DoD's $13.7M Computer Sciences Corp. contract for custom programming services awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,677,843 ($13.7M)

Contractor: Computer Sciences Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-11-21

End Date: 2004-08-11

Contract Duration: 264 days

Daily Burn Rate: $51.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: 200410!002043!2100!W74V8H!DEF. CONTRACT. CMD. - WASHINGTON!DASW0198D0027 !A!N! !N!0011 ! !20031121!20041122!043991108!043991108!009581091!N!COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION !3160 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE !FALLS CHURCH !VA!22042!24448!013!51!EAST FALLS CHURCH !ARLINGTON !VIRGINIA !+000012523339!N!N!000000000000!D399!OTHER ADP & TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541511!E! !5!B!M! !A!D!20040930!B!F!Y!A! !A!U!U!2!002!A! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !A!A!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $13.7 million to COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION for work described as: 200410!002043!2100!W74V8H!DEF. CONTRACT. CMD. - WASHINGTON!DASW0198D0027 !A!N! !N!0011 ! !20031121!20041122!043991108!043991108!009581091!N!COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION !3160 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE !FALLS CHURCH !VA!22042!24448!013!51!EAST FALLS CHURCH !ARLI… Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Computer Sciences Corporation for custom computer programming services. 2. The contract was competed fully and openly, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration of 264 days indicates a medium-term project. 4. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a major component of the DoD. 5. The primary service category is Custom Computer Programming Services, a key IT function. 6. The contract value of $13.7 million falls within a moderate spending range for IT services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.7 million for custom computer programming services appears to be within a reasonable range for a project of this nature. However, without specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar DoD contracts for custom programming services would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive. The 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, which warrants attention.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery and ensuring fair access to government contracts, the specific number of bidders can influence the intensity of that competition. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more aggressive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it generally drives down costs through market forces. This approach ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, potentially leading to better value and innovation.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Army, which receives custom computer programming services to support its operations. The services delivered are custom software development and related IT support, crucial for modern military functions. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the Department of the Army's operational areas, potentially worldwide. Workforce implications include employment for IT professionals and programmers at Computer Sciences Corporation and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may not have driven the most aggressive pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value delivered.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, promoting a fair bidding process.
Contract awarded to a known entity, Computer Sciences Corporation, suggesting some level of established capability.
The contract addresses a specific need for custom programming services within the DoD.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls within the broader category of IT services, which includes software development, system integration, and IT consulting. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, with agencies like the Department of Defense requiring sophisticated solutions to manage complex operations. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for technological advancement, cybersecurity, and efficient data management. Comparable spending benchmarks for custom programming services vary widely based on project complexity, duration, and the specific technologies involved.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'SB' not being present in the relevant fields. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Computer Sciences Corporation, will likely handle the majority of the work, with potential subcontracting opportunities not specifically targeted towards small businesses through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense IT Services Contracts
Custom Computer Programming Services
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts
Information Technology Support Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful monitoring to prevent cost overruns.
Limited number of bidders (2) may indicate potential for higher pricing than in a more competitive scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $13.7 million to COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION. 200410!002043!2100!W74V8H!DEF. CONTRACT. CMD. - WASHINGTON!DASW0198D0027 !A!N! !N!0011 ! !20031121!20041122!043991108!043991108!009581091!N!COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION !3160 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE !FALLS CHURCH !VA!22042!24448!013!51!EAST FALLS CHURCH !ARLINGTON !VIRGINIA !+000012523339!N!N!000000000000!D399!OTHER ADP & TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541511!E! !5!B!M! !A!D!200

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-11-21. End: 2004-08-11.

What was the specific scope of work for Computer Sciences Corporation under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS code 541511) awarded to Computer Sciences Corporation. However, the specific scope of work, detailed deliverables, and performance objectives are not included in the abbreviated data. Typically, custom programming contracts involve the design, development, testing, and implementation of software tailored to the unique requirements of the client. This could range from developing new applications to modifying existing systems to meet evolving operational needs within the Department of the Army. Further details would be found in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

How does the $13.7 million contract value compare to other similar custom programming contracts awarded by the DoD?

The $13.7 million contract value for custom computer programming services is a moderate amount within the context of federal IT spending. The Department of Defense awards numerous contracts in this category, with values ranging from a few hundred thousand dollars for smaller projects to hundreds of millions for large-scale system development. Without a direct comparison of scope, duration, and complexity, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this specific contract. However, for a project spanning approximately 264 days (contract duration), $13.7 million suggests a significant undertaking, likely involving a dedicated team of developers and potentially complex integration requirements.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type for this service?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are used when the scope of work is well-defined but there's uncertainty about the exact costs. The primary risk for the government is that the contractor may incur costs higher than anticipated, but the government's payment is capped at the fixed fee plus the allowable costs. If the contractor is inefficient or faces unforeseen challenges, costs can escalate, potentially leading to a less favorable outcome for the government compared to a fixed-price contract. Effective oversight and robust cost accounting by the government are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contractor remains incentivized to control expenses.

What is the track record of Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) in delivering custom programming services to the federal government?

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), prior to its merger with SRA International to form CSRA, had a long history of providing IT services to the federal government, including custom programming. CSC was a major federal contractor across various agencies, including the Department of Defense. Their track record would encompass a wide range of projects, successes, and challenges. Analyzing past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any disputes or terminations associated with CSC's federal contracts would provide a more detailed understanding of their reliability and capability in delivering complex IT solutions.

How has federal spending on custom computer programming services evolved over the years?

Federal spending on custom computer programming services has generally trended upwards over the past two decades, driven by the increasing reliance on technology across all government agencies. The digital transformation initiatives, cybersecurity needs, and the demand for data analytics have fueled this growth. Agencies like the Department of Defense consistently represent a significant portion of this spending due to the complexity and scale of their IT requirements. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on budget allocations and strategic priorities, the overall trajectory indicates a sustained investment in IT services, including custom software development, to support government missions.

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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 6565 ARLINGTON BLVD, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DASW0198D0027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline