State Dept. awards $46.9M for IT services to Acuity Inc. over 4 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,898,530 ($46.9M)

Contractor: Acuity Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2010-02-18

End Date: 2014-10-21

Contract Duration: 1,706 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT; TECHNICAL SUPPORT, INFORMATION SECURITY, TECHNICAL WRITING; IT PLANNING; BUSINESS PROCESS RE-ENGINEERING; FEASIBILITY STUDY; AND COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR IRM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20522

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $46.9 million to ACUITY INC for work described as: APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT; TECHNICAL SUPPORT, INFORMATION SECURITY, TECHNICAL WRITING; IT PLANNING; BUSINESS PROCESS RE-ENGINEERING; FEASIBILITY STUDY; AND COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR IRM Key points: 1. IT services contract awarded to Acuity Inc. for application development, technical support, and IT planning. 2. The contract spans over four years, indicating a significant need for ongoing IT support. 3. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a competitive bidding process with specific criteria. 4. The total award value of $46.9 million highlights substantial government investment in IT infrastructure and services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $46.9 million over four years averages $11.7 million annually. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts requires more granular data on specific services and labor categories.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates a competitive process, but the exclusion of certain sources might limit the full breadth of competition. This method aims for best value while potentially focusing on specific capabilities.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted through the funding of essential IT services for the Department of State, aiming for efficient government operations.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of critical IT operations for the Department of State. Supports various IT functions including application development, cybersecurity, and strategic planning. The contract's duration suggests a long-term commitment to modernizing and maintaining IT systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
  • Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes precise value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through a competitive process.
  • Long-term contract provides stability for IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Other Computer Related Services sector, specifically NAICS code 541519. Government spending in this sector is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on technology for agency operations and modernization efforts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the scope and requirements of the contract were likely better suited for larger, established IT service providers.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Accountability is maintained through contract performance metrics and reporting requirements, ensuring services meet defined standards.

Related Government Programs

  • Other Computer Related Services
  • Department of State Contracting
  • Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not managed effectively.
  • Dependency on a single contractor for critical IT functions.
  • Risk of vendor lock-in due to the long contract duration.
  • Scope creep could increase the total contract cost beyond the initial estimate.

Tags

other-computer-related-services, department-of-state, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $46.9 million to ACUITY INC. APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT; TECHNICAL SUPPORT, INFORMATION SECURITY, TECHNICAL WRITING; IT PLANNING; BUSINESS PROCESS RE-ENGINEERING; FEASIBILITY STUDY; AND COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS FOR IRM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACUITY INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $46.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-02-18. End: 2014-10-21.

What specific IT modernization goals does this contract support for the Department of State?

This contract likely supports the Department of State's ongoing efforts to modernize its IT infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity posture, and improve the efficiency of its digital services. It could encompass projects related to legacy system upgrades, cloud migration, data management, and the development of new applications to support diplomatic and consular functions.

How does the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method impact the overall value and risk for the government?

Excluding sources can limit the pool of potential bidders, potentially reducing price competition and innovation. While it may ensure specific technical capabilities are met, it could also lead to higher costs or less optimal solutions if highly competitive vendors are inadvertently excluded. The government must carefully justify such exclusions to ensure fair and effective procurement.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the effectiveness of Acuity Inc.'s services under this contract?

Effectiveness is typically measured through KPIs such as system uptime, response times for technical support, project completion rates against deadlines, adherence to security protocols, and client satisfaction surveys. The Department of State would monitor these metrics to ensure Acuity Inc. is meeting its contractual obligations and delivering high-quality IT services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesComputer Systems Design and Related ServicesOther Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONSADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1300 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW STE# 700, WASHINGTON, DC, 20004

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,194,461

Exercised Options: $50,194,461

Current Obligation: $46,898,530

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMPD07D0066

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-02-18

Current End Date: 2014-10-21

Potential End Date: 2014-10-21 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2016-05-12

More Contracts from Acuity Inc

View all Acuity Inc federal contracts →

Other Department of State Contracts

View all Department of State contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending