Interior Dept. Spends $76M on Other Computer Services via Competitive Delivery Order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $76,182,866 ($76.2M)

Contractor: Synectics for Management Decisions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2005-08-20

End Date: 2013-08-19

Contract Duration: 2,921 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SMDI

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $76.2 million to SYNECTICS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, INC. for work described as: SMDI Key points: 1. Total spending reached $76.18M over 8 years. 2. Contract awarded to SYNECTICS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, INC. 3. Competition was competitive, suggesting potential for price discovery. 4. Sector is IT services, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award value of $76.18M over 8 years averages to approximately $9.5M annually. Without specific unit cost data or a clear comparison to similar services, assessing the pricing's excellence is difficult. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code is broad, making direct benchmarking challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' under a full and open competition. This method generally allows for robust price discovery as multiple vendors can bid, driving down costs. The existence of 7 delivery orders suggests ongoing need and potential for further competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayers likely received a fair price, though the overall value for money depends on the quality and necessity of the services rendered.

Public Impact

Federal agencies rely on IT services for operational efficiency. The duration of the contract (8 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. Spending on 'Other Computer Related Services' highlights the diverse IT needs within government. The use of delivery orders suggests flexibility in acquiring services as needed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or outcomes.
Broad NAICS code makes detailed cost comparison difficult.
Potential for scope creep over an 8-year contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type.
Multiple delivery orders indicate ongoing need and potential for competition.

Sector Analysis

The Department of the Interior's spending falls within the broader IT services sector. Benchmarking for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) is challenging due to its generality. However, government IT spending is substantial, with significant portions allocated to software, hardware, and related services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (sb: false). While this specific award did not benefit small businesses, federal contracting goals often include set-asides for small businesses in other IT service categories.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded competitively, suggesting a degree of oversight in the selection process. However, the long duration and multiple delivery orders warrant ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value and adherence to the original scope and pricing.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of specific service details.
Absence of performance metrics or outcome data.
Broad NAICS code hinders precise benchmarking.
Potential for cost overruns or scope creep over long contract duration.
No small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $76.2 million to SYNECTICS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, INC.. SMDI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SYNECTICS FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $76.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-08-20. End: 2013-08-19.

What specific 'Other Computer Related Services' were provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to the Department of the Interior's mission?

The provided data lacks specifics on the exact services rendered. 'Other Computer Related Services' is a broad category that could encompass anything from IT support and network management to specialized software development or data processing. Understanding the precise nature of these services is crucial for evaluating their necessity and impact on the Department's operational goals and mission effectiveness.

Given the $76M expenditure over 8 years, what was the return on investment or measurable impact of these computer services?

Measuring the return on investment (ROI) for IT services can be complex. Without defined performance metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), or documented outcomes tied to the Department of the Interior's objectives, it's impossible to quantify the ROI. A thorough analysis would require access to performance reports and evidence of how these services improved efficiency, reduced costs, or enabled new capabilities.

How does the average annual spend of approximately $9.5M compare to industry benchmarks for similar 'Other Computer Related Services' in government or the private sector?

Directly comparing the average annual spend of $9.5M to industry benchmarks is difficult due to the broad NAICS code (541519) and the lack of specific service details. Government IT contracts can vary significantly in price based on complexity, security requirements, and vendor. A meaningful comparison would necessitate identifying comparable government contracts or private sector engagements with similar scope and deliverables.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 1901 N MOORE ST STE 900, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $76,182,866

Exercised Options: $76,182,866

Current Obligation: $76,182,866

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4781G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline