DoD's DISA Spends $21.8M on Computer Services via Non-Competitive Contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,780,999 ($21.8M)

Contractor: Chickasaw Advisory Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-08-01

End Date: 2014-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,886 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SERVICES - LABOR

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BELVOIR, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22060

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.8 million to CHICKASAW ADVISORY SERVICES, LLC for work described as: SERVICES - LABOR Key points: 1. Significant spending on 'Other Computer Related Services' ($21.8M) over 5 years. 2. Contract awarded to Chickasaw Advisory Services, LLC, with no indication of competition. 3. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and value for taxpayer money. 4. The IT sector is prone to rapid technological change, requiring continuous evaluation of service relevance.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed tightly. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the $21.8M represents fair market value for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, suggesting a limited or sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for a $21.8M contract means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price or value for these computer-related services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the lack of competitive bidding. The long contract duration (5 years) could mean the services became outdated or less effective over time. Transparency in government contracting is crucial; non-competitive awards warrant closer scrutiny.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
  • Long contract duration
  • No small business participation

Positive Signals

  • Contract awarded to a specific company, potentially indicating specialized expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Spending benchmarks in this area vary widely based on the specific services, but significant non-competitive awards often signal potential inefficiencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract did not involve small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This represents a missed opportunity to support small business growth and potentially leverage specialized capabilities.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competitive nature of this award suggests a potential gap in oversight regarding fair competition. Further review is needed to understand why this contract was not competed.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Computer Related Services
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Defense Information Systems Agency Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.
  • Risk of acquiring outdated technology or services over a long contract period.
  • Limited transparency in the procurement process.
  • No small business participation.

Tags

other-computer-related-services, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.8 million to CHICKASAW ADVISORY SERVICES, LLC. SERVICES - LABOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHICKASAW ADVISORY SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-08-01. End: 2014-09-30.

What specific computer-related services were provided under this contract, and how did their value align with the $21.8M cost?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). Without detailed service descriptions and performance metrics, it's impossible to definitively assess the value received. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure means costs were reimbursed plus a fixed fee, making cost control and value assessment critical but difficult without further data.

What were the justifications for awarding this contract on a non-competitive basis, and were alternatives explored?

The data states 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', implying a justification was made, possibly under specific FAR exceptions (e.g., sole-source justification). However, the lack of detailed documentation makes it impossible to verify if this was the most appropriate path or if competitive alternatives were adequately considered and rejected.

How effective were Chickasaw Advisory Services' contributions to the Defense Information Systems Agency's mission over the contract's five-year period?

Effectiveness is not directly measurable from the provided data. While the contract was awarded and presumably services rendered, the lack of competition and the CPFF structure mean that performance incentives might have been less robust. Assessing effectiveness would require reviewing performance reports, mission impact, and user feedback.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesOther Computer Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HC102809R2016

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Chickasaw Nation

Address: 17 EXECUTIVE PARK DR S STE 500, ATLANTA, GA, 30329

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,780,999

Exercised Options: $21,780,999

Current Obligation: $21,780,999

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2009-08-01

Current End Date: 2014-09-30

Potential End Date: 2014-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2024-10-16

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