ranges for specialized services. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency, although it may limit flexibility if requirements change significantly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that the Department of Education sought bids from all responsible sources. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a competitive environment for these specialized IT services. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price and a higher quality of service than a sole-source or limited competition award would have.

Public Impact

Federal employees and applications within the Department of Education benefit from the stable operation of middleware functions. Ensures the continuity of critical IT infrastructure supporting agency operations. The services delivered are essential for the seamless integration and communication between various departmental applications. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the Department of Education is headquartered.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is not adequately transferred.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical middleware functions could pose a risk if the vendor experiences financial instability or performance issues.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure incentivizes contractor efficiency.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The contract duration indicates a stable, long-term need being met.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The market for middleware and enterprise service bus (ESB) support is specialized, often dominated by firms with deep technical expertise in integration and network infrastructure. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies to maintain and modernize their IT systems, ensuring interoperability and efficiency across various applications.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this specific award is likely minimal unless PPS Infotech LLC engages them as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting plans and their potential benefit to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Education's contracting office is responsible for oversight of this contract. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, it likely adheres to established procurement regulations and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising from performance or financial management.

Related Government Programs

Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) Support
Middleware Integration Services
IT Infrastructure Management
Technical Project Management
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on critical infrastructure support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $1.2 million to PPS INFOTECH LLC. THE SCOPE IS FOR A FULL RANGE OF TECHNICAL&PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUING OPERATION OF AN INTEGRATED SET OF MIDDLEWARE FUNCTIONS AND SUPPORTING RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO FSA APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENTERPRISE SERVICE BUS (ESB).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PPS INFOTECH LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-13. End: 2022-09-23.

What is the track record of PPS Infotech LLC in delivering similar middleware and technical project management services to federal agencies?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that PPS Infotech LLC has been awarded contracts for various IT services, including technical support and project management. While specific details on their performance for middleware functions on past contracts would require deeper investigation into past performance reviews and contract close-out reports, their presence as a bidder and awardee in competitive IT solicitations suggests a level of capability. To fully assess their track record, one would examine past performance questionnaires, any debriefings provided to unsuccessful bidders, and any documented instances of outstanding performance or deficiencies on previous federal engagements. This would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in this specialized domain.

How does the awarded amount of $1.18 million compare to the estimated value or budget for similar middleware support contracts within the Department of Education or other federal agencies?

The awarded amount of approximately $1.18 million for three years of middleware technical and project management services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized IT support within a federal agency. Benchmarking against similar contracts for enterprise IT infrastructure, integration services, and ongoing technical support reveals that costs can vary significantly based on scope, duration, and complexity. However, for a contract involving critical middleware functions and enterprise service bus operations, this figure suggests a moderate investment. Without access to the agency's specific budget allocation or detailed scope of work, a precise comparison is challenging. Nevertheless, the competitive bidding process likely ensured that the price achieved was market-driven and represented good value for the services rendered.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on PPS Infotech LLC for these critical middleware functions, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly dependent on PPS Infotech's specialized knowledge, making transitions difficult. Performance failures or security breaches related to the middleware could disrupt critical agency operations. To mitigate these risks, the Department of Education likely employs several strategies. These include clearly defined performance standards and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) within the contract, regular performance reviews, and potentially requiring knowledge transfer and documentation from the contractor. Furthermore, the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently. The existence of multiple bidders in the initial competition also suggests that alternative vendors could be considered if performance issues arise, though switching critical infrastructure support can be complex and costly.

How effective has the Department of Education been in managing similar IT infrastructure support contracts in the past, and what lessons learned might apply here?

Assessing the overall effectiveness of the Department of Education's management of similar IT contracts requires a broad review of their procurement history and performance metrics. Historically, federal agencies face challenges in managing complex IT contracts, including scope creep, budget overruns, and ensuring adequate technical oversight. Lessons learned often emphasize the importance of robust contract management, clear communication channels, proactive risk management, and strong technical expertise within the government team overseeing the contract. For this specific middleware contract, effective management would involve diligent monitoring of performance against SLAs, ensuring timely and accurate reporting from the contractor, and maintaining open communication to address any emerging issues promptly. The agency's experience with previous IT support contracts would inform their approach to overseeing PPS Infotech LLC.

What has been the historical spending trend for middleware and enterprise service bus support within the Department of Education over the last five years?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for middleware and ESB support within the Department of Education over the last five years would provide valuable context for this $1.18 million award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. However, trends in federal IT spending often show a move towards cloud-based solutions and modernization efforts, which can impact the need for traditional middleware support. Agencies may be consolidating systems or migrating to newer architectures. Understanding this trend would help determine if this contract is part of a sustained effort, a new initiative, or a response to evolving technological needs. A consistent or increasing spend might indicate a growing reliance on these services, while a decrease could signal a shift in strategy.

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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 91003119R0003

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9201 CORPORATE BLVD, SUITE 400, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,197,615

Exercised Options: $1,184,755

Current Obligation: $1,184,755

Actual Outlays: $1,184,755

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 91003119D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline