Marine Corps awards $17.7M for enterprise network support, with SDA Solutions LLC managing IT services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,722,033 ($17.7M)

Contractor: SDA Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-03-22

End Date: 2026-03-21

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND ENTERPRISE NETWORK (RCEN) SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: QUANTICO, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22134

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.7 million to SDA SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND ENTERPRISE NETWORK (RCEN) SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.7M over five years suggests a significant investment in maintaining critical IT infrastructure. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government, shifting performance risk to the contractor. 4. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) allows for sustained support and potential for long-term IT strategy alignment. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 points to custom computer programming services, a core IT function. 6. The contract's focus on enterprise network support highlights its importance for the Marine Corps' operational readiness.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.7 million over five years averages to approximately $3.54 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts for large federal agencies is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests the government has negotiated a price for defined services, aiming for value. The number of bids received (10) indicates a degree of market interest, which can contribute to fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. A total of 10 offers were received, suggesting a healthy level of competition for this requirement. The presence of multiple bidders generally supports price discovery and allows the government to select the offer that provides the best value, considering both price and technical factors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down the price compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. It ensures that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently by selecting a contractor based on merit and competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential IT support for its enterprise network. This contract ensures the continued operation and maintenance of critical network infrastructure supporting MCRC's mission. The services delivered are vital for enabling communication, data management, and operational efficiency within the MCRC. The geographic impact is likely focused on locations where MCRC operates, potentially nationwide or globally, depending on their network footprint. Workforce implications may include the need for skilled IT professionals to manage and maintain the network, both within the contractor's organization and potentially within the MCRC itself.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the contractor's proprietary solutions become deeply integrated.
Risk of scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed throughout the contract lifecycle.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical network infrastructure could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
Contract duration allows for stable, long-term support of essential IT services.
The contractor, SDA Solutions LLC, is selected, implying they met the government's technical and performance requirements.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a vast and critical component of federal spending. This contract falls under custom computer programming services, a sub-sector focused on developing and implementing tailored software and network solutions. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, with significant spending allocated to maintaining and modernizing its IT infrastructure across all branches. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT support contracts for other large military commands or federal agencies with similar network complexities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. The prime contractor, SDA Solutions LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. This means opportunities for small businesses would primarily exist as subcontractors to SDA Solutions LLC. The extent of small business subcontracting will depend on SDA Solutions LLC's own subcontracting plan and the specific requirements of the contract, which could impact the broader small business IT ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Navy. Performance monitoring, adherence to contract terms, and quality assurance are key oversight functions. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG, where award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Enterprise IT Services
Marine Corps IT Modernization Programs
Network Infrastructure Support Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services
Federal IT Services Acquisition

Risk Flags

Potential for cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Risk of contractor performance issues impacting critical operations.
Dependence on a single vendor for essential IT infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.7 million to SDA SOLUTIONS LLC. MARINE CORPS RECRUITING COMMAND ENTERPRISE NETWORK (RCEN) SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SDA SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-22. End: 2026-03-21.

What is the track record of SDA Solutions LLC in performing similar federal IT support contracts?

Assessing SDA Solutions LLC's track record requires a deeper dive into federal procurement databases beyond the provided data. While this award indicates they were selected for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command Enterprise Network (RCEN) Support Services, it doesn't detail their past performance on similar contracts. A comprehensive review would involve examining their contract history, including past performance evaluations, any reported disputes or terminations, and the types and values of previous IT support or network services contracts they have held with the federal government. This information is crucial for understanding their experience level and reliability in managing complex enterprise networks.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar enterprise network support contracts within the Department of Defense?

The annual cost for this contract is approximately $3.54 million ($17.7M / 5 years). To benchmark this effectively, we would need to compare it to contracts for enterprise network support services awarded to similar-sized organizations within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies. Key comparison points would include the scope of services (e.g., network design, maintenance, cybersecurity, help desk), the number of users supported, the geographic reach of the network, and the contract type. Without these specific details, a precise comparison is difficult. However, given the critical nature of network support for a command like MCRC, this figure appears within a plausible range for comprehensive, multi-year IT services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks include potential performance failures by the contractor (SDA Solutions LLC), leading to network disruptions for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command. Another risk is cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep. Cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the managed network also represent a significant risk. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the COR, clear performance metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), regular performance reviews, and strict cybersecurity protocols mandated by the contract. The competitive award process itself helps mitigate the risk of selecting an unqualified vendor.

How effective is the current enterprise network support in meeting the operational needs of the Marine Corps Recruiting Command?

The effectiveness of the current enterprise network support is directly tied to the performance of SDA Solutions LLC under this contract. While the award signifies that the government believes this contract will meet its needs, ongoing assessment is crucial. Effectiveness can be measured through metrics such as network uptime, response times for technical support, successful implementation of network upgrades, and the overall impact on the recruiting command's ability to conduct its mission. User satisfaction surveys and feedback from MCRC leadership would provide qualitative insights into the network's performance and the support services provided.

What have been the historical spending patterns for enterprise network support services by the Marine Corps Recruiting Command prior to this award?

To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze procurement data for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) over previous fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts for similar network support services, noting the awarded amounts, contract durations, and the contractors involved. Analyzing these patterns would reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether there has been a shift in contractors or contract types. Such analysis helps contextualize the current $17.7 million award within the MCRC's long-term IT investment strategy and budget allocation for network infrastructure.

What specific custom computer programming services are included under this contract, and how do they align with MCRC's strategic IT goals?

The NAICS code 541511 indicates custom computer programming services, which could encompass a wide range of activities such as developing new software applications, modifying existing systems, integrating different software platforms, and potentially database programming. For the Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC), these services likely support the development or enhancement of systems used for managing recruitment data, applicant tracking, communication platforms, or internal operational tools. Aligning these services with MCRC's strategic IT goals would involve ensuring that the programming efforts directly contribute to objectives like improving data accuracy, enhancing user experience, increasing system efficiency, or bolstering cybersecurity posture within their recruiting operations.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: M0026320Q1015

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3751 STONEWALL MANOR DR, TRIANGLE, VA, 22172

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,768,787

Exercised Options: $17,722,033

Current Obligation: $17,722,033

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA20D001S

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline