Interior's $11.5M IT contract to Mindbank Consulting Group awarded in 2005, ending 2009

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,531,438 ($11.5M)

Contractor: Mindbank Consulting Group of Denver, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2005-04-05

End Date: 2009-09-16

Contract Duration: 1,625 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: TO DENVER/BCT/BDDS

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $11.5 million to MINDBANK CONSULTING GROUP OF DENVER, L.L.C. for work described as: TO DENVER/BCT/BDDS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract's duration of over four years indicates a need for sustained IT support. 3. Awarded as a purchase order, a common mechanism for acquiring goods and services. 4. The NAICS code 541513 points to Computer Facilities Management Services. 5. The contract was not set aside for small businesses. 6. The contract was not awarded to a small business. 7. The contract was awarded in Colorado.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed performance data and comparable contract information from the same period. The total award amount of $11.5 million over approximately four years suggests a moderate annual spend. However, without knowing the specific services rendered and their criticality, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The fact that it was a full and open competition might imply competitive pricing, but actual cost-effectiveness would depend on service delivery quality and efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the method of competition suggests that multiple companies likely vied for this award, allowing the agency to select the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages a wider range of vendors to participate, potentially leading to cost savings.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefited from sustained IT support. Computer facilities management services were delivered to support agency operations. The geographic impact is primarily within Colorado, where the contract was awarded. The contract likely supported federal employees and potentially contractors involved in IT operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality of services provided.
The contract's age means current market rates and technologies may differ significantly.
No information is available on potential cost overruns or contract modifications.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
The contract was awarded to a specific entity, indicating a clear point of accountability.
The duration of the contract suggests a stable and ongoing need for the services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on Computer Facilities Management Services. This is a broad category encompassing the maintenance, operation, and support of IT infrastructure. The market for such services is highly competitive, with numerous large and small businesses offering a wide range of solutions. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting various agency functions, from data management to network operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government contracts for similar IT support services, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and agency.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor was the awardee identified as a small business. This suggests that the procurement was open to businesses of all sizes, and the award was made based on the best value offered, regardless of business size. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a division of the Department of the Interior. As a purchase order, it would be subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency oversight. Accountability would be tied to the terms and conditions of the purchase order and the performance of Mindbank Consulting Group. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reviews are often internal.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Facilities Management
Professional Services Contracts
Department of the Interior IT Spending

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance data
Contract awarded over 15 years ago
Limited information on competition specifics (number of bidders)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $11.5 million to MINDBANK CONSULTING GROUP OF DENVER, L.L.C.. TO DENVER/BCT/BDDS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MINDBANK CONSULTING GROUP OF DENVER, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-04-05. End: 2009-09-16.

What was the specific scope of 'Computer Facilities Management Services' under this contract?

The provided data indicates the NAICS code 541513 for Computer Facilities Management Services. Typically, this encompasses a range of activities related to the operation and maintenance of an organization's computer systems and related electronic computing equipment. This can include services such as network administration, server maintenance, data center operations, help desk support, system monitoring, and ensuring the overall functionality and security of IT infrastructure. Without the original contract statement of work, the precise details of the services rendered by Mindbank Consulting Group remain unspecified, but the NAICS code provides a strong indication of the general service category.

How did the pricing structure of this contract compare to market rates at the time of award?

Assessing the pricing structure's comparison to market rates is difficult without detailed information on the contract's labor categories, hourly rates, and the specific services performed. As this was a 'Labor Hours' type contract, the total cost would be a function of the hours worked multiplied by agreed-upon hourly rates. While the contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' which theoretically drives competitive pricing, the actual value and cost-effectiveness depend on the negotiated rates and the efficiency of service delivery. A comprehensive analysis would require access to the contract's detailed pricing and benchmarking against similar government contracts awarded around 2005 for comparable IT management services.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Mindbank Consulting Group's performance?

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance metrics that were used to evaluate Mindbank Consulting Group's delivery of Computer Facilities Management Services. For a contract of this nature and duration, agencies typically establish metrics related to system uptime, response times for support requests, issue resolution rates, and adherence to security protocols. The absence of this information in the summary prevents a detailed assessment of the contractor's performance quality and the overall success of the contract in meeting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's IT needs.

Were there any significant contract modifications or overruns during the life of this award?

The provided data does not indicate whether there were any significant contract modifications, change orders, or cost overruns during the period of performance for this contract, which ran from April 5, 2005, to September 16, 2009. Purchase orders, like other contract vehicles, can be modified to adjust scope, funding, or timelines. Without access to the contract's award history and modification logs, it is impossible to determine if the initial award amount of $11,531,437.72 was altered or if the project experienced budget challenges. Such information would typically be available through more detailed contract databases or agency procurement records.

What is the historical spending trend for Computer Facilities Management Services by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

The provided data focuses solely on this single contract award. To understand the historical spending trend for Computer Facilities Management Services by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a broader analysis of their procurement history would be necessary. This would involve examining multiple contracts awarded over several fiscal years for similar IT services, identifying the total annual or biannual spending on such services, and noting any significant increases or decreases. This single award represents only a snapshot and does not provide sufficient context to establish a trend for the agency's overall spending in this category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Contractor Details

Address: 1821 BLAKE STREET, DENVER, CO, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,597,680

Exercised Options: $25,537,340

Current Obligation: $11,531,438

Timeline