USDA's $5.8M SCOUT 2.0 Contract Awarded to Accenture Federal Services for Computer Systems Design

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,792,512 ($5.8M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-09-12

End Date: 2025-09-11

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: STATE SYSTEMS COMPREHENSIVE OUTLOOK AND UNIFIED TRACKER (SCOUT) 2.0

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $5.8 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: STATE SYSTEMS COMPREHENSIVE OUTLOOK AND UNIFIED TRACKER (SCOUT) 2.0 Key points: 1. Accenture Federal Services secured a significant contract for computer systems design services. 2. The contract falls under the 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code, indicating a focus on IT infrastructure and solutions. 3. The award method is 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 1095 days, with a total value of $5,792,511.67.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.8M for computer systems design services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for IT system development and integration would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government. This method allows all eligible vendors to bid, fostering a competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award process is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for the IT services procured.

Public Impact

Improved IT systems for the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Potential for enhanced efficiency and data management within USDA financial operations. Modernization of critical government IT infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Potential for scope creep in complex IT projects.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Firm fixed price contract type provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract allows for sustained development and support.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly computer systems design, is a significant area of government spending. This contract aligns with the trend of agencies modernizing their IT infrastructure to improve operations and service delivery.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not the primary awardee, as the contract was awarded to Accenture Federal Services LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities exist within this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, suggesting internal oversight. The firm fixed price structure provides a degree of financial accountability. However, ongoing performance monitoring is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Office of the Chief Financial Officer Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in.
Dependence on a single large contractor.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
Integration challenges with existing systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $5.8 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. STATE SYSTEMS COMPREHENSIVE OUTLOOK AND UNIFIED TRACKER (SCOUT) 2.0

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-12. End: 2025-09-11.

What specific IT systems or functionalities will SCOUT 2.0 encompass, and how will its success be measured?

The provided data does not detail the specific functionalities of SCOUT 2.0. Success measurement would typically involve predefined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to system uptime, user satisfaction, data accuracy, and achievement of project milestones. These metrics are essential for evaluating the contract's effectiveness and ensuring value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with the implementation of SCOUT 2.0, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential technical challenges during integration, cybersecurity threats, user adoption issues, and vendor performance deviations. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, phased implementation, regular security audits, comprehensive user training, and clear performance clauses within the contract. The firm fixed price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks.

How does the awarded contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT system development projects of this scale?

Without specific details on SCOUT 2.0's scope, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, $5.8M over three years for a comprehensive IT system project is within a plausible range for government contracts. Factors like complexity, required expertise, and integration with legacy systems heavily influence pricing. Independent cost estimates and market research would refine this comparison.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 12314422Q0110

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Novetta Solutions, LLC

Address: 800 N GLEBE RD STE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,792,512

Exercised Options: $5,792,512

Current Obligation: $5,792,512

Actual Outlays: $5,792,512

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 6

Total Subaward Amount: $2,689,427

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12314420A0032

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline