DoD's $27.4M IGF contract for transportation IT services awarded to DPRA Inc. shows fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,413,806 ($27.4M)

Contractor: Dpra Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-02-21

End Date: 2018-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,682 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF JOINT FLOW AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION

Place of Performance

Location: SCOTT AFB, SAINT CLAIR County, ILLINOIS, 62225

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.4 million to DPRA INCORPORATED for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF JOINT FLOW AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable when benchmarked against similar IT services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration and task orders indicate a stable, long-term need. 4. Performance was within the expected range for custom computer programming services. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT services sector for the Department of Defense. 6. No small business set-aside was applied, but subcontracting opportunities may exist.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $27.4 million over its period of performance appears to be a fair assessment for custom computer programming services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support within the Department of Defense suggests that the pricing was competitive. The use of labor hours as the contract type allows for flexibility and ensures payment for actual work performed, which can be cost-effective if managed properly. The number of task orders (4) and the duration (1682 days) indicate a sustained need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while initial sources may have been limited, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. The presence of 4 task orders suggests multiple opportunities for bidding or task order competition within the contract. This level of competition generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives services at market-competitive rates.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it helps to drive down costs and ensure that public funds are used efficiently. It reduces the risk of overpayment and encourages contractors to offer their best pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense, specifically USTRANSCOM, benefits from enhanced IT capabilities for transportation logistics. Custom computer programming services were delivered to support the IGF JOINT FLOW AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION. The geographic impact is primarily within Illinois, where the contractor is located. The contract supports a workforce skilled in custom software development and IT services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in custom programming projects if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single primary contractor (DPRA INCORPORATED) for critical IT systems.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants a review of the initial source exclusion rationale.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Contract duration suggests a stable and predictable need for services.
The use of labor hours allows for adaptive resource allocation based on project demands.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies like the Department of Defense being major consumers. Contracts of this nature are crucial for maintaining and upgrading complex systems that support national security and logistical operations. Comparable spending benchmarks for custom software development within the federal government often range widely based on complexity and duration, but this contract appears to be within a typical range for a multi-year, specialized IT system.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific small business subcontracting goals explicitly stated in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses would likely arise through subcontracting by the prime contractor, DPRA INCORPORATED. The extent of these subcontracting opportunities would depend on DPRA's internal capabilities and their strategy for fulfilling the contract requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration office within USTRANSCOM. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and financial oversight are standard mechanisms. Given the nature of IT services, regular reviews of deliverables, system performance, and adherence to technical specifications would be expected. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

Defense Logistics Agency IT Services
USTRANSCOM IT Modernization Programs
Custom Software Development Contracts
Federal Transportation IT Systems

Risk Flags

Contract awarded after exclusion of sources
Potential for single-contractor dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.4 million to DPRA INCORPORATED. IGF::OT::IGF JOINT FLOW AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DPRA INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (USTRANSCOM).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-02-21. End: 2018-09-30.

What was the specific rationale for excluding certain sources before the 'full and open competition' phase?

The data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This classification suggests that initially, a limited number of sources were considered or solicited. The rationale for excluding other sources at that preliminary stage would typically be documented in the contract file. Common reasons include specific technical requirements, existing system integration needs, or prior performance on related systems that justified a more targeted initial solicitation. However, the subsequent 'full and open competition' phase implies that the exclusion was not absolute and that a broader competitive process was ultimately employed to ensure the best value was obtained for the government. A detailed review of the contract's Justification and Approval (J&A) document would be necessary to ascertain the precise reasons for the initial source exclusion.

How does the total contract value of approximately $27.4 million compare to similar custom computer programming services contracts within the DoD?

Benchmarking the $27.4 million total contract value requires comparing it against similar custom computer programming services contracts awarded by the Department of Defense (DoD) over comparable periods. Contracts for custom software development can vary significantly based on complexity, duration, and the specific technologies involved. For a contract spanning over 1600 days (approximately 4.5 years) with multiple task orders, this value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized IT development supporting a significant operational system like the IGF. However, without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts, including specific scope, deliverables, and pricing structures, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Factors such as the level of customization, integration with legacy systems, and the criticality of the application would influence the cost.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the performance of DPRA INCORPORATED on this contract?

While the provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this specific contract, typical performance metrics for custom computer programming services often include adherence to project timelines, successful delivery of software functionalities as per specifications, system uptime and reliability post-deployment, defect resolution rates, and user satisfaction. For a system like the IGF JOINT FLOW AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION, KPIs might also focus on the efficiency and accuracy of data processing, the system's ability to support logistical operations, and its integration capabilities with other defense systems. The contracting officer's representative (COR) and the program management office would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs throughout the contract's lifecycle, often documented in performance reports.

What is the historical spending pattern for the IGF JOINT FLOW AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION, and how does this contract fit within it?

The provided data reflects a single contract award for the IGF JOINT FLOW AND ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION to DPRA INCORPORATED, valued at $27.4 million and spanning from February 2014 to September 2018. This suggests that this contract represents a significant, potentially primary, investment in the development or sustainment of this specific system during that period. Without historical data on prior contracts for this system or subsequent contracts, it's difficult to establish a comprehensive spending pattern. However, the duration and value indicate a substantial commitment. Future spending patterns would depend on system upgrades, maintenance needs, and potential replacements or enhancements to the IGF system.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on DPRA INCORPORATED for this critical transportation IT system?

Potential risks associated with relying on DPRA INCORPORATED for the IGF system include contractor performance issues, such as delays, cost overruns, or failure to meet technical specifications. There's also the risk of key personnel departing, leading to knowledge loss. Dependence on a single contractor for a critical system can create vulnerabilities if the contractor faces financial instability or undergoes significant organizational changes. Furthermore, if the contract is nearing its end without adequate transition planning, there's a risk of service disruption. The 'after exclusion of sources' aspect, while resolved by full and open competition, might hint at initial complexities in finding qualified providers, suggesting potential inherent risks in the system's requirements or the market.

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HTC71113RD009

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10215 TECH DR STE 201, KNOXVILLE, TN, 37932

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,922,537

Exercised Options: $27,413,806

Current Obligation: $27,413,806

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline