GSA's $21.9M IT infrastructure support contract awarded to Catapult Technology, Ltd. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,912,032 ($21.9M)

Contractor: Catapult Technology, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2013-07-10

End Date: 2014-01-06

Contract Duration: 180 days

Daily Burn Rate: $121.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF GSA INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER'S OFFICE OF ENTERPRISE INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES CONTINUING IT SERVICES AND TRANSITION SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $21.9 million to CATAPULT TECHNOLOGY, LTD. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF GSA INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER'S OFFICE OF ENTERPRISE INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES CONTINUING IT SERVICES AND TRANSITION SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT services and transition support for the Office of the Chief Information Officer. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 180 days is relatively short, indicating a focus on immediate needs or transition. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to a broad range of computer-related services. 6. Geographic location in Washington D.C. may indicate a focus on federal agency operational support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $21.9 million for approximately six months of IT infrastructure support appears to be within a reasonable range for federal IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT operations and maintenance services would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the award offers cost predictability, but the specific unit costs or labor rates are not detailed here, making a granular value assessment challenging without further data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of only one bid received (no: 1) is a notable point. While full and open competition is generally preferred, a single bid could suggest limited market availability for the specific services required, potential barriers to entry for other contractors, or a highly specialized niche. This could impact price discovery and potentially lead to less competitive pricing than if multiple bids were received.

Taxpayer Impact: A single bid under full and open competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the full spectrum of competitive pricing that could have been achieved with more bidders. It warrants further investigation into why only one offer was submitted.

Public Impact

Federal agencies, particularly those within the General Services Administration (GSA), benefit from continued IT services and transition support. The contract ensures the smooth operation and modernization of critical IT infrastructure. Services are delivered within the District of Columbia, supporting federal government operations in the capital. Workforce implications may include IT specialists and technicians employed by Catapult Technology, Ltd.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Single bid received under full and open competition raises questions about market competitiveness and potential price impacts.
Short contract duration (180 days) might indicate a stop-gap measure or a precursor to a larger, longer-term contract, requiring further monitoring.
Lack of detailed performance metrics or outcomes in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services delivered.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, adhering to federal procurement principles.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty and budget predictability.
Contractor, Catapult Technology, Ltd., has experience in providing IT services to the federal government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on IT infrastructure and operations support. The IT services market for the federal government is substantial, with agencies constantly seeking to modernize systems and ensure operational continuity. Contracts like this are crucial for maintaining the backbone of federal digital operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for IT infrastructure support, managed services, and cloud migration services within agencies like GSA.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Catapult Technology, Ltd., is likely a mid-to-large-sized business. The absence of a small business set-aside means opportunities for small business participation would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting plan, if any.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the GSA's Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling cost. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract awards are recorded. The GSA OIG is responsible for auditing and investigating potential fraud, waste, and abuse in GSA contracts.

Related Government Programs

GSA IT Schedule 70 (now IT Professional Services)
CIO IT Support Services
Federal Cloud Computing Strategy Initiatives
IT Operations and Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Single Bidder
Broad NAICS Code
Short Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $21.9 million to CATAPULT TECHNOLOGY, LTD.. IGF::CT::IGF GSA INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY GLOBAL OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER'S OFFICE OF ENTERPRISE INFRASTRUCTURE PROVIDES CONTINUING IT SERVICES AND TRANSITION SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CATAPULT TECHNOLOGY, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Office of the Administrator).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-07-10. End: 2014-01-06.

What is the track record of Catapult Technology, Ltd. in performing similar IT infrastructure support contracts for the federal government?

Catapult Technology, Ltd. has a history of performing IT services for the federal government. While this specific contract is for $21.9 million over approximately six months, their broader portfolio likely includes various IT support, cloud services, and cybersecurity engagements. Analyzing their past performance ratings, contract history, and any reported issues on similar federal contracts would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability. A review of their contract awards and performance evaluations on platforms like SAM.gov or through agency-specific reporting would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Their experience in providing 'continuing IT services and transition support' suggests a focus on operational continuity and system migration, which are critical functions within federal IT.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar IT infrastructure support contracts awarded by GSA or other federal agencies?

The contract value of $21.9 million for approximately six months of IT infrastructure support is substantial. To benchmark its value, one would compare it against contracts for similar services (e.g., IT operations, help desk support, network management, system transition) awarded by GSA or other agencies of comparable size and mission. Factors such as contract duration, scope of work, labor categories, and geographic location influence pricing. A firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty, but the underlying rates and total cost need to be assessed against market data. Without access to detailed pricing structures or a broader dataset of comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the amount suggests a significant scope of work.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, considering its scope and the contractor's background?

Key risks include potential performance issues if Catapult Technology, Ltd. lacks sufficient specialized expertise for the specific IT infrastructure or transition requirements, despite general IT experience. The risk of cost overruns is mitigated by the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure, but scope creep could still emerge if requirements are not clearly defined and managed. A significant risk highlighted is the receipt of only one bid under full and open competition; this could indicate a lack of market interest or capacity, potentially leading to suboptimal pricing or reliance on a single vendor's capabilities. Furthermore, the short duration might imply a transition phase, carrying risks related to knowledge transfer and continuity if not managed meticulously.

How effective is the competition level (one bid) in ensuring optimal pricing and service delivery for this contract?

A single bid under full and open competition is generally not considered optimal for ensuring competitive pricing and robust service delivery. While it adheres to the 'full and open' principle, the lack of competing offers limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to drive down costs and encourage innovation. It suggests that either the market for these specific services is limited, the requirements were too narrowly defined, or potential bidders faced barriers. This situation increases the risk that the awarded price may not reflect the most competitive market rate. Effective service delivery still depends on the contractor's capabilities, but the absence of competition reduces pressure to excel beyond contractual minimums.

What are the implications of the NAICS code 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services') for the scope and potential oversight of this contract?

NAICS code 541519 is a broad category encompassing a wide array of computer-related services not elsewhere classified, including IT consulting, systems integration, and IT support. This broadness implies that the contract could cover diverse IT functions, from hardware/software support to network management and potentially specialized IT project implementation. For oversight, this necessitates a clear Statement of Work (SOW) that precisely defines the services required to avoid ambiguity and ensure accountability. Agencies must have technical expertise to evaluate the contractor's performance across these varied services. The broad nature also means that comparisons to 'similar' contracts need careful consideration of the specific services rendered under the 541519 code.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFQ HE1AA-Q-13-0054

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7500 OLD GEORGETOWN RD, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,912,032

Exercised Options: $21,912,032

Current Obligation: $21,912,032

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0401N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline