GSA's $11.17M contract for CHRIS system maintenance shows long-term IT support needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,166,915 ($11.2M)

Contractor: Mantech Enterprise Management, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2006-04-01

End Date: 2010-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: ON GOING MAINTENANCE AND ROUTINE FUNCTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS FOR CHRIS

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 $11.2 million to MANTECH ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT, INC. for work described as: ON GOING MAINTENANCE AND ROUTINE FUNCTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS FOR CHRIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for ongoing maintenance and functional enhancements, indicating a need for sustained IT system support. 2. The contract duration of 1460 days suggests a long-term commitment to the CHRIS system. 3. Awarded as a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 4. The 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code points to a focus on system development and integration. 5. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition and potential price optimization. 6. The use of Time and Materials pricing can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific delivery order is challenging without knowing the parent IDIQ contract's scope and pricing. However, the total value of over $11 million spread across approximately four years suggests a moderate annual spend for IT maintenance and enhancement services. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can be less cost-predictable than fixed-price contracts. Without detailed performance metrics or comparisons to similar system maintenance contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The relatively low number of offers (implied by 'no': 1) on the parent contract could also indicate less competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a Delivery Order under a presumed larger IDIQ contract. The data indicates only one offer was received for the parent contract ('no': 1). This suggests a lack of robust competition, potentially limiting price discovery and negotiation leverage for the government. Sole-source or limited competition awards often occur when a specific vendor possesses unique capabilities or when the requirement is a follow-on to previous work. The limited competition here may have resulted in a higher price than if multiple vendors had vied for the work.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition for this contract means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most cost-effective solution. Without a competitive bidding process, the government's ability to secure the lowest possible price is diminished.

Public Impact

Federal employees using the CHRIS system benefit from its continued functionality and potential enhancements. The services delivered include routine maintenance and functional improvements to a computer system. The contract is geographically focused on the District of Columbia (DC). The contract supports the IT workforce involved in maintaining and developing the CHRIS system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Time and Materials pricing introduces cost uncertainty and requires diligent oversight.
Long-term reliance on a single vendor could create vendor lock-in.

Positive Signals

Ensures continued operational capability of a critical system.
Provides for ongoing functional enhancements, adapting the system to evolving needs.
Awarded to a vendor with presumed expertise in the specific system.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant part of the broader IT services industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of activities, from custom software development to IT consulting and system integration. The market is characterized by both large, established players and numerous smaller, specialized firms. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to maintain and modernize complex IT infrastructures. This contract represents a portion of that spending, focused on the sustainment and evolution of a specific government system.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Given the award was a Delivery Order and the parent contract had limited competition, it's unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were mandated or actively pursued unless specified in the original IDIQ. The focus appears to be on a prime contractor providing comprehensive IT services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) contracting officers and program managers. As a Delivery Order under an IDIQ, the parent contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the award necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and costs to ensure compliance and prevent overspending. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting systems, though specific details on public access to performance data are not provided.

Related Government Programs

IT System Maintenance
Computer Systems Design Services
Software Development and Enhancement
Government IT Infrastructure Support
General Services Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Cost Overruns
Lack of Detailed Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $11.2 million to MANTECH ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT, INC.. ON GOING MAINTENANCE AND ROUTINE FUNCTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS FOR CHRIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MANTECH ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-04-01. End: 2010-03-31.

What is the historical spending trend for the CHRIS system maintenance and enhancements under this contract vehicle?

The provided data reflects a single delivery order with a total value of $11,166,914.98, spanning from April 1, 2006, to March 31, 2010. This indicates a consistent annual spend of approximately $2.79 million over the four-year period. To understand the broader historical trend, one would need to examine the parent IDIQ contract under which this delivery order was issued, as well as any preceding or subsequent contracts for the CHRIS system. Without that broader context, this data point represents a snapshot of spending for a specific period rather than a long-term trend.

How does the awarded amount compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT maintenance and enhancement services?

Directly comparing the $11.17 million award to industry benchmarks is challenging without more specific details about the CHRIS system's complexity, scope of services, and the specific technologies involved. However, for IT maintenance and routine functional enhancements over a four-year period, this amount suggests a moderate level of investment. Industry benchmarks often vary widely based on factors like system criticality, user base size, and the vendor's overhead structure. Given the award was sole-source with limited competition, the price may not reflect the most competitive market rates achievable through a robust bidding process.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for IT maintenance and enhancement contracts, KPIs would focus on system uptime, response times for issue resolution, successful deployment of new functionalities, adherence to project timelines, and user satisfaction. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure implies that performance might be monitored through the efficient use of labor hours and the successful completion of defined tasks or enhancements, rather than strict adherence to a fixed budget. Detailed KPIs would likely be outlined in the contract's statement of work.

What is the track record of MANTECH ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT, INC. with GSA and similar government contracts?

MANTECH ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT, INC. has experience with GSA contracts, as evidenced by this award. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their contract history with GSA and other federal agencies would be necessary. This would include reviewing past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and the types and values of contracts they have successfully managed. Their ability to secure this delivery order suggests they met the requirements of the parent IDIQ, but a comprehensive assessment requires a broader view of their government contracting performance.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service?

The primary risk associated with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements pay the contractor for the actual time and materials used. If not closely monitored and managed, this can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight to ensure that hours billed are reasonable and necessary, and that the work performed aligns with the contract's objectives. It also places a greater burden on the government to define the scope of work clearly and track progress diligently to control expenditures.

How does the 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code align with the described services of 'ON GOING MAINTENANCE AND ROUTINE FUNCTIONAL ENHANCEMENTS'?

The NAICS code 541512, 'Computer Systems Design Services,' broadly encompasses establishments primarily engaged in planning and designing computer systems that integrate hardware, software, and communication technologies. While 'maintenance and routine functional enhancements' might seem purely operational, it often involves aspects of system design, such as planning how new features will integrate with the existing architecture, modifying system configurations, and ensuring compatibility. Therefore, this NAICS code is a reasonable fit, as ongoing enhancements often require design considerations to ensure they function effectively within the overall system architecture.

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

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Mantech International Corporation (UEI: 053518312)

Address: 4900 SEMINARY RD STE 215, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22311

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,987,313

Exercised Options: $13,545,204

Current Obligation: $11,166,915

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4382G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline