Army National Guard's MODS contract awarded to ASM Research, LLC for over $30M, spanning nearly 8 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,106,175 ($30.1M)

Contractor: ASM Research, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2004-11-01

End Date: 2012-02-12

Contract Duration: 2,659 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: MEDICAL OPERATIONAL DATA SYSTEM (MODS)- ARMY NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $30.1 million to ASM RESEARCH, LLC for work described as: MEDICAL OPERATIONAL DATA SYSTEM (MODS)- ARMY NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU Key points: 1. Value for money assessed by comparing contract performance against similar IT service contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include the contract's duration and the use of Time and Materials pricing. 4. Performance context is framed by the delivery of IT services for the Army National Guard. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader IT services market for defense agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of over $30 million across nearly 8 years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar IT operational data systems for military branches would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. The use of Time and Materials pricing, while flexible, can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, potentially impacting overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 4 bids suggests a reasonable level of competition, which typically aids in price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government compared to sole-source or limited competitions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation from multiple providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Army National Guard, receiving enhanced IT operational data management. Services delivered include IT support and related computer services crucial for military operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting the Army National Guard's domestic operations. Workforce implications may involve IT professionals supporting the MODS system, both within the government and the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to unpredictable costs if not managed tightly.
Long contract duration (nearly 8 years) increases the risk of technology obsolescence or scope creep.
The specific nature of 'Other Computer Related Services' could imply a broad scope, potentially leading to undefined requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
Multiple bidders (4) indicate market interest and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract served a critical function for the Army National Guard's operational data.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services for a defense agency. The market for such services is substantial, driven by the ongoing need for robust data management and IT infrastructure within government and military organizations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale IT system development and support contracts awarded to defense entities.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through set-asides is minimal. However, the prime contractor, ASM Research, LLC, may have subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, depending on their subcontracting plan, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Interior and the Army National Guard. Accountability measures would be tied to contract performance clauses and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Army IT Modernization Programs
National Guard Bureau IT Support Contracts
Defense Department Data Systems
Federal Civilian IT Services
Information Technology Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to broad NAICS code.
Risk of cost overruns associated with Time and Materials pricing.
Technology obsolescence over the contract's long duration.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical operational data systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $30.1 million to ASM RESEARCH, LLC. MEDICAL OPERATIONAL DATA SYSTEM (MODS)- ARMY NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASM RESEARCH, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-11-01. End: 2012-02-12.

What was the specific nature of the 'MEDICAL OPERATIONAL DATA SYSTEM (MODS)' and its criticality to the Army National Guard?

The MEDICAL OPERATIONAL DATA SYSTEM (MODS) was designed to manage and support medical data operations for the Army National Guard. Its criticality lies in providing essential information for personnel readiness, healthcare management, and logistical support within the National Guard. Effective operational data systems are crucial for timely decision-making, resource allocation, and ensuring the well-being of service members. The system likely encompassed patient records, medical readiness status, and potentially deployment-related health information, all vital for military effectiveness.

How did the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure impact the final cost compared to a fixed-price contract?

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing allows the government to pay for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or hourly rate. This structure offers flexibility, especially when project scope is uncertain or evolving. However, it carries a higher risk of cost escalation for the government, as there's less incentive for the contractor to control costs compared to a fixed-price contract. Without detailed cost breakdowns and performance data, it's difficult to definitively say if T&M resulted in higher or lower costs than a hypothetical fixed-price alternative for MODS, but the inherent risk of overruns is greater with T&M.

What was the track record of ASM Research, LLC with similar large-scale government IT contracts prior to or during this award?

ASM Research, LLC, prior to and during the period of this contract (2004-2012), was a significant player in the government IT contracting space. They had a history of working with various federal agencies, including defense and civilian departments, on large-scale IT solutions. Their portfolio often included system integration, software development, and IT support services. Assessing their specific track record for MODS would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any contract disputes, and their success in delivering similar complex systems within budget and schedule constraints for other government clients.

Were there any significant performance issues or contract modifications that altered the scope or cost of the MODS contract over its duration?

Detailed public records on specific performance issues or the extent of contract modifications for the MODS contract awarded to ASM Research, LLC are limited. However, given the contract's duration of nearly eight years and its Time and Materials nature, it is plausible that modifications occurred to adapt to evolving requirements or technological changes within the Army National Guard's IT infrastructure. Significant performance issues typically result in contract disputes, corrective action requests, or termination, none of which are prominently indicated in summary data. Further investigation into contract modification history and performance reports would be needed for a definitive answer.

How does the $30.1 million total award for MODS compare to other IT system development contracts for military branches during the 2004-2012 period?

The $30.1 million total award for the MODS contract is a moderate-sized IT system development and support contract for the period of 2004-2012. During this era, the Department of Defense was heavily invested in IT modernization, with many programs costing hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars (e.g., enterprise resource planning systems, network infrastructure upgrades). Compared to these mega-projects, MODS appears to be a more focused system. However, when compared to IT contracts for specific departmental functions or smaller branches, $30 million represents a substantial investment, indicating the importance of the MODS system to the Army National Guard's operations.

What were the primary risks associated with the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519) in the context of this contract?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is broad and encompasses a wide range of IT activities not specified elsewhere. The primary risk associated with this code in a contract like MODS is the potential for undefined or expanding scope. Because it's not specific (like 'Software Development' or 'Network Management'), requirements can be interpreted broadly, leading to scope creep if not meticulously managed through clear statements of work and change control processes. This ambiguity can also make it challenging to benchmark performance and costs accurately against more specialized IT service contracts.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Accenture Public Limited Company (UEI: 985015354)

Address: 3025 HAMAKER CT STE 100, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,106,175

Exercised Options: $30,106,175

Current Obligation: $30,106,175

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4782G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline