Evolver LLC awarded $16.6M for IT support services to USPTO, highlighting IT infrastructure management needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,577,385 ($16.6M)

Contractor: Evolver LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2010-01-29

End Date: 2013-08-23

Contract Duration: 1,302 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TO#11 SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SIRA

Place of Performance

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

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $16.6 million to EVOLVER LLC for work described as: TO#11 SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SIRA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of IT support services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The contract's duration and value indicate a significant commitment to IT infrastructure management. 4. Performance context is tied to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's operational needs. 5. Positioned within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on facilities management. 6. The use of Time and Materials pricing requires careful monitoring to control costs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $16.6 million over 1302 days (roughly 3.5 years) for IT support services appears to be within a reasonable range for a federal agency like the USPTO. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT facilities management services would provide a more precise assessment, but the scale suggests a substantial operational requirement. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for IT services where scope can evolve, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent scope creep from inflating the final price.

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 the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 10 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this IT support services requirement. A competitive environment generally benefits the government by encouraging lower bids and fostering innovation among offerors seeking to win the contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. It ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by leveraging market forces to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) benefits directly through enhanced IT infrastructure and support, enabling its core mission. Services delivered include essential IT facilities management, ensuring the smooth operation of critical systems. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational locations of the USPTO, likely concentrated in Virginia. Workforce implications include the potential for direct employment by Evolver LLC and its subcontractors to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The exclusion of sources in the competition type warrants a review to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT facilities management could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition indicates a robust bidding process, likely securing competitive pricing.
The contractor, Evolver LLC, has secured a significant federal contract, suggesting established capabilities.
The contract duration implies a stable IT support environment for the USPTO.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on IT facilities management. This sector is characterized by a high demand for specialized services supporting the complex infrastructure of government agencies. The market size for federal IT services is substantial, with agencies continually investing in maintaining and upgrading their systems. This contract represents a typical procurement for essential operational support within the federal IT landscape, aligning with broader trends of outsourcing IT functions to specialized firms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Evolver LLC, is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data snippet. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that opportunities for small businesses would primarily arise if Evolver LLC chooses to subcontract portions of the work, which is not guaranteed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract arise.

Related Government Programs

IT Infrastructure Management Services
Computer Facilities Management
Federal IT Support Contracts
USPTO Technology Modernization
Department of Commerce IT Spending

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Need for robust oversight to manage T&M contract effectively.
Risk associated with sole-source provider for critical IT functions if competition was narrowly defined.
Dependence on contractor performance for essential USPTO operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $16.6 million to EVOLVER LLC. TO#11 SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SIRA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EVOLVER LLC.

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 $16.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-01-29. End: 2013-08-23.

What is the track record of Evolver LLC in performing similar federal IT support contracts?

Evolver LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, including those related to IT services. The award of this $16.6 million contract by the USPTO suggests a level of trust and demonstrated capability. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their past performance evaluations on similar contracts, particularly those involving IT facilities management and support services, would be necessary. Examining contract close-out data and any past performance reviews available through federal databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would provide more granular insights into their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms on previous engagements.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or market rates for similar IT facilities management contracts?

The awarded amount of approximately $16.6 million over 1302 days (about 3.5 years) for IT facilities management services at the USPTO needs to be benchmarked against comparable federal contracts. Without specific details on the scope of services, personnel hours, and required expertise, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the average annual value is around $4.7 million. Federal IT support contracts can vary widely in cost based on complexity, security requirements, and geographic location. A comprehensive analysis would involve comparing this contract's value per year and per service component against similar procurements by agencies of comparable size and mission, considering factors like the number of users supported and the criticality of the systems managed.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used in this contract?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or நிர்ணயிக்கப்பட்ட rate. If not managed diligently, this structure can incentivize longer task durations or the use of more expensive materials than necessary, leading to costs exceeding initial estimates. For the government, effective oversight, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, material costs, and task progress, is crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure value for money. Clear definition of 'materials' and strict controls on overhead rates are also vital.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring competitive pricing for IT services?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method is designed to maximize competition while allowing for specific exclusions if justified. It means the solicitation was broadly advertised, but certain sources might have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria (e.g., specific security clearances, existing infrastructure compatibility). When properly implemented, this method can still foster significant competition, as evidenced by the 10 bidders in this case. The key to its effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing lies in the clarity of the solicitation requirements and the fairness of the exclusion criteria. If the exclusions are reasonable and do not unduly restrict the pool of potential bidders, the resulting competition should drive prices down effectively for taxpayers.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the IT services market, particularly for small businesses?

This contract, awarded to Evolver LLC, represents a significant portion of the IT facilities management market within the federal sector. As it was not a small business set-aside, large businesses like Evolver are the primary beneficiaries. The implications for small businesses depend heavily on Evolver's subcontracting strategy. If Evolver actively seeks to subcontract portions of the work to specialized small businesses, it can create valuable opportunities and foster growth within the small business IT ecosystem. Conversely, if Evolver performs the majority of the work in-house, the direct impact on small businesses may be limited, potentially concentrating federal IT spending among larger prime contractors.

What performance metrics or KPIs are likely being used to evaluate Evolver LLC's success under this contract?

While specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided data, typical metrics for IT facilities management contracts include system uptime/availability, response times for service requests, incident resolution times, adherence to security protocols, and successful completion of scheduled maintenance. For a Time and Materials contract, tracking the efficiency of labor hours used against the tasks completed is also critical. The USPTO would likely have established Service Level Agreements (SLAs) within the contract that define these performance expectations and the associated remedies or incentives for meeting or failing to meet them.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1943 ISAAC NEWTON SQ E STE 260, RESTON, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,577,385

Exercised Options: $16,577,385

Current Obligation: $16,577,385

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOC50PAPT0901027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline