DoD's $131M IT Services Contract with Odyssey Systems: A 5-Year Deal with Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,110,174 ($13.1M)

Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2002-11-01

End Date: 2007-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,702 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: 200302!000001!5700!GV62 !ESC/DIAK !GS35F0207K !C!N! !N!F1962802F8253 !20021101!20030731!090739830!090739830!090739830!N!ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GRO!201 EDGEWATER DRIVE !WAKEFIELD !MA!01880!09875!017!25!BURLINGTON !MIDDLESEX !MASS !+000000377000!N!N!000000000000!R425!ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541690!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! ! ! !A! ! ! !000! ! ! ! ! ! ! !Y!B!N!N! ! ! ! ! ! !* ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: WAKEFIELD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01880

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.1 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: 200302!000001!5700!GV62 !ESC/DIAK !GS35F0207K !C!N! !N!F1962802F8253 !20021101!20030731!090739830!090739830!090739830!N!ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GRO!201 EDGEWATER DRIVE !WAKEFIELD !MA!01880!09875!017!25!BURLINGTON !MIDDL… Key points: 1. The Department of Defense awarded a significant IT services contract valued at $131 million. 2. Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract duration spans over 5 years, indicating a substantial, long-term need for these services. 4. The primary service category is Custom Computer Programming Services, crucial for modern defense operations. 5. The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure warrants scrutiny for cost control.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. Benchmarking against similar T&M contracts for custom programming services is essential to ensure fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the T&M nature means the final price is dependent on actual labor hours and material costs incurred.

Taxpayer Impact: While competition should drive value, the T&M pricing model presents a risk of higher-than-anticipated costs for taxpayers if not closely monitored.

Public Impact

Taxpayers are funding critical IT infrastructure and custom programming for national defense. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a sustained demand for specialized IT skills within the DoD. The use of Time and Materials pricing could lead to increased costs if not managed effectively by the agency. Odyssey Systems, as the awardee, benefits from a significant, multi-year federal contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing model
Long contract duration (over 5 years)
Potential for cost creep without strict oversight

Positive Signals

Full and open competition
Award to a single entity for specialized services
Clear service category (Custom Computer Programming)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for advanced software solutions in defense and other government functions. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee is Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd., and further analysis would be needed to determine their small business status or subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's duration and T&M pricing necessitate robust oversight from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) to ensure adherence to scope, quality, and cost controls. Regular performance reviews and audits are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Contract Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of specific details on the services provided.
Long contract duration may reduce flexibility for future technological shifts.
Limited insight into small business participation.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical programming services over an extended period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.1 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. 200302!000001!5700!GV62 !ESC/DIAK !GS35F0207K !C!N! !N!F1962802F8253 !20021101!20030731!090739830!090739830!090739830!N!ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GRO!201 EDGEWATER DRIVE !WAKEFIELD !MA!01880!09875!017!25!BURLINGTON !MIDDLESEX !MASS !+000000377000!N!N!000000000000!R425!ENGINEERING TECHNICAL SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !3000!NOT DISCERNABLE OR CLASSIFIED !541690!E! !6! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-11-01. End: 2007-06-30.

What specific custom computer programming services are being provided, and how do they align with current DoD technological needs?

The contract specifies 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS 541511). While the exact nature of these services isn't detailed in the provided data, they likely encompass software development, system integration, and potentially cybersecurity solutions tailored to the Department of Defense's unique operational requirements. Understanding the specific applications and systems being developed or maintained is key to assessing their strategic value.

How effectively is the DoD managing the Time and Materials pricing to prevent cost overruns and ensure value for money?

Effective management of T&M contracts hinges on stringent oversight of labor hours, rates, and material costs. The DoD must implement rigorous tracking mechanisms, conduct regular audits, and enforce contract clauses that cap costs or require justification for exceeding estimates. Without proactive management, T&M contracts are susceptible to scope creep and inflated expenditures, diminishing the overall value proposition for taxpayers.

What is the long-term strategic impact of this contract on the DoD's IT capabilities and reliance on external providers?

A five-year contract for custom programming suggests a strategic decision to leverage external expertise for critical IT functions. This could enhance the DoD's capabilities by accessing specialized skills not readily available internally. However, it also raises questions about long-term dependency, knowledge transfer, and the potential impact on the development of in-house IT expertise. Assessing the balance between external support and internal capacity building is vital.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Address: 201 EDGEWATER DR STE 270, WAKEFIELD, MA, 06

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0207K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline