DoD's $4M contract for AnthroTech's computing infrastructure services awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,010,183 ($4.0M)

Contractor: Anthrotech Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-06-07

End Date: 2026-06-06

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BASE YEAR - ANTHROPOMETRY ANALYSIS

Place of Performance

Location: YELLOW SPRINGS, GREENE County, OHIO, 45387

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $4.0 million to ANTHROTECH INC for work described as: BASE YEAR - ANTHROPOMETRY ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to AnthroTech Inc. for computing infrastructure services. 2. The contract has a base year value of approximately $4 million. 3. Awarded by the Department of the Navy, part of the Department of Defense. 4. Service category is Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services. 5. Contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs for the government. 6. Duration of the contract is 1095 days (3 years). 7. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The base year value of $4,010,182.88 for computing infrastructure services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for data processing and web hosting services suggests this pricing is within the expected range for a 3-year definitive contract. The firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the Department of the Navy, mitigating risk of cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The presence of 'full and open' suggests multiple bidders were likely considered, promoting price discovery. However, the 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the specific reasons for exclusion to ensure no undue restrictions were placed on competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service quality compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from essential computing infrastructure and data processing services. This contract supports the operational readiness and technological capabilities of naval forces. The services provided are critical for data management, web hosting, and related IT functions. The contract's geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas served by the Department of the Navy. Workforce implications may include support roles for AnthroTech Inc. and potential integration with Navy IT personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited transparency if 'exclusion of sources' criteria were not clearly justified.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical computing infrastructure services.
Risk of vendor lock-in if switching providers is complex or costly.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition generally leads to better value.
Award to an established contractor (AnthroTech Inc.) suggests a degree of reliability.

Sector Analysis

The market for Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services is a significant and growing sector within the federal IT landscape. Agencies increasingly rely on robust cloud and data solutions to manage vast amounts of information and support complex operations. Spending in this category is driven by modernization efforts, cybersecurity needs, and the demand for scalable IT resources. Comparable contracts often range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scale and complexity of services required.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through this award. The focus is on full and open competition, which may or may not involve small business participation as subcontractors to the prime contractor, AnthroTech Inc. The absence of set-asides means small businesses would need to compete directly or seek opportunities through larger prime contractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The Inspector General for the Department of Defense would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense IT Services Contracts
Navy Cloud Computing Services
Data Processing and Hosting Contracts
Federal IT Infrastructure Support

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $4.0 million to ANTHROTECH INC. BASE YEAR - ANTHROPOMETRY ANALYSIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANTHROTECH INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-07. End: 2026-06-06.

What is AnthroTech Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly with the Department of Defense?

AnthroTech Inc. has a history of federal contracting, as indicated by this award from the Department of the Navy. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their past performance ratings, previous contract values, and any documented issues or commendations would be necessary. Examining their performance on similar IT infrastructure, data processing, or web hosting contracts would provide valuable context. A review of contract databases and performance assessment reports (if publicly available) would reveal their reliability, adherence to schedules, and quality of service in prior engagements. Without specific past performance data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their established reliability beyond the current award.

How does the $4.01 million base year cost compare to similar federal contracts for computing infrastructure?

The base year cost of approximately $4.01 million for computing infrastructure services provided by AnthroTech Inc. appears to be within a reasonable range when benchmarked against similar federal contracts. The category 'Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services' is broad, but typical contracts of this nature, especially for a 3-year duration (1095 days), can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars annually. Factors influencing cost include the specific services offered (e.g., level of support, data storage capacity, processing power), security requirements, and geographic scope. The firm fixed price nature of this contract also aids in cost predictability. Further comparison would require detailed service level agreements and scope of work from comparable contracts.

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

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential vendor lock-in, dependence on AnthroTech Inc. for critical IT infrastructure, and the possibility of performance issues if the contractor fails to meet service level agreements. The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition also presents a potential risk if the exclusions were not fully justified, potentially limiting optimal price discovery. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed price contract, which incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently within budget. The Department of the Navy will likely implement performance monitoring mechanisms, regular reviews, and clear contract terms with defined remedies for non-performance. The competitive nature of the award, even with exclusions, should also drive performance.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' approach in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' approach aims to balance broad competition with specific requirements that might necessitate excluding certain vendors. Ideally, it ensures a competitive environment that drives down prices and improves service quality, thereby benefiting taxpayers. However, the effectiveness hinges on the justification for excluding sources. If exclusions are arbitrary or overly restrictive, they can limit competition and potentially lead to higher costs or less optimal solutions. Transparency regarding the reasons for exclusion is crucial for taxpayers to assess whether the competition truly maximized value. When executed properly, it can yield competitive pricing while ensuring only qualified and appropriate vendors participate.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar computing infrastructure services within the Department of the Navy?

Historical spending patterns for similar computing infrastructure services within the Department of the Navy are likely substantial, reflecting the agency's extensive IT needs. Agencies like the Navy continuously invest in data processing, web hosting, and related services to maintain operational capabilities, modernize systems, and enhance cybersecurity. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on major system upgrades, cloud migration initiatives, and evolving technological requirements. Analyzing past contracts for similar services would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of providers utilized. This specific $4.01 million base year contract is one component of a larger, ongoing investment in IT infrastructure by the Navy.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: M6785423R1001

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 503 XENIA AVE, YELLOW SPRINGS, OH, 45387

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,010,183

Exercised Options: $4,010,183

Current Obligation: $4,010,183

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline