DoD's $171M IT contract with CSRA Information Systems LLC awarded in 1999, spanning nearly 9 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,132,634 ($17.1M)

Contractor: Csra Information Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 1999-10-01

End Date: 2008-06-23

Contract Duration: 3,188 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.1 million to CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract value of $171.3M over its lifecycle suggests significant IT support requirements. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 3. The contract's duration of nearly 9 years points to a long-term need for sustained services. 4. Time and Materials pricing structure may pose cost control challenges if not managed diligently. 5. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is a major IT procurer, making this contract typical for the sector. 6. Contractor CSRA Information Systems LLC has a history of large federal IT awards. 7. The 'VA' (Virginia) location suggests a concentration of IT services within a key federal hub.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific service details and comparable contract data from the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, a $171M spend over nearly 9 years for IT services indicates a substantial investment. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while flexible, can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not carefully managed and monitored for scope creep. Without detailed performance metrics or comparisons to similar DISA contracts of that era, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and service offerings. The presence of 2 bids (as indicated by 'no': 2) suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific award, which is not exceptionally high but indicates more than a single bidder participated.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of vendors to compete, which can drive down prices and improve service quality through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its various branches, receiving essential IT support services. Services delivered likely included IT infrastructure management, network support, software development, or maintenance, crucial for military operations. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around DISA facilities and military installations, particularly in Virginia where the contract was managed. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for IT professionals within the contractor's organization and potentially for subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can lead to cost overruns if not rigorously managed and monitored for scope.
The long duration of the contract (nearly 9 years) might indicate a lack of agile adaptation to evolving IT needs or a reliance on legacy systems.
Limited competition (2 bidders) could suggest potential for less aggressive pricing compared to contracts with higher bidder counts.
Lack of specific service details makes it difficult to assess the true value and performance against stated objectives.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for market-driven value.
The contractor, CSRA Information Systems LLC, is a known entity in the federal IT space, suggesting established capabilities.
The contract's duration implies a stable and reliable IT support structure was established for the DoD.
The 'VA' (Virginia) award location aligns with significant federal IT infrastructure and support hubs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically supporting defense-related IT infrastructure and services. The federal IT market is vast, with agencies like the Department of Defense being major spenders. Contracts of this magnitude are common for large-scale IT support, system integration, and maintenance. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large IT service contracts awarded to major federal IT contractors by defense agencies during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct implications for small business set-asides. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's strategy, but without specific clauses or reporting, it's difficult to ascertain the extent of their involvement. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless CSRA actively pursued small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would have been managed by the Department of Defense, likely through the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Accountability measures would typically involve performance reviews, adherence to contract terms, and financial audits. Transparency would be subject to federal procurement regulations of the time. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse was suspected.

Related Government Programs

DoD IT Modernization Programs
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) IT Services
Federal IT Infrastructure Support Contracts
Time and Materials IT Contracts
Large-Scale IT Service Delivery

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Limited competition may have reduced price negotiation leverage.
Contract duration raises questions about adaptability to evolving technology.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.1 million to CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 1999-10-01. End: 2008-06-23.

What specific IT services were provided under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact IT services rendered. However, given the contractor (CSRA Information Systems LLC) and the awarding agency (Defense Information Systems Agency - DISA), the services likely encompassed a broad range of IT support. This could include network operations and maintenance, system administration, cybersecurity support, software development and maintenance, help desk services, and potentially IT infrastructure management. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure suggests services that might have been difficult to scope precisely upfront, such as ongoing support, emergent needs, or research and development activities.

How does the $171.3 million contract value compare to similar IT contracts awarded by DoD in the late 1990s?

The $171.3 million value for a nearly 9-year IT contract awarded in 1999 by the DoD is substantial, reflecting the significant IT investments made by the military during that period. Large-scale IT support and system integration contracts were common. While precise comparisons are difficult without access to historical procurement databases and specific service details, this figure aligns with major IT service contracts awarded to large federal contractors. It suggests a significant scope of work, potentially encompassing enterprise-level IT support or major system development/maintenance for DISA or other DoD components.

What are the risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this duration?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, especially those spanning nearly nine years like this one, carry inherent risks. The primary risk is cost escalation, as the government pays for the time and materials used, which can be less predictable than fixed-price contracts. Without stringent oversight, scope creep, inefficient labor practices, or inflated material costs can significantly increase the total expenditure. For a contract of this length, there's also a risk that the technology or services procured become outdated, or that the T&M structure disincentivizes the contractor from finding efficiencies, as more time spent could mean more revenue.

What does the limited competition (2 bidders) imply for the government and taxpayers?

The fact that only two bids were received for this 'full and open' competition suggests that the market for this specific type of IT service, or the requirements of the solicitation, may have limited the number of interested and capable vendors. While 'full and open' competition is ideal, a low number of bidders can sometimes indicate less robust price discovery. This could potentially lead to higher prices than if there had been more competition. For taxpayers, this means there might have been less downward pressure on costs, and the government may not have secured the absolute best value achievable in a more competitive scenario.

What is the track record of CSRA Information Systems LLC regarding federal IT contracts?

CSRA Information Systems LLC (and its successor entities through mergers and acquisitions, such as General Dynamics Information Technology) has a long and extensive history of performing large IT services contracts for the U.S. federal government, including the Department of Defense. They have been a significant player in the federal IT landscape for decades, handling complex systems integration, IT modernization, and operational support across various agencies. Their track record generally includes managing large, multi-year contracts, often in the defense and civilian sectors, indicating substantial experience and capacity in delivering federal IT solutions.

How did the contract's performance context (e.g., 'VA' for Virginia) influence its execution?

The 'VA' designation likely indicates that the contract was managed or performed in Virginia, a state with a high concentration of federal agencies, military bases, and defense contractors. This geographic proximity can facilitate contract management, oversight, and communication between the government contracting officers and the contractor's personnel. It may also suggest that the services provided were in direct support of DoD operations or infrastructure located within or managed from Virginia. The presence of a large IT workforce in the region could also have eased the contractor's ability to staff the contract effectively.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 15000 CONFERENCE CENTER D, CHANTILLY, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DCA20099D5011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline