FDA IT Support Contract Awarded to Platinum Solutions, Inc. for Over $15.8 Million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,877,724 ($15.9M)

Contractor: Platinum Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2006-11-20

End Date: 2009-12-11

Contract Duration: 1,117 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SUPPORT FOR FDA

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $15.9 million to PLATINUM SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: IT SUPPORT FOR FDA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of IT support services. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific delivery order were not detailed, impacting price discovery assessment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with performance context suggesting a need for ongoing monitoring. 4. The contract falls within the broader IT services sector, a significant area of federal spending. 5. This award represents a portion of the federal government's investment in maintaining critical IT infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of over $15.8 million for three years of IT support suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies of this size would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the duration and the nature of IT support services generally align with market rates for such specialized technical assistance. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value assessment is challenging, but the overall expenditure seems within a plausible range for comprehensive IT support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data indicates this was a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' suggesting it was part of a larger competitive vehicle. However, the specific competition level for this particular delivery order is not detailed. A competitive delivery order implies that multiple vendors could bid on it under an existing contract, but the number of bidders and the extent of competition are unknown. This lack of detail makes it difficult to assess if the pricing achieved was optimal due to robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. If this delivery order was highly competitive, it likely resulted in better pricing. Conversely, limited competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Federal agencies, specifically the FDA, benefit from enhanced IT infrastructure and support services. Essential IT support services are delivered, ensuring the smooth operation of critical government functions. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the FDA, likely concentrated in their main facilities. Workforce implications include support for IT professionals and potentially indirect benefits to agency staff through improved systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition data for this specific delivery order hinders a full assessment of price discovery.
The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Limited insight into specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the IT support provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive delivery order, suggesting some level of pre-qualification and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract duration of over three years indicates a stable and ongoing need for IT support, suggesting a recognized requirement.
The contract falls under the 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code, indicating a focus on specialized IT expertise.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a vast and critical component of federal spending, encompassing everything from software development to hardware maintenance and cybersecurity. This contract for computer systems design services fits within the broader IT support and consulting sub-sector. Federal spending in this area is consistently high as agencies rely on robust IT infrastructure to perform their missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large IT support contracts awarded to agencies with similar operational needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside criterion for this contract. This suggests that the contract was likely awarded to a larger prime contractor. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA) and the specific agency receiving the services (FDA). Mechanisms would include contract performance reviews, financial audits, and potentially Inspector General investigations if any irregularities were suspected. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Systems Design
Federal IT Procurement
Agency IT Support
GSA Schedules

Risk Flags

Contract Type: Time and Materials contracts can pose a higher risk for cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored.
Competition Details: Lack of specific information on the number of bidders for this delivery order makes it difficult to fully assess the competitive landscape and its impact on pricing.
Performance Metrics: Absence of explicit performance indicators in the summary data limits the ability to evaluate the contractor's effectiveness and value delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $15.9 million to PLATINUM SOLUTIONS, INC.. IT SUPPORT FOR FDA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PLATINUM SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-11-20. End: 2009-12-11.

What was the specific competitive process for this delivery order, and how many bids were received?

The data indicates this was a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' which implies it was issued under a pre-existing contract vehicle that itself was competitively awarded. However, the specific details regarding the competition for this particular delivery order, such as the number of bids received or the evaluation criteria used, are not provided in the summary data. To ascertain the level of competition, one would need to consult the detailed contract award file or relevant agency procurement records. A highly competitive delivery order process typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals, leading to potentially better pricing and service offerings for the government.

How does the per-unit cost or overall value of this contract compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by the GSA or FDA?

Direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging without specific service metrics (e.g., cost per hour for different skill sets, cost per managed system). The total award value of over $15.8 million for approximately three years of service suggests an average annual expenditure of roughly $5.3 million. Benchmarking this against other IT support contracts for agencies of similar size and complexity, particularly those managed through GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, would be necessary. Factors like the specific services rendered (e.g., help desk, network management, system design), the labor categories involved, and the prevailing market rates at the time of award would influence comparability. Without access to detailed pricing structures and comparative contract data, a definitive value assessment relative to benchmarks is difficult.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract, and how was Platinum Solutions, Inc. evaluated against them?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or details on how Platinum Solutions, Inc. was evaluated under this contract. Typically, IT support contracts include metrics related to system uptime, response times for service requests, issue resolution rates, and user satisfaction. Performance evaluations are crucial for ensuring the contractor is meeting the government's needs and for justifying continued contract awards or modifications. To assess performance, one would need to review contract performance reports, quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), and any documented performance reviews conducted by the GSA or FDA during the contract period.

What is Platinum Solutions, Inc.'s track record with federal IT support contracts, particularly with the GSA and FDA?

Platinum Solutions, Inc. was awarded this contract for IT support services to the FDA through the General Services Administration. To assess their track record, a review of their contract history with federal agencies, specifically GSA and FDA, would be necessary. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and the types and values of previous IT support contracts they have held. A history of successful contract performance, positive past performance reviews, and experience with similar scope and complexity would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, a history of issues could raise concerns about their capability to deliver effectively.

How has federal spending on IT support services, specifically for agencies like the FDA, trended over the period encompassing this contract?

Federal spending on IT support services has generally trended upwards over the past two decades as agencies increasingly rely on technology to fulfill their missions. The period encompassing this contract (2006-2009) was a time of significant IT modernization efforts across the government. Agencies like the FDA require continuous IT support to manage complex data systems, ensure cybersecurity, and support research and regulatory functions. Analyzing historical federal IT spending data from sources like the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) or the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) would reveal overall trends. This specific contract represents a portion of that broader spending, reflecting the ongoing investment required to maintain and enhance federal IT infrastructure.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: SRA International, Inc. (UEI: 606261683)

Address: 1610 WASHINGTON PLZ N, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,877,724

Exercised Options: $15,877,724

Current Obligation: $15,877,724

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0152N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline