State Dept. IT Support Contract Awarded to Acuity Inc. for $28.7M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,718,331 ($28.7M)

Contractor: Acuity Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2013-07-01

End Date: 2019-07-31

Contract Duration: 2,221 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT S OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, SERVICES CONSIDERED CRITICAL FUNCTIONS. REFERENCE CLASSIFICATION CODE IGF::CT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $28.7 million to ACUITY INC for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT S OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, SERVICES CONSIDERED CRITICAL FUNCTIONS. REFERENCE CLASSIFICATION CODE IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract supports critical IT functions for the Department's Office of Information Resource Management. 2. Acuity Inc. is the contractor, with the award value at $28.7 million. 3. The contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512). 4. Services are deemed critical, highlighting potential impact if disrupted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $28.7M over 6 years for IT support services appears within a reasonable range for government contracts of this nature. However, without specific benchmarks for similar 'critical function' IT support, a precise valuation is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which suggests a limited competition approach. This method may not have yielded the most competitive pricing possible compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The pricing impact on taxpayers is uncertain due to the limited competition. A more open process could potentially have secured lower prices.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of essential IT operations for the Department of State. Supports the agency's ability to manage and maintain its information resources. Potential for disruption if contractor performance falters due to limited competition. Taxpayer funds are allocated for critical infrastructure support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Contract duration is substantial (6 years).
Critical functions are outsourced.

Positive Signals

Supports essential government operations.
Contractor has been awarded a significant contract.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. Government spending in this area is consistently high as agencies rely on IT for core functions. Benchmarks for similar critical IT support contracts are often in the millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. The 'critical functions' designation suggests a high level of scrutiny is warranted to ensure performance and value.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to critical nature of services.
Limited competition may result in higher costs.
Contract duration extends over a significant period.
Lack of transparency regarding the exclusion of sources.
Performance data is not readily available for assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $28.7 million to ACUITY INC. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE DEPARTMENT S OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, SERVICES CONSIDERED CRITICAL FUNCTIONS. REFERENCE CLASSIFICATION CODE IGF::CT::IGF

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 $28.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-07-01. End: 2019-07-31.

What specific IT services are included under 'critical functions' and how do they align with the Department's mission objectives?

Critical functions likely encompass essential IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity operations, network maintenance, and user support crucial for the Department of State's diplomatic and operational activities. These services directly enable secure communication, data management, and the functioning of internal systems necessary for foreign policy execution and agency administration.

What was the rationale for excluding other sources, and what was the competitive landscape like during the 'limited' competition phase?

The rationale for excluding other sources is not detailed in the provided data. However, 'limited' competition often implies that only a select number of pre-qualified or capable vendors were solicited. Understanding the specific criteria for exclusion and the number of bidders would clarify the competitive dynamics and potential price discovery.

How does the performance of Acuity Inc. on this contract compare to industry standards for similar IT support services?

Assessing Acuity Inc.'s performance against industry standards requires access to performance reports, customer satisfaction surveys, and potentially contract modification history. Without this data, it's impossible to definitively state how their performance compares. The 'fair' rating suggests a need for ongoing monitoring.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,718,331

Exercised Options: $28,718,331

Current Obligation: $28,718,331

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 17

Total Subaward Amount: $3,143,713

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F1248Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline