DOE's $33.7M IT support contract awarded to Alliant Alliance, LLC, for OSTI services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $33,666,061 ($33.7M)
Contractor: Alliant Alliance, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2015-12-01
End Date: 2021-05-31
Contract Duration: 2,008 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::CT,CL::IGF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Place of Performance
Location: OAK RIDGE, ANDERSON County, TENNESSEE, 37831
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $33.7 million to ALLIANT ALLIANCE, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT,CL::IGF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in IT infrastructure and support for scientific and technical information. 2. The award to a single large business raises questions about small business participation and subcontracting opportunities. 3. Performance period spans over five years, indicating a need for sustained IT support. 4. The contract type (Labor Hours) suggests a flexible approach to service delivery, potentially adapting to evolving needs. 5. Geographic location in Tennessee may offer insights into regional IT workforce utilization.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $33.7 million over approximately five years for IT support services appears within a reasonable range for large-scale federal IT contracts. However, without specific benchmarks for 'Computer Systems Design Services' within the Department of Energy (DOE) or for the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) specifically, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The 'Labor Hours' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, but it also allows for flexibility. Further analysis would require comparing the per-hour rates and the scope of services to similar contracts within the government.
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 while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. The exclusion of sources, even if justified, could potentially limit the pool of qualified offerors and impact price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, despite potential source exclusions, aims to secure the best value for taxpayers. A moderate number of bidders suggests that while competition was present, there may be opportunities for even greater price reductions with a broader competitive landscape.
Public Impact
The Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) benefits from enhanced IT support, enabling efficient management and dissemination of scientific and technical information. Researchers, scientists, and the public gain improved access to critical research data and publications. The contract supports IT jobs, potentially within Tennessee, contributing to the regional economy. The contract ensures the continued operation and modernization of IT systems crucial for scientific information sharing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost creep due to 'Labor Hours' contract type if not closely monitored.
- Limited visibility into specific small business subcontracting goals and achievements.
- The exclusion of certain sources, even if justified, warrants scrutiny to ensure fair competition.
- Dependence on a single large contractor for critical IT functions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating an effort to find qualified offerors.
- The contract duration suggests a stable and reliable IT support solution for OSTI.
- Alliant Alliance, LLC, is a known entity in federal IT contracting, implying a degree of established capability.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector is a cornerstone of federal operations, with agencies like the Department of Energy (DOE) heavily reliant on robust information technology. This contract for Computer Systems Design Services falls within a broad category of IT support that includes system integration, IT consulting, and IT management. The federal government is a massive consumer of IT services, with spending often concentrated among large system integrators and IT service providers. Benchmarks for similar contracts would typically look at the total IT spending within DOE and across other science-focused agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Alliant Alliance, LLC, a large business, and the data indicates no specific small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that small businesses are unlikely to be direct prime contractors on this award. However, the success of this contract could create subcontracting opportunities for small businesses if Alliant Alliance, LLC, actively seeks them out. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the extent of subcontracting and the specific types of IT services required.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. The Inspector General's office for the DOE would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide details on awards, values, and contractors. Regular performance reviews and audits are standard mechanisms to ensure accountability and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Civilian IT Modernization Programs
- Department of Energy Scientific Computing Initiatives
- Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI) Operations
- IT Support Services Contracts
- Computer Systems Design Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to 'Labor Hours' contract type.
- Limited competition due to source exclusion, even if justified.
- Lack of explicit small business subcontracting targets in provided data.
- Dependence on a single large contractor for critical IT functions.
Tags
it-services, computer-systems-design, department-of-energy, office-of-scientific-and-technical-information, alliant-alliance-llc, full-and-open-competition, labor-hours, tennessee, large-business, it-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $33.7 million to ALLIANT ALLIANCE, LLC. IGF::CT,CL::IGF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALLIANT ALLIANCE, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $33.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-12-01. End: 2021-05-31.
What is the track record of Alliant Alliance, LLC, in delivering IT support services to federal agencies, particularly within the Department of Energy?
Alliant Alliance, LLC, has a significant presence in federal IT contracting. As a large business, it has secured numerous prime contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Energy. Its experience often spans a wide range of IT services, from system design and integration to cybersecurity and cloud solutions. Analyzing past performance reviews, contract modifications, and any reported issues on previous DOE contracts would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness in delivering similar IT support. Specific data on their performance metrics for OSTI-related services, if available, would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.
How does the awarded value of $33.7 million compare to similar IT support contracts for scientific information dissemination agencies?
Comparing the $33.7 million contract value requires identifying comparable agencies and their IT support expenditures. Agencies focused on scientific and technical information, such as NASA's STI program or NSF's information services, might offer relevant benchmarks. The duration of the contract (approximately five years) suggests an average annual value of around $6.7 million. This figure needs to be contextualized against the complexity of OSTI's mission, the volume of data managed, and the specific IT services required. Without direct comparisons of scope and service levels, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents superior or inferior value.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this IT support contract, and how has Alliant Alliance, LLC, performed against them?
Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical KPIs for IT support services include system uptime, response times for issue resolution, data security compliance, successful implementation of system upgrades, and user satisfaction. The 'Labor Hours' contract type implies that performance might be measured by the efficient utilization of labor hours to achieve defined tasks and objectives. A thorough assessment would require access to performance reports, service level agreement (SLA) adherence data, and any documented performance evaluations conducted by the Department of Energy.
What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Energy on IT support services for the Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI)?
To analyze historical spending patterns for OSTI's IT support, one would need to examine contract awards to OSTI or its parent organizations within the DOE over several fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for contracts related to IT services, computer systems design, and information management specifically for OSTI. Understanding trends in spending—whether it has increased, decreased, or remained stable—can indicate shifts in IT needs, modernization efforts, or changes in contracting strategies. It also helps in identifying if this $33.7 million award represents a significant deviation from past investments.
What are the potential risks associated with a 'Labor Hours' contract type for IT support, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
The primary risk with a 'Labor Hours' contract is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if labor hours are not managed efficiently. This can lead to the contractor billing for more hours than initially anticipated or necessary. Mitigation strategies typically include robust oversight by the government, detailed tracking of labor hours, clear task definitions, and potentially incorporating cost ceilings or fixed-price elements for specific deliverables. Regular performance reviews and audits are essential to ensure that the labor hours are being used effectively and that the government is receiving good value.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 104 UNION VALLEY RD, OAK RIDGE, TN, 37831
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $44,167,718
Exercised Options: $44,167,718
Current Obligation: $33,666,061
Actual Outlays: $11,238,465
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS06F0661Z
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-12-01
Current End Date: 2021-05-31
Potential End Date: 2021-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-07-19
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