Department of the Army awarded $17M for Information Services, but competition was limited

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,057,027 ($17.1M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-04-06

End Date: 2011-04-05

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REACH-BACK TNMA 2.0

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.1 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: REACH-BACK TNMA 2.0 Key points: 1. The contract value of $17.06 million for information services represents a significant investment. 2. Limited competition for this contract may have impacted price discovery and potentially increased costs. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable cost structure. 4. The contract duration of 364 days indicates a short-term need for these information services. 5. The absence of small business set-asides warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities. 6. The specific nature of 'All Other Information Services' requires deeper analysis to understand the exact deliverables.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $17.06 million contract is challenging without specific details on the 'All Other Information Services' provided. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control. However, the lack of competition raises concerns about whether the Army secured the best possible value. Without comparable contracts or detailed performance metrics, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing was competitive or if the services delivered met expectations efficiently.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required services, or in urgent situations. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to drive down prices and ensure the most innovative solutions are considered. It also means that the pricing and terms were negotiated directly with the single awardee.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, sole-source awards can mean paying a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. It also reduces transparency in the procurement process, making it harder to verify that public funds are being used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Army, receiving essential information services. The services delivered are broadly categorized as 'All Other Information Services,' suggesting a wide range of potential support functions. The geographic impact is presumed to be within the operational areas of the Department of the Army. Workforce implications are not explicitly detailed but could involve internal Army personnel or contractor staff supporting the services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and suboptimal service.
The broad 'Information Services' category lacks specificity, making performance assessment difficult.
No small business participation was indicated, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller firms.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a major federal agency.
The contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for planning.

Sector Analysis

The Information Services sector is vast and encompasses a wide array of support functions, from data management and analysis to IT infrastructure and cybersecurity. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on data and technology across all government agencies. This contract, valued at $17.06 million, falls within the typical range for specialized information services, though its specific niche within 'All Other Information Services' makes direct comparison difficult without further detail. The Department of Defense, as a whole, is a major consumer of such services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific provisions for small business subcontracting. This suggests that the primary awardee is likely a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract may be limited unless they are direct subcontractors to the prime awardee. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any subcontracting plans were in place or if small businesses were excluded from bidding.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms of the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon timeframe and cost. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Information Technology Services
Army IT Support Contracts
Federal Data Management Services
Government Information Technology Procurement

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks transparency and competitive pricing.
Broad service category ('All Other Information Services') hinders performance assessment.
No small business participation indicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.1 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). REACH-BACK TNMA 2.0

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-04-06. End: 2011-04-05.

What specific 'All Other Information Services' were provided under this contract?

The provided data categorizes the service as 'All Other Information Services' (NAICS code 519190) and does not specify the exact nature of the services rendered. This broad classification could encompass a wide range of activities, such as data processing, information archiving, database management, or specialized research and analysis. Without further documentation or contract details, it is impossible to determine the precise scope of work. This lack of specificity makes it challenging to assess the contract's effectiveness, value for money, or relevance to the Army's mission. Future analysis would require access to the contract's statement of work or performance reports.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' implying a sole-source award. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the policies for competitive acquisitions. Sole-source awards are permissible under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. Without the specific justification documented by the Department of the Army at the time of award, it is impossible to ascertain the precise reason for bypassing full and open competition. This lack of transparency hinders the ability to assess whether the sole-source decision was appropriate and in the best interest of the government.

How does the $17.06 million contract value compare to similar information services contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

Comparing the $17.06 million contract value requires context regarding the duration and scope of services. As a definitive contract with a 364-day duration, this represents an average monthly expenditure of approximately $1.42 million. Benchmarking this against other Department of Defense (DoD) information services contracts would necessitate analyzing contracts with similar service descriptions and durations. Given the broad 'All Other Information Services' category, direct comparisons are difficult. However, the DoD frequently awards large contracts for IT and information management, often in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over multiple years. This $17 million award for a single year appears to be a moderate-sized contract within the DoD's overall spending landscape for such services.

What is the track record of the undisclosed domestic awardee for this contract?

The provided data lists the awardee as 'DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED)' and does not include the contractor's name. Therefore, it is impossible to assess the track record of the specific entity that received this $17.06 million contract. To evaluate the contractor's performance history, one would need to identify the awardee and then research their past performance on federal contracts, including their history of meeting deadlines, quality of work, and any past performance issues or awards. Without this information, assessing the reliability and capability of the chosen contractor is not possible.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not include any information regarding Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract. For a firm fixed-price contract, performance is typically measured against the defined scope of work and deliverables outlined in the contract's statement of work. Success would likely be determined by whether the contractor fulfilled all contractual obligations on time and within budget. However, without access to the contract's specific requirements or any performance reports, it is impossible to detail the exact KPIs or assess how effectively the contractor met them. This information is crucial for understanding the true value and impact of the services provided.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'All Other Information Services' by the Department of the Army?

The provided data only pertains to a single contract awarded on April 6, 2010, for $17.06 million. It does not offer historical spending patterns for the 'All Other Information Services' category by the Department of the Army. To analyze historical spending, one would need access to procurement databases covering multiple fiscal years, filtering for the relevant NAICS code (519190) and the awarding agency (Department of the Army). Such an analysis would reveal trends in spending levels, the number of contracts awarded, average contract values, and the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source procurements within this service category over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W52P1J10R0036

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,057,027

Exercised Options: $17,057,027

Current Obligation: $17,057,027

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline