DoD's $26.2M Commissary Site Prep Contract Awarded to IBM Amidst Concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,224,797 ($26.2M)

Contractor: International Business Machines Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-07-01

End Date: 2021-01-31

Contract Duration: 580 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: COMMISSARY DECA SITE PREP LABOR CONUS

Place of Performance

Location: FORT LEE, PRINCE GEORGE County, VIRGINIA, 23801

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.2 million to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION for work described as: COMMISSARY DECA SITE PREP LABOR CONUS Key points: 1. IBM secured a significant $26.2M contract for commissary site preparation. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 3. Potential risks include the broad scope of 'Other Computer Related Services' and the firm-fixed-price structure. 4. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is the primary agency involved.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $26.2M for site prep services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar IT-related infrastructure projects is difficult due to the broad service category and lack of specific deliverables in the provided data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the broad nature of the service code (541519) could limit direct comparability and potentially obscure cost efficiencies.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for essential site preparation, the value of which is subject to competitive bidding. The firm-fixed-price nature aims to control costs, but the broad service category warrants scrutiny.

Public Impact

Ensures necessary infrastructure development for commissary operations. Supports military personnel and their families by facilitating access to goods and services. The use of a large corporation like IBM may have implications for local economic impact and small business participation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Broad service category (541519) lacks specificity.
  • Firm-fixed-price contract with a large value.
  • Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded via full and open competition.
  • Supports essential military family services.
  • Contract duration aligns with project needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT and related services, specifically site preparation. Benchmarks for IT infrastructure projects vary widely, but a $26.2M outlay for site prep suggests a significant undertaking, potentially involving extensive groundwork and integration.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to IBM, a large corporation. There is no explicit indication of small business subcontracting in the provided data, which could represent a missed opportunity for small business participation in this significant federal contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), a key component of the DoD's IT infrastructure. Oversight would typically involve DISA's contracting and program management offices to ensure performance and adherence to terms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

  • Broad service category lacks specificity.
  • Potential for cost overruns due to fixed-price nature.
  • Limited visibility into small business participation.
  • Contract awarded to a single large entity.

Tags

other-computer-related-services, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.2 million to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. COMMISSARY DECA SITE PREP LABOR CONUS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-07-01. End: 2021-01-31.

What specific site preparation activities are covered under the 'Other Computer Related Services' code for this contract?

The 'Other Computer Related Services' code (541519) is very broad and can encompass a wide range of IT-related activities beyond traditional construction. For this contract, it likely includes tasks such as network cabling installation, server room preparation, power and cooling infrastructure setup, and potentially integration of specialized IT equipment, all crucial for the commissary's operational readiness.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract of this magnitude for site preparation?

The primary risks with a firm-fixed-price contract of this size ($26.2M) for site preparation include potential cost overruns if the scope is not precisely defined and managed, contractor underperformance leading to delays, and the possibility that the fixed price may not accurately reflect unforeseen site conditions or market fluctuations. The government bears the risk of scope creep or unforeseen issues.

How effectively does the 'full and open competition' method ensure value for money given the broad service category?

Full and open competition is designed to maximize value by encouraging multiple bidders to offer competitive pricing. However, the effectiveness is somewhat diminished when the service category is broad (541519). While competition occurred, the lack of specificity in the service code might have made it harder for bidders to precisely define their offerings and for the agency to conduct granular cost comparisons, potentially impacting the optimal value realization.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HC102815R0025

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6710 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,224,797

Exercised Options: $26,224,797

Current Obligation: $26,224,797

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 182

Total Subaward Amount: $22,672,324

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC102816D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2019-07-01

Current End Date: 2021-01-31

Potential End Date: 2021-01-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2023-09-29

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