Interior's $72M Unisys Contract for Computer Stores: Competitive Delivery Order Awarded
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $71,969,046 ($72.0M)
Contractor: Unisys Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2004-02-25
End Date: 2009-06-30
Contract Duration: 1,952 days
Daily Burn Rate: $36.9K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: UNISYS CORPORATIONS
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $72.0 million to UNISYS CORPORATION for work described as: UNISYS CORPORATIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Unisys Corporation for computer and software stores. 2. A competitive delivery order was used for this acquisition. 3. The contract duration was 1952 days. 4. The total award amount was $71,969,046.22. 5. The contract was not set aside for small businesses.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $72 million over approximately five years suggests a significant investment. Without specific benchmarks for similar computer and software store contracts, assessing its value relative to the market is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
This was a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a more efficient price compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.
Public Impact
Government agencies rely on computer and software stores for essential IT infrastructure. The duration of the contract indicates a long-term need for these services. The competitive award process is a positive sign for efficient government spending. The lack of small business participation may warrant further investigation into market accessibility.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation
- Long contract duration may lead to price increases if not managed effectively
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process
- Clear vendor identified (Unisys Corporation)
Sector Analysis
The IT sector, particularly computer and software stores, is crucial for government operations. Spending benchmarks vary widely based on the specific services and products procured, but large, multi-year contracts like this represent substantial IT investments.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data indicates no small business participation. This could suggest that the scope of work was not conducive to small business involvement or that opportunities were not effectively advertised to them.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of a competitive delivery order implies a structured procurement process. Further oversight would involve reviewing the specific evaluation criteria and ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations throughout the contract's lifecycle.
Related Government Programs
- Computer and Software Stores
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for overpayment if pricing was not actively managed.
- Lack of small business participation may indicate missed opportunities for economic development.
- Long contract duration increases risk of technology obsolescence.
- Need for detailed review of procurement process to ensure fairness and competition.
Tags
computer-and-software-stores, department-of-the-interior, dc, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $72.0 million to UNISYS CORPORATION. UNISYS CORPORATIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNISYS CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $72.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-02-25. End: 2009-06-30.
What specific types of computer hardware and software were procured under this contract, and how did their pricing compare to market rates at the time of award?
The provided data does not specify the exact hardware and software procured. To assess value, a detailed breakdown of items and their unit costs would be necessary, compared against contemporary market prices from IT vendors and distributors. This would reveal if the government secured favorable pricing or paid a premium.
What were the primary factors that led to this contract not being set aside for small businesses, and were there efforts to encourage small business participation?
The decision not to set aside the contract for small businesses could stem from the specialized nature of the required computer and software offerings, or the perceived capability of large businesses like Unisys. Agencies typically assess market research to determine if small businesses can fulfill the requirement. Without specific documentation, it's unclear if outreach efforts were made to ensure small business awareness and opportunity.
Given the 1952-day duration, what mechanisms were in place to ensure the government received up-to-date technology and competitive pricing throughout the contract's life?
Long-term contracts often include provisions for technology refresh and price adjustments. For this contract, mechanisms might have included periodic reviews of pricing against market trends, options for upgrading technology, or clauses allowing for renegotiation if significant technological advancements occurred. The effectiveness of these mechanisms would depend on the specific contract terms and active contract management by the Department of the Interior.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Retail Trade › Electronics and Appliance Stores › Computer and Software Stores
Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Contractor Details
Address: 8008 WESTPARK DR, MC LEAN, VA, 90
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $71,969,046
Exercised Options: $71,969,046
Current Obligation: $71,969,046
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F0343J
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-02-25
Current End Date: 2009-06-30
Potential End Date: 2009-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-06-27
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