Commerce Department's $21.9M IT Service Desk Contract Awarded to Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,899,887 ($21.9M)

Contractor: Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2014-09-13

End Date: 2016-09-12

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF IMTAS - BPC-01 SERVICE DESK SUPPORT POP: 09/13/14 - 09/12/15

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22313

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $21.9 million to INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF IMTAS - BPC-01 SERVICE DESK SUPPORT POP: 09/13/14 - 09/12/15 Key points: 1. The contract was awarded on a full and open competition basis, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The service desk support is categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services,' a broad IT category. 3. The contract duration of 730 days (2 years) provides a stable period for service delivery. 4. The award was made as a BPA Call, indicating it was likely part of a pre-existing agreement. 5. The contract was not set aside for small businesses, suggesting larger firms were likely participants. 6. The contract's value of approximately $21.9 million over two years warrants a review of its cost-effectiveness.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this IT service desk contract requires more granular data on the specific services provided and the number of users supported. However, the total contract value of $21.9 million over two years, averaging roughly $10.95 million annually, falls within a typical range for large-scale IT support services for a federal agency. Without specific performance metrics or comparisons to similar contracts with defined service levels, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, can be efficient if managed well but also carries a risk of cost overruns if not closely monitored.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This suggests a robust bidding process where multiple companies likely vied for the contract. The level of competition is generally positive for price discovery, as it encourages bidders to offer competitive pricing to win the award. However, the specific number of bids received is not provided, which would offer further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through competitive pressure, ensuring the government receives services at a fair market price.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are the primary beneficiaries, receiving IT support services. The contract ensures the continuity of essential IT help desk functions, crucial for the daily operations of the USPTO. The services delivered are critical for maintaining the technological infrastructure that supports patent and trademark processing. The geographic impact is primarily within the USPTO's operational locations, likely concentrated in areas with significant federal IT infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to labor hour pricing if not meticulously managed.
Risk of service degradation if contractor's staffing levels or expertise are insufficient for demand.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical IT support functions could pose continuity risks.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that should yield fair pricing.
Contract duration of two years provides stability for service delivery and planning.
The contractor, Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc., has experience in government IT services.
The contract supports essential IT functions for a critical agency (USPTO).

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly IT service desk support, is a significant component of federal IT spending. This contract falls under the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519), which encompasses a wide range of IT support activities. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous large and small businesses offering solutions. Federal agencies often rely on such contracts to manage their complex IT environments, with spending in this category often running into billions of dollars annually across the government. This specific contract represents a portion of the Department of Commerce's overall IT budget.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). This suggests that the competition was open to all responsible sources, including large businesses. While there is no direct indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided snippet, federal contracts of this size often include provisions for small business participation. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly compete for this prime contract were limited, though they might still participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The contract's status as a BPA Call might imply oversight is also tied to the parent BPA agreement. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the Department of Commerce's IG office, which would investigate fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

IT Help Desk Services
IT Support Contracts
Department of Commerce IT Spending
USPTO Technology Modernization
General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedules (if applicable to BPA)
Other Computer Related Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Labor Hour Pricing Risk
Performance Monitoring Gaps
Potential for Scope Creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $21.9 million to INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES INC. IGF::OT::IGF IMTAS - BPC-01 SERVICE DESK SUPPORT POP: 09/13/14 - 09/12/15

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-13. End: 2016-09-12.

What is the specific scope of services included in this IT service desk support contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SERVICE DESK SUPPORT' under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). However, the granular details of the service scope are not specified. Typically, IT service desk support includes functions such as incident management, request fulfillment, problem management, user account administration, hardware and software troubleshooting, and providing technical assistance to end-users. The exact services, service level agreements (SLAs), hours of operation, and user base supported would be detailed in the contract's statement of work (SOW), which is not included in the provided data. Understanding the precise scope is crucial for evaluating the contract's value and performance.

How does the per-year cost of this contract compare to similar IT service desk contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

The contract's annual value is approximately $10.95 million ($21.9 million / 2 years). Comparing this to similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal IT service desk awards, including details on the number of users supported, geographic scope, and specific service levels. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively benchmark the cost. However, for a large federal agency like the USPTO, supporting potentially thousands of users, this annual cost is within a plausible range. Contracts with more comprehensive SLAs, 24/7 support, or support for highly specialized systems might command higher prices, while simpler, limited-scope support might be less expensive. A detailed benchmark would necessitate analyzing contracts with similar characteristics.

What is the track record of Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc. in performing similar federal IT service contracts?

Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc. (IMTAS) has a history of performing IT services for the federal government. While the provided data snippet focuses on this specific contract, a deeper dive into their contract history would reveal their performance on other IT support, service desk, or related technology contracts. Key aspects to examine would include past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and the types and values of previous awards. A positive track record on similar, complex IT service contracts would suggest a lower performance risk for this current award. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about their capability to meet the USPTO's requirements effectively.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this service desk contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. In a typical IT service desk contract, KPIs are crucial for measuring performance and ensuring value for money. Common KPIs include: First Call Resolution (FCR) rate, Average Handle Time (AHT), Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) scores, Ticket Response Time, Ticket Resolution Time, and System Uptime. These metrics are usually defined in the contract's Service Level Agreement (SLA). The contracting agency (USPTO) would monitor these KPIs to assess the contractor's performance and adherence to agreed-upon service standards. Without visibility into these KPIs, a thorough assessment of the contract's effectiveness is limited.

How has federal spending on IT service desk support evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit in?

Federal spending on IT service desk support has generally remained a significant and consistent area of expenditure as agencies continue to rely heavily on technology for operations. While overall IT spending fluctuates based on modernization initiatives, cybersecurity needs, and budget appropriations, the demand for reliable IT support services remains constant. This contract, valued at approximately $10.95 million annually, represents a mid-to-large-sized award for service desk support within the context of the federal government's vast IT budget, which runs into the tens of billions of dollars annually. Its place within the evolution of spending would depend on whether it replaces previous contracts, consolidates services, or represents new requirements.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2100 CRYSTAL DR STE 750, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,936,515

Exercised Options: $21,899,887

Current Obligation: $21,899,887

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOC45PAPT1420030

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline