State Department's $18.9M IT services contract with Geneva Software, Inc. awarded under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,928,835 ($18.9M)

Contractor: Geneva Software, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2010-08-26

End Date: 2016-08-22

Contract Duration: 2,188 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TAS::19 0535 000::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $18.9 million to GENEVA SOFTWARE, INC. for work described as: TAS::19 0535 000::TAS Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a streamlined process for smaller procurements. 2. The contract value of $18.9M over its duration indicates a significant investment in IT services. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. The contract was competed, implying some level of market engagement. 5. The duration of the contract (2188 days) suggests a long-term need for these services. 6. The primary contractor, Geneva Software, Inc., is the sole awardee for this specific call. 7. The NAICS code 541519 points to a broad range of computer-related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $18.9M contract is challenging without more specific service details and comparable contract data. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. However, the absence of detailed performance metrics or a clear comparison to market rates for similar IT services makes a definitive value assessment difficult. The contract's duration suggests a sustained need, but the overall value-for-money proposition requires further scrutiny of the services delivered and their impact.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but is more streamlined than full and open competition for larger contracts. While competed, the specific number of bidders or the extent of outreach is not detailed here. The SAP framework aims to balance efficiency with competition, but the level of price discovery might be less robust compared to large-scale, full and open solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally aims to achieve fair and reasonable pricing. The fact that it was competed suggests taxpayers benefited from at least some market engagement, potentially leading to better pricing than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from IT services essential for its operations. The contract supports the delivery of 'Other Computer Related Services', crucial for modern government functions. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contract is managed or performed. The contract likely supports a workforce skilled in various IT disciplines.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
The specific nature of 'Other Computer Related Services' is broad, potentially leading to scope creep or misaligned expectations if not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single awardee for this BPA call, even if competed initially, could limit future flexibility and innovation.
The long contract duration (over 6 years) might not keep pace with rapidly evolving IT technologies without active management and potential modifications.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating an effort to engage the market and secure competitive pricing.
The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type provides cost predictability for the government, reducing the risk of cost overruns.
The award to Geneva Software, Inc. suggests they possess the capabilities required by the Department of State for these IT services.
The contract falls under Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which can expedite the procurement process for certain types of goods and services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a vast and critical component of government operations, encompassing everything from software development to network management. This contract, classified under NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services), fits within the broader IT consulting and services market. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to modernize systems, enhance cybersecurity, and support digital transformation initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT service contracts awarded by various federal agencies for similar scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (sb: false). As a competed contract under SAP, there may have been opportunities for small businesses to participate either as prime contractors or subcontractors, depending on the specific solicitation requirements and the overall size standard for the NAICS code. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting goals were established and met, impacting the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of State. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
IT Services
Computer Related Services
Department of State IT Procurement
Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP) Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the broad NAICS code.
Long contract duration may not align with rapidly evolving IT needs.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics.
Competition level under SAP may be less robust than full and open.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $18.9 million to GENEVA SOFTWARE, INC.. TAS::19 0535 000::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENEVA SOFTWARE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-08-26. End: 2016-08-22.

What specific IT services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with the Department of State's mission objectives?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' This broad classification can encompass a wide range of activities, including IT consulting, systems integration, custom software development, IT support, and data processing services. Without access to the detailed contract statement of work (SOW), it is impossible to specify the exact services rendered. However, these services would have been intended to support the Department of State's core functions, which include diplomacy, foreign policy implementation, and providing services to U.S. citizens abroad. The effectiveness of these services in advancing the Department's mission would be assessed through performance evaluations and user feedback, which are not detailed in the provided data.

How does the $18.9 million contract value compare to similar IT services contracts awarded by the Department of State or other federal agencies?

The $18.9 million total value over approximately six years (2188 days) translates to an average annual value of roughly $3 million. This places it in the mid-tier range for federal IT service contracts. Larger agencies like the Department of Defense or GSA often award IT contracts in the hundreds of millions or even billions. However, for a specific task order under a BPA or a contract competed under SAP, $3 million annually is a substantial amount. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar NAICS codes, contract types (Firm Fixed Price), and competition levels awarded within the same timeframe by agencies of comparable size and mission.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Geneva Software, Inc.'s performance under this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance metrics established for this contract. In a Firm Fixed Price contract, performance is typically evaluated against the requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW). Common metrics for IT services might include system uptime, response times for support requests, project completion rates, adherence to security protocols, and user satisfaction surveys. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data makes it difficult to quantitatively assess the contractor's performance and the overall value delivered. Contract performance reports, if available, would provide this crucial information.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) by the Department of State, and how does this contract fit within that trend?

Historical spending data for NAICS 541519 by the Department of State would reveal trends in their reliance on external IT service providers. This specific $18.9 million contract, awarded in 2010 and ending in 2016, represents a significant but likely not isolated investment in such services during that period. Federal agencies, including the State Department, have increasingly outsourced IT functions to leverage specialized expertise and manage fluctuating workloads. Analyzing prior and subsequent years' spending on similar services would indicate whether this contract was part of a growing, stable, or decreasing trend in the Department's procurement of 'Other Computer Related Services'.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

Potential risks associated with a contract of this nature could include scope creep, contractor performance issues, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, or the rapid obsolescence of technology. The Firm Fixed Price structure helps mitigate cost overrun risks. Competition, even under SAP, aims to reduce risks associated with sole-source dependency. However, without specific contract documentation or performance reviews, it's challenging to identify the actual risks encountered and the mitigation strategies employed by the Department of State. Contract close-out reports or performance evaluations would typically detail these aspects.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 COOPERATIVE WAY STE 300, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $251,309,378

Exercised Options: $251,309,378

Current Obligation: $18,928,835

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA10A0177

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline