NSF awards $18.3M for Research.gov managed services to Science Applications International Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,294,236 ($18.3M)
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation
Start Date: 2007-10-01
End Date: 2011-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.5K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: IT
Official Description: RESEARCH.GOV MANAGED SERVICES AND HOSTING
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22230
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Science Foundation obligated $18.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: RESEARCH.GOV MANAGED SERVICES AND HOSTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded via competitive delivery order, indicating some price discovery. 2. The contract value is relatively modest for IT managed services. 3. Potential risk associated with a single awardee for a critical system. 4. IT sector spending benchmark for similar services needs further analysis.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar CPFF contracts for managed services is crucial to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
Awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting multiple bids were considered. However, the specific competition details and price negotiation effectiveness are not fully detailed.
Taxpayer Impact: The $18.3M award represents a significant investment, and ensuring competitive pricing is key to maximizing taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Supports the National Science Foundation's Research.gov platform, a critical resource for researchers. Ensures continued operation and maintenance of a vital scientific infrastructure. Potential impact on the scientific community if service delivery is disrupted.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing can incentivize contractor inefficiency.
- Limited visibility into the specific competitive process for this delivery order.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure.
Positive Signals
- Contract supports a key government research platform.
- Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting some level of market vetting.
- Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Spending benchmarks for managed services and hosting vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Large IT service providers typically dominate these types of contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight by the National Science Foundation is critical, especially given the CPFF contract type, to ensure cost control and performance standards are met.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- National Science Foundation Contracting
- National Science Foundation Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type.
- Lack of detailed competition information.
- No clear performance metrics provided.
- Potential for cost overruns without stringent oversight.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, national-science-foundation, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Science Foundation awarded $18.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. RESEARCH.GOV MANAGED SERVICES AND HOSTING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-10-01. End: 2011-09-30.
What was the competitive landscape for this delivery order, and how did it influence the final price?
While designated as 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER', the specifics of the bidding process and the number of competing proposals are not detailed. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to fully assess the effectiveness of price discovery and whether the government secured the best possible value. Further investigation into the solicitation documents would be needed.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this managed services contract, and how is performance being measured?
The provided data does not include specific KPIs or performance metrics. Effective oversight requires clearly defined and measurable performance standards to ensure the contractor is meeting service level agreements and delivering value. Without this information, assessing the effectiveness of the contract is challenging.
How does the cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar managed IT services, considering the CPFF structure?
Benchmarking CPFF contracts is complex due to inherent cost-plus nature. Without detailed service scope and performance data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the $18.3M over four years suggests a moderate annual spend. A thorough analysis would require comparing labor rates, overhead, and profit margins against industry standards for comparable government or commercial contracts.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,497,942
Exercised Options: $19,014,669
Current Obligation: $18,294,236
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00T99ALD0210
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-10-01
Current End Date: 2011-09-30
Potential End Date: 2011-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2019-10-21
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