Interior Department's $23.7M contract for technical assistance awarded to SCITOR CORPORATION shows fair value with 2 bidders
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,700,557 ($23.7M)
Contractor: Scitor Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2012-08-01
End Date: 2015-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,247 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CL,CT::IGF DOD EA4SS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SETA) SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20330
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $23.7 million to SCITOR CORPORATION for work described as: IGF::CL,CT::IGF DOD EA4SS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SETA) SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract achieved fair value, with the winning bid falling within a reasonable range compared to other bids. 2. Competition was robust, with two bidders vying for the contract, indicating a healthy market for these services. 3. The contract duration of over three years suggests a need for sustained support in systems engineering and technical assistance. 4. The services provided are crucial for the Department of the Interior's operational efficiency and technical development. 5. The contractor, SCITOR CORPORATION, has a track record that warrants further examination for performance consistency. 6. The contract's focus on technical assistance aligns with broader government efforts to modernize and secure IT infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's total value of $23.7 million over approximately three years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar systems engineering and technical assistance contracts within the federal government indicates that the pricing for this award was competitive. While specific cost breakdowns are not available, the presence of two bidders and the final award price suggest that the Department of the Interior secured services at a reasonable market rate, avoiding significant overpayment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. Two bids were received, indicating a reasonable level of competition for this specialized service. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of competitors could potentially drive prices down further and increase the range of innovative solutions offered.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process, even with two bidders, suggests that taxpayer dollars were used efficiently by allowing market forces to influence pricing. This approach helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for essential technical support services.
Public Impact
The Department of the Interior benefits from enhanced systems engineering and technical expertise, supporting its mission-critical operations. The contract delivers essential technical assistance, likely contributing to the modernization and maintenance of the department's IT systems. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the Department of the Interior's headquarters are located. The contract supports specialized technical roles, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if technical expertise becomes highly specialized with SCITOR CORPORATION.
- Risk of scope creep if the technical assistance requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical technical functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
- The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term need for these services, allowing for focused expertise development.
- The contractor, SCITOR CORPORATION, was selected through a competitive process, implying they met the technical and cost requirements.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized support services. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, driven by the need for expertise in areas like engineering, research, and management consulting. Comparable contracts often involve IT modernization, cybersecurity, and program management support across various agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business, and opportunities for small businesses may be limited unless SCITOR CORPORATION voluntarily engages them for specific tasks.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's program management and contracting offices. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG, which provide basic award information. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse identified.
Related Government Programs
- Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA)
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of the Interior IT Support Contracts
- Federal IT Services Procurement
Risk Flags
- Contract duration exceeds 3 years
- Limited number of bidders received
- Potential for contractor dependency
Tags
professional-scientific-and-technical-services, department-of-the-interior, district-of-columbia, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, systems-engineering-and-technical-assistance, labor-hours, medium-value-contract, it-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $23.7 million to SCITOR CORPORATION. IGF::CL,CT::IGF DOD EA4SS SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SETA) SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCITOR CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-08-01. End: 2015-12-31.
What is the track record of SCITOR CORPORATION in delivering similar systems engineering and technical assistance services to the federal government?
SCITOR CORPORATION, prior to its acquisition by SAIC in 2017, had a history of providing various technical and engineering services to government agencies. Their involvement in SETA contracts suggests experience in supporting complex programs. However, a detailed analysis of their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and technical execution, would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities. Specific data on past performance ratings, if available through government databases or agency reports, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness in delivering SETA support.
How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar systems engineering and technical assistance services?
Benchmarking the awarded price of $23.7 million over approximately three years requires comparing it to similar federal contracts for SETA support. Given that the contract was awarded under full and open competition with two bidders, it suggests a competitive pricing environment. Without access to detailed cost breakdowns or a broader market survey of hourly rates for comparable skill sets, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the fact that the award was made implies that the price was deemed fair and reasonable by the contracting officers, likely falling within an acceptable range relative to other proposals received and historical data for similar services.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?
While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for SETA contracts include adherence to project timelines, successful completion of technical milestones, quality of deliverables (e.g., reports, analyses, recommendations), responsiveness to agency needs, and effective management of resources. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) would outline these specific metrics and the methods for evaluating SCITOR CORPORATION's performance. Regular progress reviews and formal performance assessments would be conducted by the Department of the Interior's contracting officer's representative (COR) to ensure compliance and satisfaction.
What is the historical spending pattern for systems engineering and technical assistance within the Department of the Interior?
Historical spending on SETA services within the Department of the Interior can be substantial, reflecting the complexity and technical demands of managing vast natural resources, land, and water systems. Agencies within the DOI often require specialized expertise for IT infrastructure, environmental analysis, geological surveys, and program management. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services would reveal trends in spending levels, dominant contractors, and the types of technical support most frequently procured. This contract represents a portion of that broader spending, indicating a consistent need for external technical expertise to augment internal capabilities.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on SCITOR CORPORATION for critical technical assistance?
Potential risks include over-reliance on a single contractor, leading to a lack of internal knowledge retention or difficulty in switching providers if performance issues arise. There's also the risk of scope creep, where the services required expand beyond the original contract's intent, potentially increasing costs. Furthermore, if SCITOR CORPORATION's technical expertise is highly specialized and not widely available, the government could face challenges in finding alternative solutions or negotiating future contracts. Ensuring clear contract management, regular performance reviews, and maintaining government oversight are crucial to mitigating these risks.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Science Applications International Corporation (UEI: 078745061)
Address: 2251 CORPORATE PARK DR STE 300, HERNDON, VA, 20171
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,700,557
Exercised Options: $23,700,557
Current Obligation: $23,700,557
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: IND12PC00461
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-08-01
Current End Date: 2015-12-31
Potential End Date: 2015-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-09-13
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