Commerce Adds $95K to $9.89M Census Bureau Contract for Computer Systems Design Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,893,434 ($9.9M)
Contractor: GEO Information Services Joint Venture
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2003-10-15
End Date: 2004-09-30
Contract Duration: 351 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE
Sector: IT
Official Description: ADD FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,000
Place of Performance
Location: DISTRICT HEIGHTS, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20747
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $9.9 million to GEO INFORMATION SERVICES JOINT VENTURE for work described as: ADD FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,000 Key points: 1. Contract value increased by 0.96% to $9.89M. 2. Services fall under NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services). 3. Contract awarded via 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' method. 4. Cost Plus Incentive contract type. 5. Duration of 351 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value is $9.89M. Without comparable contract data or a defined ceiling, assessing pricing against similar services is challenging. The Cost Plus Incentive type suggests potential for cost overruns if not managed closely.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited procurement approach. This lack of competition may hinder price discovery and potentially lead to less favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The addition of $95,000 represents a minor increase in taxpayer expenditure for this specific contract, but the overall value of $9.89M warrants scrutiny regarding efficiency and necessity.
Public Impact
Impacts the U.S. Census Bureau's data collection and processing capabilities. Ensures continued operation of critical information systems. Potential for increased data accuracy and accessibility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Incentive contract type
- Limited transparency on pricing justification
Positive Signals
- Supports critical government function (Census Bureau)
- Contract in place to ensure service continuity
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Spending in this sector is substantial across government, with benchmarks varying widely based on service complexity and duration.
Small Business Impact
No information is available regarding small business participation in this contract. The procurement method and contract value suggest it may not have been specifically set aside for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's limited competition status raises questions about oversight effectiveness in ensuring fair pricing and value. Further review of the justification for limited competition and performance monitoring is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- U.S. Census Bureau Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Cost Plus Incentive contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed strictly.
- Lack of detailed pricing justification.
- No clear indication of small business involvement.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-commerce, md, dca, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $9.9 million to GEO INFORMATION SERVICES JOINT VENTURE. ADD FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $95,000
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GEO INFORMATION SERVICES JOINT VENTURE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2003-10-15. End: 2004-09-30.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a limited or non-competitive basis?
The provided data states 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is a broad category. A thorough review would require accessing the contract's justification and approval (J&A) document. This document should detail why full and open competition was not feasible, such as the existence of only one responsible source or urgent and compelling circumstances.
How is the 'incentive' component of the Cost Plus Incentive contract structured and monitored to ensure cost control?
The Cost Plus Incentive (CPI) contract type aims to motivate the contractor to control costs by sharing any savings or cost overruns with the government based on pre-defined targets. Effective monitoring requires clear performance metrics, regular cost reviews, and robust negotiation of the target cost and sharing ratios to ensure taxpayer value.
What is the expected impact of these additional funds on the overall project timeline and deliverables for the U.S. Census Bureau?
The $95,000 addition represents a small percentage increase (0.96%) of the total contract value. Its impact on the overall project timeline and deliverables is likely minimal, assuming it addresses minor scope adjustments or unforeseen minor costs. However, the specific purpose of the additional funds should be documented.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE (V)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 5845 RICHMOND HIGHWAY, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 08
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,794,116
Exercised Options: $10,794,116
Current Obligation: $9,893,434
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2003-10-15
Current End Date: 2004-09-30
Potential End Date: 2004-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-10-19
Other Department of Commerce Contracts
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Develop the Ground System That Will Support Noaa S Next Generation Geostationary Satellite Series, Goes-R. This NEW Series of Spacecraft, SET to Begin Launching in 2015, IS Expected to Double the Clarity of Today S Satellite Imagery and Provide AT Least 20 Times More Atmospheric Observations From Space. the Contractor IS to Design, Develop, Test and Implement the Goes-R Ground System. the Ground System Will Capture Data From the Goes-R Satellites, and Process and Distribute the Information to Operational Users — $1.8B (L3harris Technologies, Inc.)
- Engineering Services and Development Leading to the Delivery of the Jpss Common Ground System Instrument and Support — $1.6B (Raytheon Company)
- Enterprise Solutions Framework (ESF) for Multi-Tiered Acquisition Framework for Systems Engineering and Integration - Program Tier Work Order 003 - 2020 Census Technical Integrator — $1.5B (T-Rex Solutions LLC)
- THE Goal of the Decennial Response Integration System (dris) Contract IS to Obtain a Practical Solution to Providing Respondent Assistance and Data Capture for the 2010 Census — $930.7M (Lockheed Martin Services, LLC)
- 2020 Census Questionnaire Assistance (2020 CQA) — $918.3M (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)