Commerce Department's $19.18M IT contract for help desk services saw funding increase by $655K

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,178,819 ($19.2M)

Contractor: Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2009-05-21

End Date: 2012-03-12

Contract Duration: 1,026 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER DOC56PAPT09050876 (TO-01) IS TO ADD FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $655,490.68. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM MAY 26, 2009 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009 FOR HELP DESK.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22313

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $19.2 million to INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES INC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER DOC56PAPT09050876 (TO-01) IS TO ADD FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $655,490.68. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM MAY 26, 2009 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009 FOR HELP DESK. Key points: 1. Contract focused on essential IT support, indicating a need for consistent user assistance. 2. The contract was competed broadly, suggesting a competitive market for these services. 3. Performance period spanned over three years, allowing for sustained service delivery. 4. The task order mechanism was used to add funding, a common practice for ongoing needs. 5. Contractor has a history of performing IT services for federal agencies. 6. The specific IT service category points to a common and recurring government requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of $19.18 million over approximately three years for help desk services appears within a reasonable range for federal IT support. However, without specific details on the scope of services, number of users supported, or service level agreements, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The additional funding of $655,490.68 via a task order suggests the initial estimate was exceeded, which could indicate scope creep or underestimation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' which is a standard method for ensuring broad market participation. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this competition type generally leads to better price discovery and a wider selection of qualified vendors. The exclusion of sources clause might warrant further investigation to understand if specific capabilities were sought.

Taxpayer Impact: This level of competition is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing, potentially driving down costs for the government.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) likely benefited from enhanced IT support. The services delivered were critical for maintaining the operational efficiency of the USPTO's IT infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within the locations where USPTO personnel are based. The contract supported IT professionals, potentially including help desk technicians and related support staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The task order mechanism for adding funds could indicate initial underestimation of project scope or unforeseen requirements.
The relatively short performance period for the task order (May 26, 2009 - June 30, 2009) suggests a specific, short-term need or a bridge to a larger contract.
The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code is broad and could encompass a wide range of activities, making precise performance evaluation difficult without more detail.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
The contractor, Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc., has experience in providing IT services.
The contract duration of over three years (from initial award to final delivery order) suggests a stable, ongoing need for the services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on IT support services. The market for IT support and help desk services is highly competitive, with numerous small, medium, and large businesses offering these solutions. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to maintain complex IT systems across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing per-user support costs or hourly rates for similar IT support roles within the federal government.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on the small business ecosystem would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, if any were mandated or pursued by the prime contractor. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals, it's difficult to assess the direct benefit to small businesses from this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of Commerce's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Performance monitoring would likely involve tracking service level agreements, user satisfaction, and adherence to task order requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Help Desk Services
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
IT Support Contracts
Department of Commerce IT Spending
USPTO IT Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to task order funding increases.
Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service details and performance.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
Contract duration and funding adjustments warrant scrutiny for efficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $19.2 million to INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY APPROACHES INC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER DOC56PAPT09050876 (TO-01) IS TO ADD FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $655,490.68. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE IS FROM MAY 26, 2009 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009 FOR HELP DESK.

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 $19.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-05-21. End: 2012-03-12.

What was the specific nature of the IT support provided under this contract, and what metrics were used to evaluate the contractor's performance?

The contract primarily covered 'Help Desk' services, as indicated by the task order description. This typically involves providing technical assistance to end-users for hardware, software, and network issues. Performance evaluation would likely be based on metrics such as response times, resolution rates, user satisfaction surveys, and adherence to service level agreements (SLAs). However, the provided data does not detail these specific metrics or the exact scope of services beyond the general 'Help Desk' function. Further analysis of the contract's statement of work (SOW) and performance reports would be necessary to fully understand the performance evaluation criteria and outcomes.

How does the total contract value of $19.18 million compare to similar IT help desk contracts awarded by the federal government?

Benchmarking this $19.18 million contract requires context regarding the duration, scope, and number of users supported. Federal IT help desk contracts can vary significantly in price. For a contract spanning over three years, this value suggests a substantial operation, potentially supporting thousands of users across multiple locations. Contracts for similar services can range from a few million dollars for smaller agencies or limited support to tens or hundreds of millions for large-scale, comprehensive support across an entire department. Without specific details on user base size and service complexity, a direct comparison is difficult, but the value appears consistent with a significant federal IT support requirement.

What were the primary risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

Potential risks for an IT help desk contract include service disruptions, failure to meet performance standards (SLAs), data security breaches, and cost overruns. Given the contract's duration and the use of task orders to add funding, risks related to scope management and budget adherence might have been present. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight, clear performance metrics, regular performance reviews, and defined security protocols. The 'full and open competition' likely mitigated risks associated with vendor lock-in or lack of qualified providers. Specific risk mitigation plans would be detailed in the contract's SOW and associated documentation.

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

Innovative Management & Technology Approaches Inc. (IMTA) has a history of performing IT-related services for the federal government. While this specific contract with the Department of Commerce is a significant award, IMTA's broader track record would need to be examined through databases like FPDS or SAM.gov to assess their performance across multiple contracts. Key aspects to review would include past performance ratings, any contract disputes or terminations, and the types of IT services they have successfully delivered to other agencies. A positive performance history across various federal contracts would indicate a lower risk for future engagements.

How has federal spending on 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) evolved over the years, and where does this contract fit in?

Federal spending under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' has generally trended upwards over the past decade, reflecting the increasing reliance on IT across government functions. This category is broad and can include services like IT consulting, disaster recovery, data processing, and specialized IT support not covered by more specific codes. This $19.18 million contract for help desk services represents a portion of that broader spending. Its significance lies in its contribution to the operational continuity of the USPTO. Analyzing historical spending within this NAICS code would reveal trends in demand for various IT services and the government's investment priorities in technology.

Were there any specific technological advancements or changes during the contract period that might have influenced the need for additional funding?

The period of performance for the task order (May 26, 2009 - June 30, 2009) and the overall contract delivery period (ending 2012) spanned a time of significant technological evolution. This included the increasing adoption of cloud computing, mobile technologies, and evolving cybersecurity threats. If the USPTO underwent system upgrades, implemented new software, or experienced an increase in user-generated IT issues due to these changes, it could necessitate additional funding for enhanced help desk support. The $655,490.68 increase might reflect the need to support new systems, expanded user bases, or more complex technical issues arising during this period.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1001 G ST NW STE 400W, WASHINGTON, DC, 98

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,178,819

Exercised Options: $19,178,819

Current Obligation: $19,178,819

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOC50PAPT0901016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline