DoD's $20.8M Custom Computer Programming Contract with Northern Taiga Ventures: A 5-Year Analysis
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,836,449 ($20.8M)
Contractor: Northern Taiga Ventures Incorporated
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-09-30
End Date: 2012-03-28
Contract Duration: 1,641 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: COST & PERFORMANCE PORTAL LABOR
Place of Performance
Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20878
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $20.8 million to NORTHERN TAIGA VENTURES INCORPORATED for work described as: COST & PERFORMANCE PORTAL LABOR Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Northern Taiga Ventures for custom computer programming services totaled $20.8 million over its 5-year duration. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process for these services. 3. The contract type was Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The specific NAICS code (541511) indicates a focus on custom software development.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $20.8 million over five years averages approximately $4.16 million annually. Without specific benchmarks for custom computer programming services of this scope and complexity, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the duration suggests a substantial, long-term engagement.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing the best value through a competitive process.
Public Impact
Government reliance on custom software development for critical functions. Potential for long-term contractor relationships impacting future competition. Impact of fixed-price contracts on budget predictability. The duration of the contract (1641 days) suggests a significant project lifecycle.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics provided.
- Potential for scope creep in custom programming projects.
- Limited information on contractor past performance.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type.
- Full and open competition.
- Long contract duration may indicate successful project completion.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending in this area is crucial for government modernization and operational efficiency. Benchmarks for similar large-scale custom software development contracts can vary widely based on complexity and specific requirements.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there is no direct analysis of small business participation or impact from this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded under a definitive contract, suggesting it was subject to standard procurement regulations. Further oversight details regarding performance monitoring and accountability mechanisms are not provided in this data.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for scope creep in custom development.
- Limited information on contractor's past performance.
- No indication of small business participation.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-defense, md, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $20.8 million to NORTHERN TAIGA VENTURES INCORPORATED. COST & PERFORMANCE PORTAL LABOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTHERN TAIGA VENTURES INCORPORATED.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-30. End: 2012-03-28.
What was the specific nature of the custom computer programming services provided, and how did they align with the Department of the Army's mission requirements?
The provided data identifies the service as 'Custom Computer Programming Services' under NAICS code 541511. However, it does not detail the specific applications, systems, or software developed. Understanding the exact nature of these services is crucial to assessing their alignment with the Department of the Army's operational needs and mission objectives during the contract period.
Given the firm fixed price structure, what mechanisms were in place to manage potential cost overruns or scope creep, and how effective were they?
A firm fixed price contract places the cost risk on the contractor. However, effective management of custom programming projects often requires robust change control processes to address scope creep. Without details on contract modifications or performance reviews, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness of mechanisms used to control costs and manage scope changes throughout the contract's lifecycle.
How did the pricing of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar custom computer programming services at the time of award?
The contract value of $20.8 million over five years, while substantial, lacks context for direct pricing comparison without detailed service specifications and market rates for custom programming in 2007. Benchmarking would require analyzing the complexity, deliverables, and labor categories against contemporary industry data for similar government or commercial projects.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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
Solicitation ID: W91WAW07R0116
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Northern Taiga Ventures, Inc. (UEI: 031748978)
Address: 814 W DIAMOND AVE STE 200, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20878
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,850,728
Exercised Options: $20,850,728
Current Obligation: $20,836,449
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-30
Current End Date: 2012-03-28
Potential End Date: 2012-03-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-02-24
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