NSF's $27.9M IT services contract with B&A - DSI, INC. awarded via competitive delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,916,788 ($27.9M)

Contractor: B&A - DSI, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2003-12-01

End Date: 2010-02-28

Contract Duration: 2,281 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22230

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $27.9 million to B&A - DSI, INC. for work described as: INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract's value of $27.9 million over its 7-year period suggests a significant investment in IT infrastructure. 2. Awarded through a competitive delivery order, indicating multiple bids were considered, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code points to a broad scope of IT support, requiring careful performance monitoring. 4. The contract's duration of 2281 days (approx. 6.25 years) is substantial, necessitating long-term strategic alignment. 5. The use of Time and Materials pricing can introduce cost variability if not managed with strict oversight. 6. The contract was not set aside for small businesses, suggesting the scope or nature of services may have favored larger entities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the $27.9 million total contract value against similar IT infrastructure support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the average annual spend of approximately $3.9 million appears moderate for a 7-year engagement. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously managed and monitored against established labor rates and material markups. Without specific performance metrics or comparison data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult, but the competitive award process offers some assurance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' under a larger indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, implying a full and open competition process. The presence of 5 bids (no) indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this IT services requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government receives proposals from multiple qualified vendors, allowing for selection of the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a more favorable price than might have been achieved through a sole-source or limited competition approach. Multiple bids help drive down costs and ensure the selected vendor offers a competitive rate.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation (NSF) benefits from enhanced IT infrastructure and support services, crucial for its research and scientific endeavors. Researchers and administrative staff across NSF facilities will receive improved IT services, potentially leading to greater efficiency and productivity. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting NSF's mission across its various locations and research initiatives. The contract supports IT professionals and potentially other roles within the contractor's organization, contributing to the tech workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored, especially for long-duration contracts.
The broad 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code may obscure specific deliverables, making performance tracking and accountability more complex.
Lack of specific small business set-aside information raises questions about opportunities for smaller IT firms in this contract's ecosystem.
The contract's significant duration (over 6 years) requires ongoing vigilance to ensure continued relevance and value as technology evolves.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive delivery order process, suggesting a robust selection of qualified vendors and potentially competitive pricing.
The contract is managed by the National Science Foundation, an agency with a clear mission focused on research and education, implying a strategic need for reliable IT services.
The total value of $27.9 million over its period indicates a substantial commitment to IT infrastructure, suggesting a focus on long-term capability building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically under 'Other Computer Related Services'. The IT services market is vast and highly competitive, encompassing everything from hardware and software procurement to complex system integration and managed services. Contracts like this are essential for government agencies to maintain and upgrade their technological capabilities, supporting everything from administrative functions to mission-critical operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT support contracts awarded to similar-sized federal agencies or those with comparable missions.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have been specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). The competitive nature suggests that both large and small businesses could have bid, but the ultimate awardee, B&A - DSI, INC., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. This lack of a small business set-aside means that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not guaranteed and would depend on the prime contractor's strategy. It also suggests that the scope of work may have been better suited to larger firms or that the competition was broad enough to include them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. Given the Time and Materials pricing, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and material costs would be crucial. Transparency is facilitated by the contract being competitively awarded and documented. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected, with the NSF Office of Inspector General being the relevant body.

Related Government Programs

IT Infrastructure Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal IT Procurement
National Science Foundation IT Contracts
Delivery Order Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Broad scope of 'Other Computer Related Services' may lack specific performance benchmarks.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Lack of explicit small business participation details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $27.9 million to B&A - DSI, INC.. INTEGRATED INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is B&A - DSI, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-12-01. End: 2010-02-28.

What is the track record of B&A - DSI, INC. with federal contracts, particularly with the National Science Foundation?

Detailed information on B&A - DSI, INC.'s specific track record with federal contracts, including past performance ratings, past performance issues, and history with the National Science Foundation, is not provided in the summary data. A comprehensive analysis would require accessing the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases to review their contract history, including award values, agencies served, contract types, and any documented performance feedback or disputes. Understanding their history is crucial for assessing reliability and potential risks associated with this contract.

How does the $27.9 million total contract value compare to other IT services contracts awarded by the NSF or similar agencies?

The total contract value of $27.9 million over approximately 6.25 years equates to an average annual spend of roughly $3.9 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against IT services contracts of similar scope and duration awarded by agencies like the NSF or other science and research-focused federal bodies. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high, low, or average spending. However, for a significant IT infrastructure support role, this amount appears within a plausible range for a federal agency of NSF's size and mission complexity.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used in this contract?

The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. If not meticulously managed, contractors may bill for excessive hours, inefficient work, or inflated material costs. For a long-duration contract like this (over 6 years), the risk of cost escalation is amplified, necessitating robust oversight, detailed record-keeping, and strict adherence to agreed-upon labor rates and material pricing guidelines by the government.

How effective has the 'full-and-open' competition process been in ensuring value for this specific contract?

The 'full-and-open' competition, evidenced by 5 bids received, is a strong indicator that the process was designed to maximize value. This approach allows a wide range of qualified vendors to compete, driving down prices and encouraging innovation. However, the ultimate effectiveness in ensuring value depends on the evaluation criteria used, the clarity of the solicitation, and the government's ability to accurately assess technical merit and cost. While competition is a positive sign, a deeper dive into the evaluation process and the final awarded price relative to independent cost estimates would be needed for a definitive assessment of value realization.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) by the National Science Foundation?

Historical spending data for NAICS code 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services') by the National Science Foundation is not provided in the summary. To analyze this, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like FPDS. Such an analysis would reveal trends in spending for this category, identify major contractors, and show the typical contract values and durations. This context is vital for understanding if the $27.9 million award represents a typical investment or an outlier for NSF's IT service needs within this specific classification.

Are there specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract that can be used to gauge contractor performance?

The provided summary data does not include details on specific performance metrics or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These are critical components for evaluating contractor performance, especially for IT services. A thorough review of the contract document itself would be necessary to identify any defined metrics (e.g., system uptime, response times, issue resolution rates) and the associated penalties or incentives. Without these, assessing the contractor's effectiveness and the overall success of the service delivery is significantly hampered.

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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Bart & Associates, LLC (UEI: 603180985)

Address: 21165 WHITFIELD PL STE 206, STERLING, VA, 20165

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,284,550

Exercised Options: $28,284,550

Current Obligation: $27,916,788

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F5809H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline