GSA awards $33.8M for data administration support, with Sybase Inc. as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,804,691 ($33.8M)

Contractor: Sybase, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2009-10-01

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: DATA ADMIN SUPPORT - BASE UP TO OY6 OPTION

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $33.8 million to SYBASE, INC. for work described as: DATA ADMIN SUPPORT - BASE UP TO OY6 OPTION Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of data administration support. 2. Competition was competitive, suggesting potential for good price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear scope of work and established contractor. 4. Performance context is within standard IT support services. 5. Sector positioning is within the IT services category, specifically data management. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $33.8 million over approximately two years for data administration support seems within a reasonable range for IT services of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data management and IT support services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the competitive nature of the award, it suggests that pricing was likely market-driven and represented a fair value at the time of award.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that it was competed under a broader contract vehicle that allowed for full and open competition. The specific number of bidders is not detailed in the provided data, but the 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' designation implies multiple interested parties vied for this work. This level of competition is generally favorable for ensuring fair pricing and access to a range of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces. It also provides assurance that the government is receiving services at a competitive market rate.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring data administration support benefit from this contract. Services delivered include management and maintenance of data systems. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal IT infrastructure. Workforce implications include IT professionals specializing in data management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specific proprietary tools are heavily utilized.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical data functions.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process suggests access to qualified talent.
Clear contract type (delivery order) indicates defined scope.
Established contractor (Sybase, Inc.) likely has relevant experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on data administration and management. The IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with numerous companies offering specialized solutions. Contracts like this are crucial for maintaining the operational integrity of government data systems. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services can vary widely based on complexity, duration, and specific technologies involved, but this award represents a significant investment in essential data infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. As a competitive delivery order, the primary focus was likely on selecting the best value offer from a pool of eligible contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation, either as prime contractors or subcontractors, in fulfilling the requirements of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the General Services Administration (GSA). Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IT Services Contracts
Data Management Services
General Services Administration Contracts
Information Technology Support

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds one year, requiring careful performance monitoring.
Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data functions poses a risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $33.8 million to SYBASE, INC.. DATA ADMIN SUPPORT - BASE UP TO OY6 OPTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SYBASE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-10-01. End: 2011-09-30.

What is the track record of Sybase, Inc. in performing similar federal data administration contracts?

Sybase, Inc. has a history of providing IT services, including database management and administration, to the federal government. While specific details of past performance on similar contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their presence as a contractor suggests prior experience. A deeper dive into contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would reveal the extent and success of their previous federal engagements, including any performance ratings, past issues, or commendations. Understanding their historical performance is crucial for assessing the reliability and effectiveness of their service delivery on this particular contract.

How does the awarded amount compare to the average cost of similar data administration services in the federal market?

Without specific details on the scope of work, service level agreements, and the exact duration of labor hours, a precise comparison of the $33.8 million award to market averages is challenging. However, the contract was awarded competitively, which generally pushes pricing towards market rates. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for data administration support with similar service requirements, geographic scope, and contract duration. Analyzing the average hourly rates or total contract values for similar IT support services awarded by agencies like GSA would provide a more robust comparison point for assessing value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this data administration support contract?

Key risks for this contract include potential over-reliance on the contractor for critical data functions, leading to knowledge transfer challenges or vendor lock-in if proprietary solutions are heavily integrated. Performance risks could arise if the contractor fails to meet service level agreements, impacting agency operations. Security risks are also paramount, given the sensitive nature of federal data; any breaches or vulnerabilities introduced by the contractor could have significant consequences. Furthermore, changes in technology or agency requirements could necessitate contract modifications, introducing scope creep or cost overruns if not managed effectively.

How effective has GSA's Federal Acquisition Service been in managing IT support contracts like this one?

The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) within GSA is responsible for a vast array of government-wide procurement solutions, including IT services. Their effectiveness in managing contracts like this one is generally assessed through metrics such as contract compliance, cost savings achieved through bulk purchasing, and the overall satisfaction of client agencies. While specific performance data for this individual contract isn't provided, FAS aims to streamline procurement and provide value. Success often depends on robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and proactive contract management to ensure services meet agency needs and taxpayer expectations.

What has been the historical spending trend for data administration support by the General Services Administration?

Analyzing historical spending trends for data administration support by GSA requires access to comprehensive procurement data over multiple fiscal years. This specific award of $33.8 million represents a single data point. To understand trends, one would need to aggregate spending on similar contract vehicles and categories over time. Factors influencing spending include evolving IT needs, agency growth, and shifts in technology. A consistent or increasing trend might indicate growing reliance on outsourced data support, while a decrease could suggest insourcing or consolidation of services.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader IT services market, particularly for data management solutions?

This contract, awarded to Sybase, Inc., contributes to the overall demand within the IT services market for data administration and management solutions. Its value of $33.8 million signifies a notable investment, potentially influencing market dynamics by validating the need for such services and the capabilities of the awarded contractor. For other companies in the data management space, it highlights opportunities and competitive pressures. The competitive nature of the award suggests that multiple firms were vying for this business, indicating a healthy level of competition and innovation within this segment of the IT sector.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Electronics and Appliance Stores › Computer and Software Stores

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: SAP AG (UEI: 316268655)

Address: 6903 ROCKLEDGE DR STE 1000, BETHESDA, MD, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,000,000

Exercised Options: $33,804,691

Current Obligation: $33,804,691

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F5212H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline