GSA Awards $14.4M for National Electronic Project Management System Development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,436,718 ($14.4M)

Contractor: Meridian Project Systems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2008-03-04

End Date: 2014-01-31

Contract Duration: 2,159 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE ALL SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRONIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR USE BY THE ENTIRE GSA COMMUNITY AND CONTROLLED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ARCHITECT IN WASHINGTON, DC. ALL TERMS AND CONDTIONS OF THE SOLICITATION AND THE SPECIFICATIONS PROVIDED WITH THE OFFER ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $14.4 million to MERIDIAN PROJECT SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE ALL SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRONIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR USE BY THE ENTIRE GSA COMMUNITY AND CONTROLLED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ARCHITECT IN WASHINGTON, DC. ALL TERMS AND CONDTIONS OF THE SOLICITATION AND T… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Meridian Project Systems, Inc. for a significant IT system. 2. The system aims to serve the entire GSA community, indicating broad utility. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract spans over 6 years, implying a long-term investment in the system.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.4M over 6 years appears reasonable for a large-scale national system development. Benchmarking against similar large IT system development contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for a wide range of potential contractors to bid. This method is expected to yield fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for a system intended to improve project management efficiency across the GSA, potentially leading to cost savings and better resource allocation in the long run.

Public Impact

Improved project management capabilities for the GSA. Potential for increased efficiency and cost savings through standardized processes. Development of a critical IT infrastructure for a major federal agency. Impact on federal IT procurement and system development practices.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 6 years) could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Reliance on a single contractor for development over an extended period may limit flexibility.
The 'Software Publishers' NAICS code might not fully capture the complexity of a large system development project.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The system is intended for broad use across the GSA, suggesting significant potential benefits.
Firm Fixed Price contract type can provide cost certainty if well-defined.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically software development. Federal spending on IT systems for project management is common, aiming to enhance operational efficiency and data management. Benchmarks for similar large-scale system developments vary widely based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not directly awarded this contract, as it was awarded to Meridian Project Systems, Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), a key agency for federal procurement oversight. The Office of the Chief Architect's control suggests a focus on architectural integrity and standardization, which aids accountability.

Related Government Programs

Software Publishers
General Services Administration Contracting
Public Buildings Service Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of obsolescence or scope creep.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to extensive development over many years.
Complexity of integrating a national system across the entire GSA community.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical IT infrastructure component.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $14.4 million to MERIDIAN PROJECT SYSTEMS, INC.. THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE ALL SERVICES REQUIRED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL ELECTRONIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR USE BY THE ENTIRE GSA COMMUNITY AND CONTROLLED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ARCHITECT IN WASHINGTON, DC. ALL TERMS AND CONDTIONS OF THE SOLICITATION AND THE SPECIFICATIONS PROVIDED WITH THE OFFER ARE INCORPORATED INTO THE CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MERIDIAN PROJECT SYSTEMS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-03-04. End: 2014-01-31.

What specific project management functionalities will the National Electronic Project Management System offer, and how do these align with GSA's strategic goals?

The system is intended to provide comprehensive project management services for the entire GSA community. While specific functionalities are not detailed, it likely includes features for planning, scheduling, resource allocation, risk management, and reporting. Its alignment with GSA's strategic goals would focus on improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability in federal project execution, potentially leading to better outcomes and cost control across diverse agency projects.

Given the 6-year duration, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the system remains relevant and adaptable to evolving technological needs and GSA requirements?

The contract's long duration necessitates robust change management and contract modification processes. Mechanisms likely include periodic reviews, phased development with user feedback loops, and provisions for incorporating new technologies or adapting to shifting GSA priorities. The firm fixed price nature, however, might make significant scope changes costly unless explicitly managed through contract amendments.

How will the success and effectiveness of the National Electronic Project Management System be measured post-implementation to ensure taxpayer value?

Success will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) related to system adoption rates, user satisfaction, project completion times, budget adherence, and reduction in project management overhead. GSA's Office of the Chief Architect will likely oversee these metrics, ensuring the system delivers tangible improvements in project execution and contributes to overall agency efficiency and accountability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: GS-03P-07-PS-C-0056

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Trimble Inc. (UEI: 094982386)

Address: 1180 IRON POINT RD # 300, FOLSOM, CA, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,840,657

Exercised Options: $18,840,657

Current Obligation: $14,436,718

Timeline