Interior Dept. Spends $39.3M on Combat Training IT Services with Ravenswood Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,345,187 ($39.3M)
Contractor: Ravenswood Solutions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2015-12-21
End Date: 2016-09-21
Contract Duration: 275 days
Daily Burn Rate: $143.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF EXPORTABLE COMBAT TRAINING CAPABILITIES
Place of Performance
Location: FREMONT, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94539
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $39.3 million to RAVENSWOOD SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF EXPORTABLE COMBAT TRAINING CAPABILITIES Key points: 1. Significant spending on specialized IT services for combat training. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Contract duration of 275 days for a fixed-fee structure. 4. Focus on 'Other Computer Related Services' suggests a niche requirement.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's fixed-fee structure for IT services at $39.3M warrants scrutiny. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is aligned with market rates for similar 'Other Computer Related Services'. Benchmarking against comparable sole-source IT contracts would be necessary.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to drive down the price. The justification for sole-sourcing is critical.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a nearly $40M contract suggests potential overspending and a missed opportunity for better value for taxpayer dollars.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Lack of transparency in the procurement process could mask inefficiencies. Specialized nature of combat training IT might justify unique solutions, but competition should still be explored. Potential for funds to be reallocated to more cost-effective solutions if competition were pursued.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- High contract value
- Lack of competition
- Limited transparency
Positive Signals
- Specific service delivery for combat training
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, particularly specialized areas like combat training, can command high prices. However, benchmarks for 'Other Computer Related Services' are broad. This contract's value is substantial within this category, especially given its sole-source nature.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business, as 'sb' is false. There is no information provided on whether small businesses were subcontracted.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract raises concerns about oversight. A thorough review of the justification for not competing the award and the subsequent performance monitoring is essential to ensure accountability and value for money.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency in procurement
- High contract value without competitive validation
- Need for detailed justification for sole-sourcing
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-the-interior, ca, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $39.3 million to RAVENSWOOD SOLUTIONS, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF EXPORTABLE COMBAT TRAINING CAPABILITIES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAVENSWOOD SOLUTIONS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $39.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-12-21. End: 2016-09-21.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and was it adequately documented?
The provided data does not include the justification for the sole-source award. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs. A thorough review of the contract file would be necessary to ascertain the specific rationale and ensure it meets federal procurement regulations.
How does the $39.3M cost compare to similar sole-source IT contracts for specialized training systems?
Benchmarking this $39.3M cost against similar sole-source IT contracts for specialized training systems is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable procurements. However, the absence of competition means there's no direct market comparison. A detailed cost analysis of the contractor's proposed pricing against industry standards for 'Other Computer Related Services' would be needed to assess value.
What measures were in place to ensure effective service delivery and accountability given the sole-source nature of the contract?
The provided data does not detail the oversight mechanisms for this contract. For sole-source awards, robust oversight is crucial. This would typically involve clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and mechanisms for addressing any deviations from the contract's scope or quality standards. The Department of the Interior's contracting officer would be responsible for ensuring effective management and accountability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: D15PS00494
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: SRI International
Address: 333 RAVENSWOOD AVE, MENLO PARK, CA, 94025
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $40,120,375
Exercised Options: $39,345,187
Current Obligation: $39,345,187
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 12
Total Subaward Amount: $11,119,226
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-12-21
Current End Date: 2016-09-21
Potential End Date: 2016-09-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-07-20
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