DoD awards $10.1M Time & Materials contract to Computer Sciences Corporation for IT services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,111,159 ($10.1M)

Contractor: Computer Sciences Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2000-03-14

End Date: 2002-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,022 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.1 million to COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a large business, Computer Sciences Corporation. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 3. The contract duration was 1022 days. 4. The contract was for IT services, indicated by the 'VA' ST. 5. The award amount was $10,111,158.58.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract was Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. The award amount of $10.1M over approximately 2.8 years suggests a moderate annual spend.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure may limit price discovery and control.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may face increased costs due to the Time and Materials pricing model, which offers less cost certainty than fixed-price contracts.

Public Impact

Citizens rely on the Department of Defense for national security, making efficient IT spending crucial. This contract supports IT infrastructure and services vital for defense operations. The use of Time and Materials pricing warrants scrutiny to ensure value for taxpayer money.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type
No small business participation indicated

Positive Signals

Full and open competition

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically supporting defense operations. IT spending in the federal government is substantial, with significant portions allocated to software, hardware, and services.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication of small business participation in this contract. This represents a missed opportunity to support small businesses within the federal contracting landscape.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of Time and Materials contracts requires robust oversight to ensure costs are controlled and the work performed is necessary and efficient. The duration of the contract also necessitates ongoing monitoring.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Finance and Accounting Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of small business participation.
Limited price certainty compared to fixed-price contracts.
Requires strong government oversight to manage effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.1 million to COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMPUTER SCIENCES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Finance and Accounting Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-03-14. End: 2002-12-31.

What specific IT services were procured under this Time and Materials contract, and how was the necessity of each hour billed justified?

The specific IT services procured are not detailed in the provided data. However, for Time and Materials contracts, agencies must have strong internal controls and require detailed timesheets and justifications for all labor hours billed. This ensures that only necessary work is paid for and that the contractor is not overcharging for idle time or inefficient performance.

Given the Time and Materials structure, what mechanisms were in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure fair pricing for the government?

While Time and Materials contracts inherently carry higher cost risk, effective mitigation strategies include establishing labor hour ceilings, setting material cost limits, and defining a ceiling price for the overall contract. Regular performance reviews and audits by the contracting officer are also crucial to monitor spending and ensure the contractor's efficiency and adherence to the contract terms.

How did the full and open competition ensure that Computer Sciences Corporation's bid represented the best value for the government, considering the T&M structure?

Full and open competition aims to solicit offers from the widest possible range of responsible sources. While it increases the pool of bidders, the Time and Materials structure means the 'best value' determination relies heavily on the contractor's proposed labor rates, estimated hours, and the agency's ability to manage the contract effectively post-award to control the final cost.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Address: 7000 LINCOLN DR E, MARLTON, NJ, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0024496D8018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline