Education Dept. Awards $224M Time & Materials Contract for Enterprise Data Architecture to CSRA LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $224,398,824 ($224.4M)
Contractor: Csra LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2001-05-21
End Date: 2008-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,506 days
Daily Burn Rate: $89.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: TIME AND MATERIALS TASK FOR ENTERPRISE DATA ARCHITECTURE ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES
Place of Performance
Location: LANHAM, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20706, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $224.4 million to CSRA LLC for work described as: TIME AND MATERIALS TASK FOR ENTERPRISE DATA ARCHITECTURE ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES Key points: 1. Significant investment in enterprise data architecture highlights the importance of data management. 2. The contract's duration and value suggest a long-term need for these services. 3. Time and Materials pricing can pose risks if not carefully managed and monitored. 4. The sector focus on IT and data services is a growing area of government spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract was awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed effectively. The total award value of $224M over nearly 7 years suggests a substantial investment, but the lack of specific performance metrics or benchmarks makes a direct value assessment difficult without further data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure may not have fully optimized price discovery, potentially leading to costs exceeding those achievable with a fixed-price or performance-based contract.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of Time and Materials pricing for a large, long-term contract raises concerns about potential cost overruns, impacting taxpayer value. Effective oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks.
Public Impact
Impacts the Department of Education's ability to manage and leverage its enterprise data. Potential for significant taxpayer investment in data architecture services. Highlights the ongoing need for robust IT infrastructure and data management in government agencies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing model
- Long contract duration
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Focus on critical data architecture
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on enterprise data architecture. Government spending in IT, particularly for data management and analytics, has been steadily increasing as agencies aim to improve efficiency and decision-making through data. Benchmarks for similar large-scale data architecture projects can vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The Time and Materials nature of this contract necessitates robust oversight to ensure efficient use of funds and prevent cost creep. The Department of Education would need strong contract management practices to monitor labor hours, material costs, and overall project progress against objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Education Contracting
- Department of Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Risk of scope creep without stringent management.
- Ensuring long-term relevance and adaptability of architecture.
- Adequate performance monitoring and accountability.
- Potential for contractor lock-in over the contract's long duration.
Tags
department-of-education, md, dca, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $224.4 million to CSRA LLC. TIME AND MATERIALS TASK FOR ENTERPRISE DATA ARCHITECTURE ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CSRA LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $224.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2001-05-21. End: 2008-03-31.
What was the average hourly rate or loaded labor cost for the Time and Materials pricing, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar enterprise data architecture roles?
Without specific details on the labor categories, hours, and rates billed under this Time and Materials contract, it's impossible to determine the average hourly rate or loaded labor cost. To assess this, one would need access to the contract's detailed billing records and compare them against established government or industry benchmarks for comparable IT services and skill sets in the Maryland region.
What specific deliverables were expected under this contract, and how was their successful completion measured to ensure value for money?
The provided data only states 'Enterprise Data Architecture Activities and Deliverables' generally. To assess value, specific deliverables like data models, architectural blueprints, data governance frameworks, and implementation plans would need to be defined. Success measurement would typically involve adherence to scope, quality standards, timely completion, and alignment with the Department's strategic data goals, often tied to performance metrics or acceptance criteria.
Given the nearly 7-year duration and significant value, what mechanisms were in place to ensure the contracted services remained relevant and effective as technology and the Department's needs evolved
Long-term contracts often include provisions for contract modifications, scope adjustments, and periodic reviews to adapt to changing requirements and technological advancements. For this contract, effective mechanisms would likely involve regular stakeholder meetings, technology refresh cycles, and potentially phased approaches to architecture development, allowing for course correction and ensuring continued alignment with evolving needs.
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)
Address: 7700 HUBBLE DRIVE, LANHAM, MD, 20706
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $345,576,422
Exercised Options: $345,576,422
Current Obligation: $224,398,824
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2001-05-21
Current End Date: 2008-03-31
Potential End Date: 2010-05-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-04-23
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