DoD's $13.5M COBRA SERVICES contract with The Columbia Group Inc. awarded without competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,516,557 ($13.5M)
Contractor: THE Columbia Group Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-09-28
End Date: 2023-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,827 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: COBRA SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20003
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $13.5 million to THE COLUMBIA GROUP INC for work described as: COBRA SERVICES Key points: 1. High contract value ($13.5M) awarded to a single vendor. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and value. 3. Long contract duration (5 years) suggests a need for ongoing services. 4. IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming, is a critical area for government operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's value of $13.5M over five years, awarded without competition, makes a direct pricing assessment difficult. Benchmarking against similar custom programming services is challenging without competitive data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these services, impacting taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying for custom computer programming services due to the lack of competitive bidding. The long-term nature of the contract could lock the government into a potentially suboptimal solution. Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT services poses a risk if the vendor underperforms or faces issues.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- High contract value
- Long contract duration
- Lack of transparency in pricing
Positive Signals
- Contract supports critical IT services for the Department of the Navy.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending in this area is substantial across government agencies, with competitive bidding typically driving better value.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Columbia Group Inc., and there is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this sole-source award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure the Department of Defense received fair pricing and adequate services. Further review of the justification for not competing the contract is recommended.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- High contract value raises concerns about potential overpayment.
- Long contract duration may limit flexibility.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-defense, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $13.5 million to THE COLUMBIA GROUP INC. COBRA SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE COLUMBIA GROUP 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 $13.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-09-28. End: 2023-09-29.
What was the justification for awarding this significant IT services contract on a sole-source basis, and was a thorough market analysis conducted to ensure no viable competitive alternatives existed?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of market availability. Without access to the specific contract file and its associated documentation, it's impossible to definitively state the justification. However, for a contract of this value and duration in the IT sector, a comprehensive market analysis should have been performed to explore all potential competitive options before resorting to a sole-source procurement.
How does the cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar custom computer programming services, especially considering the lack of competitive bidding?
Directly comparing the cost is challenging due to the sole-source nature of the award and the specific, potentially unique, nature of 'COBRA SERVICES'. Without competitive bids, there's no market validation of the price. A thorough review would involve comparing labor rates, overhead, and profit margins against industry standards for comparable custom programming projects, adjusted for contract type and duration, to identify potential overpricing.
What performance metrics and oversight mechanisms are in place to ensure the Department of the Navy receives effective and high-quality custom computer programming services under this contract?
Effective oversight for a sole-source contract relies heavily on clearly defined performance work statements (PWS), key performance indicators (KPIs), and robust government quality assurance surveillance plans (QASP). The Department of the Navy should have established specific metrics to track the vendor's performance, delivery timelines, and the quality of the code and services provided. Regular reviews and communication channels are crucial to ensure accountability and address any issues promptly.
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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: N0002418R6426
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6303 LITTLE RIVER TPKE STE 210, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22312
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,797,676
Exercised Options: $25,987,938
Current Obligation: $13,516,557
Actual Outlays: $2,009,265
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-09-28
Current End Date: 2023-09-29
Potential End Date: 2023-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-15
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