All Native, Inc. awarded $21M for IT and help desk support at Fort Detrick

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,062,435 ($21.1M)

Contractor: ALL Native, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-02-11

End Date: 2017-08-30

Contract Duration: 1,296 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF FORT DETRICK, MD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND HELP DESK SUPPORT. FT. DETRICK INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICK, FREDERICK County, MARYLAND, 21702

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.1 million to ALL NATIVE, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF FORT DETRICK, MD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND HELP DESK SUPPORT. FT. DETRICK INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for IT and help desk services, indicating a need for ongoing technical support. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market competitiveness. 3. The duration of the contract (over 3 years) suggests a stable, long-term requirement for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the lack of competition limits benchmarking. 5. Services are provided in Maryland, impacting the local IT support market and workforce. 6. The specific NAICS code (541519) covers a broad range of computer-related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of competitive bidding. Without comparison to other similar IT support contracts or market rates, it's difficult to definitively assess if the $21 million awarded represents a fair price. The fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to cap costs, but the absence of competition means there's no clear market signal to confirm value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competition from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor can provide the required services, or for specific strategic reasons. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery and potential cost savings that typically arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without multiple bids, there's less assurance that the price reflects the most economical option available in the market.

Public Impact

Military personnel and civilian staff at Fort Detrick benefit from reliable IT and help desk support. Essential IT infrastructure and operations at the base are maintained, ensuring mission readiness. The contract supports the Department of the Army's information technology needs. Geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, potentially supporting local IT jobs and businesses.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can reduce market opportunities for other qualified IT service providers.
The broad 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code may obscure the specific nature of services procured.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps to establish a ceiling on expenditures.
The contract duration indicates a stable and predictable IT support requirement.
Award to a single vendor may reflect a strategic decision for specialized support needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on IT services and help desk support. The IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with numerous firms offering a wide range of capabilities. However, specialized support at military installations can sometimes lead to limited competition. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support at federal facilities vary widely based on scope, location, and security requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, All Native, Inc., is either not a small business or that subcontracting opportunities were not a specific focus of this procurement. The lack of small business involvement could limit opportunities for smaller firms in this specific contract's ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense IT Services
Army Information Technology Support
Federal Help Desk Services
Fort Detrick Operations Support
Sole Source IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential cost efficiencies.
Lack of transparency regarding performance metrics and specific service details.
Broad NAICS code may obscure the precise nature and value of services procured.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.1 million to ALL NATIVE, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF FORT DETRICK, MD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND HELP DESK SUPPORT. FT. DETRICK INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALL NATIVE, 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 $21.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-02-11. End: 2017-08-30.

What is the track record of All Native, Inc. in performing similar IT support contracts for the federal government?

All Native, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those related to IT services. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those with the Department of Defense or other agencies requiring IT and help desk support, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. Specific details on past contract values, performance reviews, and any issues encountered would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. Without access to detailed performance data and a broader contract history, it's difficult to definitively gauge their track record beyond the information available for this specific award.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar IT and help desk support services in the Maryland region?

Directly comparing the awarded price of $21 million for this contract to market rates is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services, service level agreements (SLAs), and the exact number of users supported. However, given that this was a sole-source award, there's a higher risk that the price may not be fully optimized against market competition. To conduct a thorough comparison, one would need to identify comparable contracts awarded competitively in the same geographic area or consult industry benchmarks for IT support services. Factors like security clearances, 24/7 support requirements, and specialized technical expertise would significantly influence market rates.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source IT support contract of this magnitude?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source IT support contract of this magnitude include potential cost overruns or inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, there's less incentive for the contractor to offer the most cost-effective solution. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on a single provider, making it difficult and costly to switch vendors in the future. Furthermore, a sole-source award might indicate a lack of available qualified vendors or a failure in the government's procurement strategy to foster broader competition, potentially limiting innovation and access to a wider range of technological solutions.

What is the expected effectiveness of the IT and help desk support provided under this contract for Fort Detrick's operations?

The effectiveness of the IT and help desk support under this contract is expected to be high, assuming All Native, Inc. meets its contractual obligations. Reliable IT infrastructure and responsive help desk services are critical for the day-to-day operations of a military installation like Fort Detrick, impacting everything from administrative functions to mission-critical systems. The contract's duration suggests a stable provision of these essential services. However, effectiveness is ultimately measured by performance metrics outlined in the contract, such as response times, resolution rates, and user satisfaction, which are not detailed in the provided data.

How has federal spending on IT and help desk support services at Fort Detrick trended historically?

Historical spending data for IT and help desk support services specifically at Fort Detrick would require a detailed analysis of past contracts awarded to this installation. This contract, awarded in 2014 and ending in 2017, represents a specific period. To understand historical trends, one would need to examine previous contracts for similar services, noting their values, durations, and whether they were competed or sole-sourced. This analysis would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable over time, and whether the procurement strategy has evolved. Without access to this historical contract data, it's impossible to provide a trend analysis.

What are the implications of the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code for understanding the scope of work?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is a broad category that encompasses a wide array of IT services not specifically classified under other codes. This can include services like computer facilities management, IT support, disaster recovery services, and computer systems integration consulting. For this contract, it suggests the scope likely includes general IT support and help desk functions, but could potentially extend to other related services. The generality of the code means that the specific deliverables and technical requirements are primarily defined within the contract's statement of work, rather than being fully delineated by the NAICS code itself.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (UEI: 041643834)

Address: 1 MISSION DR, WINNEBAGO, NE, 68071

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,062,435

Exercised Options: $21,062,435

Current Obligation: $21,062,435

Contract Characteristics

Consolidated Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline