DOJ's $26.6M IT Help Desk Contract Awarded to Worldwide Information Network Systems, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,629,941 ($26.6M)

Contractor: Worldwide Information Network Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2006-09-08

End Date: 2010-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,575 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: OCIO-IT HELP DESK & ENTERPRISE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $26.6 million to WORLDWIDE INFORMATION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: OCIO-IT HELP DESK & ENTERPRISE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in IT support services for the Office of Justice Programs. 2. The use of a competitive delivery order suggests a structured procurement process with potential for multiple bids. 3. The contract duration of over 1500 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The primary service category is Computer Systems Design Services, aligning with enterprise IT support. 5. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, highlighting the specific capabilities required. 6. The geographic scope is national, suggesting widespread impact across DOJ operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more granular data on the specific services provided and the number of users supported. However, the total award of $26.6 million over approximately four years suggests a substantial per-year expenditure. Without comparable contract data for similar IT help desk and enterprise support services within the Department of Justice or other federal agencies, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, can be variable and dependent on the actual hours worked and the skill levels of the personnel deployed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating that it was likely competed under a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar vehicle that allowed for full and open competition. The presence of '10' as the number of offers suggests a reasonably competitive bidding environment for this specific delivery order. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives offers from multiple qualified vendors, fostering a more robust market response.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process for this IT support contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price, preventing potential overspending and encouraging efficiency from the winning contractor.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of Justice, particularly the Office of Justice Programs, benefit from reliable IT support. The contract ensures the delivery of essential IT help desk and enterprise support services. The services provided are critical for the day-to-day operations and technological infrastructure of the agency. The geographic impact is national, supporting users across various locations where the DOJ operates. The contract supports a workforce of IT professionals employed by Worldwide Information Network Systems, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration of over 4 years may lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Reliance on labor hours can introduce cost uncertainty if not tightly controlled through performance metrics.
The specific details of the 'enterprise' support are not fully elaborated, potentially masking scope creep risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive delivery order, indicating a structured and open procurement.
The number of offers (10) suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement.
The contract addresses a fundamental need for IT support, crucial for agency operations.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a vast and critical component of federal spending. This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services, a sub-sector that includes a wide range of IT support, integration, and consulting. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, with significant spending across various agencies for help desk support, network management, cybersecurity, and software development. Benchmarks for IT support contracts vary widely based on scope, complexity, and service level agreements, but contracts in the tens of millions of dollars are common for large agencies or bureaus requiring comprehensive support.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, Worldwide Information Network Systems, Inc., is not identified as a small business in this context. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides appears minimal. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the contract, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess this impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, likely through a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and managing day-to-day interactions. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement (PWS) and service level agreements (SLAs). Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice IT Support Contracts
Federal IT Help Desk Services
Computer Systems Design Services Contracts
Office of Justice Programs IT Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in 'enterprise' support services.
Reliance on labor hours requires diligent performance monitoring.
Contract duration may necessitate careful vendor management to avoid complacency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $26.6 million to WORLDWIDE INFORMATION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC.. OCIO-IT HELP DESK & ENTERPRISE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WORLDWIDE INFORMATION NETWORK SYSTEMS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Office of Justice Programs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-09-08. End: 2010-12-31.

What is the specific scope of 'enterprise' support included in this contract beyond basic help desk functions?

The provided data abbreviates the contract description as 'OCIO-IT HELP DESK & ENTERPRISE'. While 'help desk' typically refers to first-level user support for technical issues, 'enterprise' support can encompass a broader range of services. This might include network administration, server maintenance, cybersecurity monitoring, software deployment and patching, user account management, and potentially IT asset management. Without the full Performance Work Statement (PWS), the precise boundaries of 'enterprise' support remain undefined. This ambiguity could lead to challenges in performance monitoring and cost control if the scope is not clearly delineated and managed throughout the contract lifecycle. Understanding the specific enterprise services is crucial for assessing the true value and effectiveness of the contract.

How does the awarded amount of $26.6 million compare to historical IT support spending by the Office of Justice Programs?

To accurately compare this $26.6 million award to historical spending, a detailed analysis of past contracts for similar IT support services by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) would be necessary. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for contracts with comparable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (like 541512 for Computer Systems Design Services) and service descriptions over several fiscal years. Factors such as inflation, changes in technology, and evolving agency needs would need to be considered for a meaningful comparison. If OJP's IT support spending has been consistently in this range or higher, it suggests this contract is in line with historical investment. Conversely, if this represents a significant increase, it might warrant further investigation into the drivers of that change, such as expanded service requirements or market price fluctuations.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of Worldwide Information Network Systems, Inc. in delivering IT support?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for an IT help desk and enterprise support contract typically focus on responsiveness, resolution times, user satisfaction, and system availability. Specific metrics might include: Average Response Time (how quickly an issue is acknowledged), Average Resolution Time (how long it takes to fix an issue), First Call Resolution Rate (percentage of issues resolved on the first contact), Ticket Backlog (number of unresolved issues), System Uptime (availability of critical IT systems), and User Satisfaction Surveys. The contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) would detail these KPIs, along with acceptable performance thresholds and any associated incentive or penalty clauses. Effective monitoring of these KPIs is essential for ensuring the contractor meets the government's needs and achieves value for money.

What is the track record of Worldwide Information Network Systems, Inc. with federal IT support contracts?

Worldwide Information Network Systems, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those related to IT services. Examining their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving help desk and enterprise support, would provide insight into their reliability, quality of service, and ability to manage complex IT requirements. This would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented instances of contract disputes or awards, and the overall value and duration of their previous federal engagements. A strong track record with comparable contracts suggests a lower risk for this current award, while a history of issues might raise concerns about the contractor's capability to meet the Department of Justice's needs effectively.

Given the 'full-and-open' competition, were there any specific requirements or solicitations that might have limited the pool of potential bidders?

The designation 'full-and-open' competition generally implies that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. However, the specific nature of the requirement, such as the need for specialized technical expertise, specific security clearances, or demonstrated experience with particular government systems, could implicitly limit the number of capable bidders. The fact that 10 offers were received suggests that the requirements, while potentially specialized, did not unduly restrict competition to a very small group. Further details within the solicitation documents (e.g., RFPs) would clarify any specific pre-qualification criteria or technical requirements that shaped the competitive landscape for this particular delivery order.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation (UEI: 053518312)

Address: 9111 EDMONSTON RD. STE 304, GREENBELT, MD, 20770

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,629,941

Exercised Options: $26,629,941

Current Obligation: $26,629,941

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F0291Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline