DoD's $10.7M contract for directory services awarded to Primavera Systems, Inc. raises questions about value and competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,679,437 ($10.7M)
Contractor: Primavera Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2002-05-29
End Date: 2008-11-29
Contract Duration: 2,376 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20007
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $10.7 million to PRIMAVERA SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract's significant value of $10.7 million for directory services warrants scrutiny. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, but the exclusion of sources suggests potential limitations. 3. The long duration (2002-2008) and fixed-price nature may impact cost-effectiveness over time. 4. Analysis of the specific services provided is crucial to assess true value for money.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $10.7 million for directory and mailing list publishing services appears high without detailed service breakdown. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized directory services is difficult without more granular data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' While full and open competition is generally positive, the exclusion of sources implies that certain potential bidders were not considered, potentially limiting the price discovery process.
Taxpayer Impact: The $10.7 million expenditure represents taxpayer funds. The effectiveness and necessity of these directory services over the contract's six-year period will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Taxpayers funded a significant contract for directory and mailing list services over six years. The exclusion of sources in the competition process may have limited the range of solutions and pricing available. The long-term nature of the contract raises questions about the adaptability of the services to evolving needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- High contract value for seemingly standard services.
- Exclusion of sources in competition.
- Long contract duration.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition was the initial method.
Sector Analysis
The IT sector, specifically directory and mailing list services, can vary widely in cost. This contract falls under IT services, and its value should be benchmarked against similar government or commercial contracts for specialized data management and distribution.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's long duration and the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrant review by oversight bodies to ensure proper justification and value for taxpayer money. Auditing the service delivery and performance metrics would be essential.
Related Government Programs
- Directory and Mailing List Publishers
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Navy Programs
Risk Flags
- High contract value.
- Exclusion of sources.
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of detailed service description.
- Potential for price escalation or outdated services over time.
Tags
directory-and-mailing-list-publishers, department-of-defense, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $10.7 million to PRIMAVERA SYSTEMS, INC.. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PRIMAVERA SYSTEMS, 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 $10.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2002-05-29. End: 2008-11-29.
What specific services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with the Department of the Navy's mission requirements?
The contract was for 'Directory and Mailing List Publishers' (NAICS 511140). Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the exact nature of the services. These could range from maintaining internal directories to managing external mailing lists for outreach or operational purposes. The alignment with mission requirements would depend on the specific application and strategic importance of the data managed and distributed.
What was the justification for excluding certain sources during the full and open competition process?
The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific capabilities, security clearances, or unique qualifications are required that only a limited number of vendors possess. For directory services, this might relate to handling sensitive data, specific integration requirements with existing DoD systems, or proprietary technology. A thorough review of the solicitation documents and award justification would be necessary to understand the rationale.
How was the firm fixed price determined, and did it reflect fair and reasonable pricing over the contract's six-year term?
Firm fixed-price contracts aim to establish a set price for a defined scope of work. The initial pricing would have been based on proposals submitted during the competition. However, assessing fairness and reasonableness over a six-year period requires examining contract modifications, performance data, and market trends during that time. Without access to the pricing details and negotiation history, it's challenging to make a definitive judgment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › Directory and Mailing List Publishers
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Offers Received: 10
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Address: THREE BALA PLAZA, SUITE 70, BALA CYNWYD, PA, 19004
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2002-05-29
Current End Date: 2008-11-29
Potential End Date: 2008-11-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-05-17
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