DoD awards $10.4M for Software Phase 1 to Unison Software Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,384,335 ($10.4M)

Contractor: Unison Software Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2006-10-31

End Date: 2009-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,157 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: SOFTWARE PHASE 1

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.4 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC for work described as: SOFTWARE PHASE 1 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Unison Software Inc. for software development. 2. The Department of the Army is the primary agency. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. The contract duration is over 3 years.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.4M for a 3-year software development project appears within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar complex software development contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was employed, suggesting a robust process for price discovery. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing by allowing all qualified vendors to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best value.

Public Impact

Software development services for the Department of the Army. Contract supports ongoing IT infrastructure and capabilities. Potential for follow-on work based on Phase 1 success.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for scope creep in software development projects.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Contract awarded to a single entity, potentially simplifying management.
Clear end date for the contract period.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically software development. Spending benchmarks for similar DoD software development contracts vary widely based on complexity and scope, but $10.4M over three years is a moderate investment.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. The contract was awarded to Unison Software Inc., a single entity, and it's unclear if they are a small or large business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Army to ensure deliverables meet requirements and costs remain controlled.

Related Government Programs

Computer and Software Stores
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Potential for scope creep.
Limited information on specific software functionality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.4 million to UNISON SOFTWARE INC. SOFTWARE PHASE 1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNISON SOFTWARE INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-10-31. End: 2009-12-31.

What specific software capabilities are being developed in Phase 1, and how do they align with the Army's strategic IT goals?

The provided data lacks specifics on the software's purpose. Understanding the functional requirements and strategic alignment is crucial to assess the value and necessity of this $10.4M investment. Without this context, it's difficult to determine if the spending directly supports critical Army objectives or addresses identified capability gaps.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones for this Time and Materials contract to mitigate cost overrun risks?

For a Time and Materials contract, robust KPIs and clearly defined milestones are essential to manage costs and ensure progress. The absence of this information raises concerns about potential cost overruns and the ability to track contractor performance effectively. Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals are needed.

How will the success of Phase 1 be measured to determine its effectiveness and inform potential follow-on investments?

The effectiveness of Phase 1 hinges on predefined success criteria and measurable outcomes. Without clear metrics for evaluating the developed software against its intended purpose and user needs, assessing its true effectiveness is challenging. This evaluation is critical for justifying further investment and ensuring the software delivers tangible benefits to the Department of the Army.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Electronics and Appliance Stores › Computer and Software Stores

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Compusearch Acquisition Company, Inc (UEI: 964567841)

Address: 22685 HOLIDAY PARK DR, DULLES, VA, 10

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,483,326

Exercised Options: $10,483,326

Current Obligation: $10,384,335

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0585J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline