DCA Contract for Web Content Management Awarded to PRISM COMMUNICATIONS INC for $11.7M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,704,605 ($11.7M)
Contractor: Prism Communications Inc
Awarding Agency: Small Business Administration
Start Date: 2007-05-25
End Date: 2012-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,955 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024
Plain-Language Summary
Small Business Administration obligated $11.7 million to PRISM COMMUNICATIONS INC for work described as: WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract Value: $11.7 million over 5 years. 2. Competition: Full and open competition. 3. Risk: Moderate risk due to contract duration and fixed-price nature. 4. Sector: Information Technology (IT) services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $11.7 million over approximately 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT services contracts would be necessary to fully assess pricing reasonableness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically promotes competitive pricing. The number of offers received (8) indicates a healthy level of interest and potential for price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through market forces.
Public Impact
Ensures government agencies have functional websites for public information dissemination. Supports digital infrastructure and online service delivery. Potential for improved user experience and accessibility of government information.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration of 5 years may exceed the need for evolving web technologies.
- Fixed-price contract could lead to cost overruns if scope changes significantly.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical web content management.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Multiple offers received, indicating market interest.
- Contract supports essential government IT functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on web content management. Spending in this area is crucial for modern government operations, with benchmarks varying widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
While this contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no specific indication that small businesses were primary awardees or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCA), suggesting a level of oversight. However, the duration and fixed-price nature warrant ongoing monitoring for performance and cost control.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Facilities Management Services
- Small Business Administration Contracting
- Small Business Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration may be too long for rapidly changing IT.
- Fixed-price risk for potential scope creep.
- Lack of detail on specific services and performance metrics.
- Potential for vendor lock-in over the contract term.
Tags
computer-facilities-management-services, small-business-administration, dc, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Small Business Administration awarded $11.7 million to PRISM COMMUNICATIONS INC. WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PRISM COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Small Business Administration (Small Business Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-05-25. End: 2012-09-30.
What was the specific scope of work for web content management, and how does it align with current technological standards?
The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work. Understanding the precise requirements for web content management is crucial to assess if the $11.7 million award represents good value. It's important to determine if the services procured are aligned with current technological standards and if the contract allows for adaptation to evolving web technologies over its 5-year duration.
How did the pricing compare across the 8 offers received to ensure optimal value for taxpayers?
With 8 offers received under full and open competition, there was a strong opportunity for price discovery. To confirm optimal value, a detailed analysis of the pricing structures and proposed solutions from each offeror would be necessary. Comparing the final awarded price against the range of other bids and the estimated government cost would indicate if taxpayers received competitive pricing.
What mechanisms are in place to manage scope creep and ensure the fixed-price contract remains cost-effective?
Fixed-price contracts can be susceptible to scope creep, which can inflate costs. Effective oversight would involve rigorous change control processes to evaluate any proposed modifications to the scope of work. Clear contract terms and performance metrics are essential to manage expectations and ensure that the vendor delivers the agreed-upon services within the established budget, preventing unexpected increases in taxpayer burden.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 8
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6990 COLUMBIA GATEWAY DR STE 250, COLUMBIA, MD, 03
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,704,605
Exercised Options: $11,704,605
Current Obligation: $11,704,605
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-05-25
Current End Date: 2012-09-30
Potential End Date: 2012-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-08-24
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