USDA Forest Service awards $13.2M for Web Information Delivery to Innovative Solutions Group, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,202,885 ($13.2M)

Contractor: Innovative Solutions Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2007-09-11

End Date: 2011-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,541 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: E-GOV - TASK ORDER 6 - WEB INFORMATION DELIVERY

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $13.2 million to INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC. for work described as: E-GOV - TASK ORDER 6 - WEB INFORMATION DELIVERY Key points: 1. Contract awarded for web information delivery services. 2. Innovative Solutions Group, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Spending spans over 4 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. The contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.2M over 4 years averages $3.3M annually. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts, assessing value is difficult. The 'Other Computer Related Services' category is broad.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This appears to be a sole-source award, which limits price discovery and competition. The justification for sole-source is not provided, raising questions about whether other capable vendors were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers if competition is not leveraged effectively.

Public Impact

Ensures continued web information delivery for the Forest Service. Supports a specific vendor's business operations. Potential for taxpayer funds to be used less efficiently due to lack of competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Lack of justification for sole-source award.
Long contract duration without clear performance benchmarks.

Positive Signals

Addresses a stated need for web information delivery.
Contract awarded to a single entity for a defined period.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly 'Other Computer Related Services', is vast. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal IT spending. Benchmarks for similar web information delivery contracts are difficult to ascertain without more specific service details.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The award was made to a single entity.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve contract performance reviews and financial audits by the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers. The lack of competitive bidding may reduce inherent oversight pressure on pricing.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing
Limited transparency on justification
Unclear performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $13.2 million to INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC.. E-GOV - TASK ORDER 6 - WEB INFORMATION DELIVERY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-11. End: 2011-11-30.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were any market research efforts conducted to identify potential competitors?

The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are awarded when only one vendor possesses the unique capability or proprietary technology required. Agencies are expected to conduct market research to confirm the lack of competition and document this justification thoroughly.

How was the 'firm fixed price' determined for this contract, and what mechanisms were in place to ensure fair and reasonable pricing without competitive bidding?

For sole-source contracts, the 'firm fixed price' is often based on historical pricing, cost proposals from the vendor, or independent government cost estimates. Without competitive proposals, the government relies heavily on negotiation and cost analysis to ensure the price is fair and reasonable, which can be more challenging.

What specific web information delivery services were provided under this contract, and how was their effectiveness measured to justify the $13.2M expenditure?

The data identifies the contract as 'Web Information Delivery' under NAICS 541519, but lacks specifics on the services rendered. Effectiveness would typically be measured through performance metrics outlined in the contract, such as uptime, user satisfaction, or data accuracy. The absence of these details makes it hard to assess the value for money.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Contractor Details

Address: 12001 MARKET ST #405, RESTON, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,202,885

Exercised Options: $13,202,885

Current Obligation: $13,202,885

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AG7604C070025

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline