NARA's $22.2M IT Support Contract Awarded to ALON, INC. with 5 Bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,204,352 ($22.2M)

Contractor: Alon, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2007-04-10

End Date: 2012-10-09

Contract Duration: 2,009 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: PROGRAM OFFICE IT SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGE'S County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $22.2 million to ALON, INC. for work described as: PROGRAM OFFICE IT SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in essential IT infrastructure. 2. Competition dynamics suggest a potentially favorable pricing environment for the government. 3. Performance context is crucial given the extended duration of the contract. 4. Sector positioning highlights the critical role of IT services in government operations. 5. Risk indicators may include vendor lock-in and the need for ongoing performance monitoring.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.2 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for comprehensive IT support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support within federal agencies of comparable size and scope would provide a more definitive assessment of value for money. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, allows for flexibility but necessitates careful oversight to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a competitive process, with five bidders vying for the opportunity. The presence of multiple bidders indicates a healthy level of competition, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. The full and open competition suggests that the agency sought the best value from a wide range of potential vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective solution compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) benefit from reliable IT infrastructure and support. Essential government functions are supported through the provision of IT services. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting NARA's mission across its operations. The workforce implications include the direct employment of IT professionals by the contractor and potential indirect impacts on NARA's IT staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to the long-term nature of the contract.
Ensuring consistent service quality and performance over the contract's duration.
Managing scope creep and ensuring adherence to the labor hour pricing model.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Multiple bidders participated, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
The contract supports critical IT functions for a key federal agency.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a critical component of government operations, encompassing a wide range of support, development, and maintenance activities. Federal spending in this area is substantial, reflecting the increasing reliance on technology. This contract for program office IT support services fits within the broader category of IT professional services, which includes areas like computer systems design and related services. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing IT support contracts across various federal agencies to understand typical cost structures and service levels.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were specifically targeted or subcontracted under this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and its impact on the small business ecosystem. Without specific set-aside provisions or subcontracting plans, the direct impact on small businesses may be limited to those who bid unsuccessfully or those who might be part of the prime contractor's supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the National Archives and Records Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement and service level agreements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any potential fraud, waste, or abuse were identified.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Modernization Programs
Government-wide IT Acquisition Vehicles
Agency-specific IT Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to technological obsolescence.
Potential for vendor lock-in requires careful management.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure service quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $22.2 million to ALON, INC.. PROGRAM OFFICE IT SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALON, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-04-10. End: 2012-10-09.

What is the historical spending trend for IT support services at NARA?

Analyzing historical spending for IT support services at NARA would require accessing past contract data. This would involve identifying previous contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and awarded contractors. A trend analysis would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable over time. It would also highlight any shifts in the types of IT support services procured or changes in the competitive landscape. Understanding historical patterns is crucial for forecasting future needs and budgeting effectively, as well as for identifying potential areas of cost savings or efficiency improvements.

How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar IT support contracts at other federal agencies?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging without specific metrics like cost per user, cost per server, or cost per help desk ticket. However, by examining the total contract value ($22.2 million) against the contract duration (approximately 5.5 years) and the scope of services (program office IT support), we can infer a general cost level. If NARA supports a large number of users or complex systems, this value might be in line with industry standards. Conversely, if the scope is smaller, it could indicate higher per-unit costs. Benchmarking against contracts with similar labor hour structures and service level agreements at agencies like GSA or HHS would provide a more robust comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this IT support contract?

Key performance indicators for an IT support contract typically focus on service availability, response times, resolution rates, and user satisfaction. For this contract, NARA likely established specific metrics within the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Examples could include: uptime percentages for critical systems, average time to resolve help desk tickets (categorized by severity), first-call resolution rates, and periodic user satisfaction surveys. The contractor's adherence to these KPIs would be monitored by NARA's contracting officer's representative (COR) and would influence future contract decisions and performance evaluations.

What is ALON, INC.'s track record with federal IT support contracts?

ALON, INC.'s track record with federal IT support contracts can be assessed by reviewing their past performance on similar government awards. This includes examining contract history for on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of service, and any past performance issues or disputes. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and past performance evaluations (if publicly available) would be instrumental. A strong track record with relevant IT support services would indicate a lower risk for NARA, while a history of performance issues might raise concerns about the contractor's ability to meet the current contract's requirements.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-duration IT support contract like this one?

Long-duration IT support contracts, such as this one spanning over five years, carry several potential risks. One primary risk is technological obsolescence; IT environments can change rapidly, and a contract locked into specific technologies or approaches may become outdated. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly reliant on a single provider, potentially hindering flexibility and competitive sourcing in the future. Cost escalation is also a concern, as labor rates or unforeseen support needs can increase over time. Furthermore, maintaining consistent service quality and contractor performance over an extended period requires diligent oversight and proactive management from the agency.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6800 VERSAR CENTER STE 303, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 11

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,244,352

Exercised Options: $22,244,352

Current Obligation: $22,204,352

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0325R

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline