USPTO spent $20.9M on patent examiner tools and infrastructure, with a 582-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,894,711 ($20.9M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2013-09-25

End Date: 2015-04-30

Contract Duration: 582 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: PATENT EXAMINER TOOLS&INFRASTRUCTURE PHASE 3 (E333) POP: SEPT. 25, 2013 - DEC. 31, 2014 FUNDING POP: SEPT. 25, 2013 - DEC. 31, 2013 CONTRACT#: DOC50PAPT1200017 OTHER FUNCTION - IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92121

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $20.9 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: PATENT EXAMINER TOOLS&INFRASTRUCTURE PHASE 3 (E333) POP: SEPT. 25, 2013 - DEC. 31, 2014 FUNDING POP: SEPT. 25, 2013 - DEC. 31, 2013 CONTRACT#: DOC50PAPT1200017 OTHER FUNCTION - IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. The contract focused on computer systems design services to support patent examiners. 2. Value for money is difficult to assess without detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns. 3. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 4. Risk indicators are moderate, given the IT infrastructure nature of the contract. 5. Performance context is limited by the available data, focusing on delivery order execution. 6. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically supporting government R&D and operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $20.9 million for a 582-day period (approximately 1.6 years) for IT infrastructure and tools for patent examiners appears within a reasonable range for government IT projects of this nature. However, without specific details on the deliverables, the complexity of the systems implemented, and the number of users supported, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT system development and support within federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method of procurement is generally preferred as it fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition was intended and likely occurred.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and encourages a wider pool of contractors to offer their best solutions, ultimately leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and its patent examiners, who receive enhanced tools and infrastructure. The services delivered include computer systems design and infrastructure support, crucial for the efficient processing of patent applications. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting the USPTO's operations, with potential indirect benefits to innovators and businesses nationwide. Workforce implications include ensuring patent examiners have the necessary technological resources to perform their duties effectively.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in IT infrastructure projects if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose a risk if not managed with contingency plans.
Ensuring the long-term maintainability and scalability of the implemented infrastructure is crucial.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded fair pricing.
The contract duration of over 1.5 years indicates a significant project with potential for substantial impact.
Focus on patent examiner tools directly supports the USPTO's core mission of intellectual property protection.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The IT services market for government agencies is substantial, with significant spending on infrastructure, software development, and cybersecurity. The USPTO's need for advanced tools and infrastructure is critical for its role in fostering innovation and economic growth by managing the patent application process. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal agencies' IT modernization and system support contracts.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As a delivery order under a larger contract, the small business participation would depend on the terms of the base contract. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's contracting officers and program managers. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Inspector General jurisdiction would likely fall under the Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General.

Related Government Programs

USPTO IT Modernization Efforts
Federal IT Infrastructure Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services
Government Technology Procurement

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
IT Project Complexity
Limited Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $20.9 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. PATENT EXAMINER TOOLS&INFRASTRUCTURE PHASE 3 (E333) POP: SEPT. 25, 2013 - DEC. 31, 2014 FUNDING POP: SEPT. 25, 2013 - DEC. 31, 2013 CONTRACT#: DOC50PAPT1200017 OTHER FUNCTION - IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

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 $20.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-25. End: 2015-04-30.

What specific IT infrastructure and tools were developed or enhanced under this contract?

The contract, 'PATENT EXAMINER TOOLS&INFRASTRUCTURE PHASE 3 (E333)', focused on providing and enhancing the IT infrastructure and tools necessary for patent examiners. While the specific details of the 'tools' are not elaborated in the provided data, such contracts typically involve the development, deployment, and maintenance of software applications, hardware upgrades, network enhancements, and data management systems. These systems are critical for patent examiners to conduct prior art searches, manage application workflows, collaborate, and ultimately make decisions on patentability. The 'Phase 3' designation suggests this was part of a larger, ongoing effort to modernize or improve the USPTO's technological capabilities.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar IT infrastructure projects within the federal government?

Benchmarking this $20.9 million contract against similar federal IT infrastructure projects requires detailed comparison points such as the scope of work, number of users supported, duration, and complexity. However, for a project spanning approximately 1.6 years (582 days) and involving system design and infrastructure for a critical government function like patent examination, the cost appears to be within a typical range. Many federal IT modernization efforts can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. Without specific details on the deliverables and performance outcomes, a precise comparison is difficult, but the contract value does not immediately suggest overspending relative to the potential scope of such an undertaking.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. Typically, for IT infrastructure and tools contracts, KPIs would focus on system uptime and availability, response times for critical functions, user satisfaction rates among patent examiners, successful deployment of new features or systems, data security compliance, and adherence to project timelines and budget. The 'delivery order' nature suggests that performance would be evaluated against specific task orders issued under the contract. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data limits a thorough assessment of the contractor's performance and the overall success of the project.

What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in delivering similar IT services to federal agencies?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of delivering a wide range of IT services to various federal agencies. They have extensive experience in areas such as systems engineering, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and IT modernization. SAIC has been involved in numerous large-scale IT projects for defense, civilian, and intelligence agencies. Their track record generally indicates a capacity to handle complex IT requirements. However, like any large contractor, specific project performance can vary, and a detailed review of their past performance on contracts with similar scope and objectives to this USPTO contract would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment.

Were there any identified risks or challenges during the performance of this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data summary does not detail specific risks or challenges encountered during the performance of this contract, nor does it outline mitigation strategies. However, IT infrastructure projects, especially those involving system design and implementation for critical operational functions, inherently carry risks. These can include technical challenges in integration, cybersecurity threats, potential delays due to unforeseen issues, and user adoption hurdles. Given that this was a delivery order under a full and open competition, it is likely that risk management plans were part of the contract's framework. Effective mitigation would typically involve proactive monitoring, clear communication channels, agile development methodologies where applicable, and robust security protocols.

How has USPTO's spending on patent examiner tools and infrastructure evolved over time, and does this contract represent a significant shift?

The provided data focuses on a single contract ('PATENT EXAMINER TOOLS&INFRASTRUCTURE PHASE 3 (E333)') awarded in 2013 for approximately $20.9 million. To understand the evolution of USPTO's spending and whether this contract represents a significant shift, historical spending data across multiple fiscal years and various IT-related contracts would be required. USPTO, like many government agencies, continuously invests in IT to improve efficiency and manage increasing workloads. This contract appears to be a specific, substantial investment in infrastructure and tools during its performance period. Without broader historical context, it's difficult to definitively state if it marked a 'significant shift' versus a continuation or scaling of existing modernization efforts.

Industry Classification

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

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

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: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,573,590

Exercised Options: $20,894,711

Current Obligation: $20,894,711

Actual Outlays: $-29

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $2,786,641

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOC50PAPT1200017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline