Social Security Administration awards $23.2M bridge contract for engineering support to MicroTechnologies LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,221,980 ($23.2M)
Contractor: Microtechnologies LLC
Awarding Agency: Social Security Administration
Start Date: 2013-03-31
End Date: 2014-02-14
Contract Duration: 320 days
Daily Burn Rate: $72.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: IT
Official Description: ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES BRIDGE CONTRACT (SS00-12-60077) TASK ORDER 0003 IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS
Place of Performance
Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Social Security Administration obligated $23.2 million to MICROTECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES BRIDGE CONTRACT (SS00-12-60077) TASK ORDER 0003 IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to MicroTechnologies LLC for engineering support services. 2. The contract is a bridge contract, indicating a potential gap in service. 3. The award value is $23,221,980. 4. The NAICS code 541519 suggests 'Other Computer Related Services'. 5. The contract was not competed.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's pricing is based on labor hours, making direct comparison difficult without detailed labor rates. The award value of $23.2M for a 320-day duration suggests a significant investment, but the lack of competition hinders a robust price assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, falling under a sole-source or limited competition category. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a $23.2M contract raises concerns about potential overspending and inefficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The Social Security Administration's reliance on a single vendor for critical engineering support raises questions about long-term strategy and vendor lock-in. The bridge contract nature suggests potential planning or procurement process issues within the agency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Bridge contract
- High award value without competition
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a specific vendor
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Spending benchmarks for similar engineering support services can vary widely based on scope and duration, but a $23.2M award for less than a year warrants scrutiny, especially without competition.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests potential issues with the procurement process. Further oversight is needed to understand why this significant contract was not opened to competitive bidding and if proper justification was documented.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Social Security Administration Contracting
- Social Security Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition raises concerns about fair pricing and value.
- Bridge contract status may indicate procurement process deficiencies.
- High dollar value awarded without competitive bidding.
- No small business participation indicated.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, social-security-administration, va, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Social Security Administration awarded $23.2 million to MICROTECHNOLOGIES LLC. ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES BRIDGE CONTRACT (SS00-12-60077) TASK ORDER 0003 IGF::OT::IGF OTHER FUNCTIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MICROTECHNOLOGIES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Social Security Administration (Social Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2013-03-31. End: 2014-02-14.
What was the justification for not competing this $23.2M engineering support contract?
The justification for not competing this contract is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source or limited competition awards require detailed documentation outlining reasons such as urgency, unique capabilities, or lack of other responsible sources. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess the necessity of this procurement approach.
What are the risks associated with awarding a bridge contract of this magnitude without competition?
The primary risks include paying inflated prices due to the absence of competitive pressure, potential for vendor lock-in, and the possibility that the agency did not explore all available options. Bridge contracts, by nature, are temporary, so this award may also indicate underlying issues with the agency's long-term procurement planning or execution.
How does the lack of competition impact the effectiveness of this engineering support service acquisition?
The lack of competition significantly hinders the effectiveness of this acquisition. It removes the incentive for the vendor to offer the most cost-effective solution or the highest quality service. The agency may not be receiving the best value for its investment, and the absence of market comparison makes it difficult to gauge true effectiveness relative to potential alternatives.
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 COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8330 BOONE BLVD STE 600, VIENNA, VA, 11
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,641,914
Exercised Options: $23,221,980
Current Obligation: $23,221,980
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 3
Total Subaward Amount: $7,842,798
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: SS001260077
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2013-03-31
Current End Date: 2014-02-14
Potential End Date: 2014-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-01-31
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