Social Security Administration awards $44.7M contract to CA, INC. for software publishing services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,708,050 ($44.7M)

Contractor: CA, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration

Start Date: 2010-10-01

End Date: 2011-09-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $122.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SS00-07-60009 CA, INC.SW

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Social Security Administration obligated $44.7 million to CA, INC. for work described as: SS00-07-60009 CA, INC.SW Key points: 1. The contract value of $44.7 million is significant for software publishing. 2. CA, INC. is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract duration of one year with potential for extensions presents a moderate risk. 4. Spending in the software publishing sector can vary widely based on specific needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $44.7 million for a one-year duration appears high for software publishing services without further context on the scope of work. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more detailed information.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competitive bidding. This method may lead to higher prices and reduced innovation compared to a fully competed contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these software publishing services.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on the Social Security Administration for essential services, making the efficiency of its IT contracts crucial. Software publishing is a critical component of government IT infrastructure, impacting data management and service delivery. Lack of transparency in sole-source contracts can erode public trust in government spending.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Lack of competition
  • Potential for overpricing

Positive Signals

  • Specific vendor identified
  • Contract awarded

Sector Analysis

The software publishing sector is diverse, with contract values ranging from small to very large depending on the complexity and scale of the software. This contract falls within a moderate range for specialized government IT needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. Further oversight is needed to ensure the justification for not competing the contract was sound and that the pricing is fair.

Related Government Programs

  • Software Publishers
  • Social Security Administration Contracting
  • Social Security Administration Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award lacks transparency.
  • Potential for inflated pricing due to no competition.
  • Limited opportunity for innovation from other vendors.
  • No clear benefit to small businesses indicated.

Tags

software-publishers, social-security-administration, va, do, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Social Security Administration awarded $44.7 million to CA, INC.. SS00-07-60009 CA, INC.SW

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CA, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-10-01. End: 2011-09-30.

What specific software publishing services were procured under this contract, and why was a sole-source award deemed necessary?

The provided data does not specify the exact software publishing services. A sole-source award typically implies that only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities, technology, or proprietary rights required for the service, or that an emergency situation precluded competitive bidding. Further investigation into the justification documented by the Social Security Administration would be necessary to understand the rationale.

How does the $44.7 million contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar software publishing services, considering the one-year duration?

Without detailed specifications of the software publishing services, a direct comparison to industry benchmarks is challenging. However, $44.7 million for a single year of software publishing could be considered high if it involves standard off-the-shelf software. If it entails complex custom development, extensive support, or unique intellectual property, the cost might be justifiable. The lack of competition makes a definitive assessment difficult.

What measures are in place to ensure accountability and effective delivery of services given the sole-source nature of this contract?

Accountability for sole-source contracts relies heavily on robust contract management by the procuring agency. This includes clearly defined performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and mechanisms for addressing deficiencies. The Social Security Administration should have a dedicated contract officer overseeing CA, INC.'s performance to ensure services meet requirements and taxpayer funds are used effectively, despite the absence of competitive pressure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: InformationSoftware PublishersSoftware Publishers

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2291 WOOD OAK DR, HERNDON, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,708,050

Exercised Options: $44,708,050

Current Obligation: $44,708,050

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SS000760009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-10-01

Current End Date: 2011-09-30

Potential End Date: 2011-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2011-04-28

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