GSA awards $12.9M IT support contract to CACI NSS, LLC for custom computer programming services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,908,388 ($12.9M)

Contractor: CACI NSS, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2005-08-18

End Date: 2010-08-19

Contract Duration: 1,827 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: PETERSBURG, PETERSBURG (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 23805

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $12.9 million to CACI NSS, LLC for work described as: IT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded as Time and Materials, indicating potential for cost overruns if not managed closely. 2. Long contract duration of 1827 days suggests a need for sustained IT support services. 3. The contract was awarded under the Federal Acquisition Service, a common channel for IT procurements. 4. CACI NSS, LLC is a known entity in the federal IT contracting space. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 points to specialized custom computer programming. 6. No small business set-aside was applied, suggesting a focus on large prime contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure presents a risk for cost control, as it directly reimburses labor hours and material costs without a fixed ceiling. While T&M can offer flexibility for evolving IT needs, it requires rigorous oversight to prevent scope creep and ensure value. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts would be necessary to assess if the overall $12.9 million expenditure over its duration represents a fair price for the services rendered. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The competition level for this contract is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, the award to a single entity, CACI NSS, LLC, suggests it may have been competed through a vehicle with pre-qualified vendors or potentially a limited competition. The absence of information on the number of bidders or the specific solicitation process makes it difficult to assess the extent of market engagement and its impact on price discovery. Further investigation into the solicitation details would be required.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of transparency regarding the competition level means taxpayers may not be benefiting from the most competitive pricing achievable through a broad solicitation process.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring custom computer programming and IT support services are the primary beneficiaries. The contract delivers essential IT infrastructure and software development capabilities to support government operations. Services are likely delivered within the Virginia (VA) region, indicated by the state code. The contract supports a workforce of IT professionals employed by CACI NSS, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing model can lead to uncontrolled costs without strict oversight.
Long contract duration increases the risk of technology obsolescence or changing requirements.
Limited information on competition makes it hard to ascertain if best value was achieved.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of IT support.

Positive Signals

Award to an established contractor like CACI NSS, LLC suggests a degree of reliability.
The contract addresses a clear need for IT support within the federal government.
The Federal Acquisition Service is a structured procurement channel, implying adherence to certain standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically custom computer programming services. This sub-sector is characterized by high demand from government agencies needing tailored software solutions and IT infrastructure support. The market is competitive, with numerous large and small businesses offering specialized services. The contract's value of approximately $12.9 million over its term is moderate for federal IT procurements, which can range from thousands to billions of dollars. It represents a typical engagement for providing ongoing IT support and development.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside (sb: false). This suggests that the procurement was likely open to larger prime contractors or competed through a vehicle where small business participation was not a primary set-aside criterion. While CACI NSS, LLC may engage small businesses as subcontractors, the primary award does not directly benefit the small business ecosystem through a dedicated set-aside. The implications for subcontracting would depend on CACI's internal policies and any flow-down requirements from the GSA.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. GSA has established procurement regulations and contract administration processes to ensure compliance and performance. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract necessitates close monitoring of labor hours and expenses by the GSA contracting officer's representative (COR) to ensure funds are used appropriately and services are delivered as needed. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potential audits.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Custom Computer Programming
Federal Civilian IT Spending
General Services Administration Contracts
IT Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of detailed competition information hinders value assessment.
Long contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence.
Need for robust oversight to manage T&M contract effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $12.9 million to CACI NSS, LLC. IT SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI NSS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-08-18. End: 2010-08-19.

What is the track record of CACI NSS, LLC with the federal government, particularly in IT support contracts?

CACI NSS, LLC, as part of the larger CACI International Inc., has a significant track record with the federal government, holding numerous IT and professional services contracts across various agencies. Their experience spans areas like IT modernization, cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and software development. For IT support contracts specifically, CACI has consistently been a major player, often winning large-scale, long-term agreements. Their history suggests a capacity to manage complex IT requirements and deliver services at scale. However, like any large contractor, they may have faced scrutiny or performance reviews on specific contracts, which would require a deeper dive into contract performance databases and agency reports for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the $12.9 million total value compare to similar custom computer programming contracts awarded by GSA?

The $12.9 million total contract value over approximately five years (1827 days) places this contract in the mid-range for custom computer programming services awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA). GSA procures a vast array of IT services, with contract values varying significantly based on scope, duration, and complexity. Contracts for enterprise-wide IT modernization or large-scale software development can easily reach tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, more specialized programming tasks might be in the low millions or less. This $12.9 million award suggests a substantial, ongoing need for tailored programming support, likely for a specific program or set of systems, rather than a complete agency-wide overhaul.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for IT support?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for IT support is the potential for cost escalation due to a lack of a fixed ceiling. Unlike firm-fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if not managed stringently. For the government, this means the total cost is not definitively known at the outset and can exceed initial estimates if requirements expand or if contractor performance is not closely monitored. Effective oversight, detailed task orders, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

How effective is GSA's Federal Acquisition Service in ensuring competitive pricing for IT services?

The GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) aims to ensure competitive pricing for IT services through various mechanisms, including Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) and strategic sourcing initiatives. MAS contracts allow agencies to place orders against pre-competed contracts, fostering competition among awardees. However, the effectiveness can vary. While MAS provides a framework, the specific competition level for individual task orders placed under these schedules depends on the ordering agency's approach. For contracts like the one awarded to CACI NSS, LLC, if it was competed under a broad GSA schedule, it likely benefited from initial competition. Yet, the ultimate price discovery also hinges on the specific solicitation details and the number of responsive bidders for that particular requirement.

What are the historical spending patterns for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) by the General Services Administration?

Historical spending patterns for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) by the General Services Administration (GSA) generally show a consistent and significant demand. GSA acts as a major procurement hub for federal agencies, and IT services, including custom programming, represent a substantial portion of its contract awards. Spending in this category has typically trended upwards over the years, reflecting the increasing reliance of government operations on specialized software and IT solutions. GSA's role often involves providing the contracting vehicles through which other agencies can procure these services efficiently. Analyzing GSA's historical data would reveal fluctuations based on federal IT budgets, modernization initiatives, and specific agency needs.

Industry Classification

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

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

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 008898843)

Address: 11955 FREEDOM DR STE 10000, RESTON, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $102,008,342

Exercised Options: $101,995,731

Current Obligation: $12,908,388

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07T00BGD0031

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline