Commerce Department's Census Bureau awards $25.1M for AMSD Admin Systems Support to Zen Technology, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,173,196 ($25.2M)
Contractor: ZEN Technology, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2005-11-14
End Date: 2006-11-13
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $69.2K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: COMITS AWARD AMSD ADMIN SYSTEMS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20233
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $25.2 million to ZEN TECHNOLOGY, INC for work described as: COMITS AWARD AMSD ADMIN SYSTEMS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price contract type, though specific performance metrics are not detailed. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a competitive delivery order, suggesting a reasonable price discovery process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed duration and a single contractor, but no specific performance issues are highlighted. 4. Performance context is limited to administrative systems support, a crucial but not highly complex function. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically computer-related services, a common area for federal contracting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value of $25.1 million over one year suggests a significant investment in administrative systems support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support services is challenging without more granular data on the specific services provided. However, the firm-fixed-price structure generally aims to control costs for the government, implying an expectation of value. The per-unit cost is not readily calculable without detailed service breakdowns.
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 competed under a broader contract vehicle. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specific order. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery, as multiple vendors vied for the work, likely driving down the offered prices.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source procurement. The multiple bids indicate that government funds are being used efficiently by selecting the most competitive offer.
Public Impact
Federal employees within the U.S. Census Bureau benefit from improved administrative systems. The services delivered ensure the smooth operation of internal administrative functions, supporting the agency's broader mission. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Census Bureau is headquartered. Workforce implications are likely focused on IT support personnel employed by Zen Technology, Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively procured.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical administrative systems could pose a risk if the vendor experiences performance issues or financial instability.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- The contract duration of one year allows for periodic reassessment of needs and vendor performance.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically under Other Computer Related Services. The federal IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with agencies constantly seeking solutions for system support, development, and maintenance. This contract represents a typical expenditure for an agency like the Census Bureau to ensure its internal operational infrastructure is robust and efficient.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Zen Technology, Inc. utilizes small businesses in its subcontracting efforts, which is not detailed here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Census Bureau's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though detailed performance reports are often internal.
Related Government Programs
- Census Bureau IT Support Contracts
- Federal Administrative Systems Modernization
- IT Services for Statistical Agencies
- Zen Technology, Inc. Government Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Reliance on single vendor for critical systems
- Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data
Tags
it-services, administrative-support, census-bureau, department-of-commerce, competitive-delivery-order, firm-fixed-price, zen-technology-inc, district-of-columbia, large-contract, computer-related-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $25.2 million to ZEN TECHNOLOGY, INC. COMITS AWARD AMSD ADMIN SYSTEMS SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ZEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2005-11-14. End: 2006-11-13.
What specific administrative systems are covered under this contract?
The contract details, 'AMSD ADMIN SYSTEMS SUPPORT,' suggest it pertains to the Administrative Management Systems Division (AMSD) and its associated administrative systems. While the specific systems are not enumerated in the provided data, these typically include functions like human resources management, financial management, procurement systems, and other internal operational support tools essential for the Census Bureau's functioning. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519) further indicates a broad scope of IT support, potentially encompassing maintenance, upgrades, and operational assistance for these administrative platforms.
How does the $25.1 million award compare to historical spending on similar administrative systems support at the Census Bureau?
Without access to historical spending data specifically for AMSD Admin Systems Support at the Census Bureau, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $25.1 million for a one-year contract for comprehensive administrative systems support is a substantial investment. Federal agencies often spend significant portions of their IT budgets on maintaining and upgrading these critical internal systems. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze prior contracts for similar services within the Census Bureau or other statistical agencies, looking at both dollar amounts and the scope of work over comparable periods.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?
The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for administrative systems support, KPIs might include system uptime percentages, response times for technical support requests, data accuracy rates, and successful completion of system updates or maintenance tasks. These metrics are crucial for ensuring the contractor, Zen Technology, Inc., meets the government's performance expectations and for the Census Bureau to assess the value received. A thorough review of the contract's statement of work would be necessary to identify these specific performance benchmarks.
What is Zen Technology, Inc.'s track record with federal government contracts, particularly in IT support?
Zen Technology, Inc. has a track record of securing federal government contracts. While the provided data focuses on this specific $25.1 million award, a broader search of federal procurement databases would reveal their history with various agencies and contract types. Their success in winning this competitive delivery order suggests they have the capabilities and experience necessary to provide IT support services. Further analysis would involve examining past performance evaluations, contract values, and the types of IT services they have previously delivered to assess their overall reliability and expertise in this domain.
What is the potential risk associated with relying on a single vendor for these critical administrative systems?
Relying on a single vendor, Zen Technology, Inc., for critical administrative systems carries inherent risks. These include potential vendor lock-in, where the government may face difficulties switching providers due to specialized knowledge or integration issues. There's also the risk of service disruption if the vendor experiences financial difficulties, staffing shortages, or fails to meet performance standards. Furthermore, a lack of ongoing competition could potentially lead to price increases in future contract renewals. Mitigating these risks often involves robust contract management, clear performance expectations, and contingency planning by the agency.
How does the 'Other Computer Related Services' classification impact the understanding of the services provided?
The classification 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS code 541519) is broad and indicates that the services provided likely extend beyond standard IT support or software development. This category can encompass a wide range of activities such as IT consulting, data processing, computer disaster recovery services, and system integration support. For this contract, it suggests that Zen Technology, Inc. is providing a comprehensive suite of services related to the Census Bureau's administrative systems, potentially including analysis, design, implementation, and ongoing support that doesn't fit neatly into more specific IT service categories.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Serco Group PLC
Address: 8120 WOODMONT AVE STE 260, BETHESDA, MD, 20814
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,192,176
Exercised Options: $25,173,196
Current Obligation: $25,173,196
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DOCCM130105CT0018
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2005-11-14
Current End Date: 2006-11-13
Potential End Date: 2013-01-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-28
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