USDA awards $2M for urgent scientific computing, highlighting custom programming needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,000,000 ($20.0M)

Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-06-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,187 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FY23-APH-ST-MRP-2_SCIENTIFICCOMPUTING ARP URGENT FUNDING FOR SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $20.0 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: FY23-APH-ST-MRP-2_SCIENTIFICCOMPUTING ARP URGENT FUNDING FOR SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical, time-sensitive scientific computing requirements. 2. Focus on custom computer programming services suggests unique software development. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 4. Long duration of nearly four years indicates a substantial, ongoing project. 5. Single award suggests a specific capability or urgency drove the selection. 6. Geographic focus on Alabama for this specific award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2 million for custom computer programming services over nearly four years appears reasonable for a specialized, urgent need. Benchmarking against similar custom software development contracts is challenging without more detail on the specific scientific computing tasks. However, the firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the government. The absence of competition, however, limits the ability to assess if this represents the best possible value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicated by 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests that either only one vendor possessed the necessary specialized skills or the urgency of the requirement precluded a competitive process. The lack of competition means there was no direct price comparison or opportunity for multiple vendors to propose solutions, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for taxpayers to benefit from competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple bids were considered.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) by providing essential scientific computing capabilities. Delivers custom computer programming services crucial for scientific research and data analysis. Geographic impact is noted in Alabama, where the contract is administered or performed. Workforce implications may involve specialized IT professionals and scientific personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and limited innovation.
Urgency-driven award may bypass standard procurement efficiencies.
Sole-source nature limits transparency in vendor selection and pricing justification.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Long-term contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need for specialized services.
Focus on scientific computing aligns with critical agency missions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. The market for such services is vast and competitive, but specialized scientific computing often requires niche expertise. The $2 million award is moderate for custom software development, but its 'urgent' nature and sole-source award suggest a specific, perhaps unique, requirement that may not be easily benchmarked against broader IT spending.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false) and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements (sb: false). This suggests the primary contractor, AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC, is likely a larger entity, and the nature of the work may not lend itself to significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. This award does not appear to directly support small business set-aside goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's internal procurement and program management offices. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal acquisition regulations. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Scientific Computing Services
Custom Software Development
IT Services for Government Agencies
Department of Agriculture IT Contracts
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Urgency clause may indicate potential for rushed execution or higher costs.
Lack of small business involvement noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $20.0 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. FY23-APH-ST-MRP-2_SCIENTIFICCOMPUTING ARP URGENT FUNDING FOR SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What specific scientific computing tasks does this contract support for APHIS?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING ARP URGENT FUNDING FOR SCIENTIFIC COMPUTING PROJECT'. While the specific tasks are not detailed, this suggests the funding is directed towards enhancing or establishing computing capabilities essential for APHIS's mission, likely involving complex data analysis, modeling, simulation, or high-performance computing for areas such as disease tracking, pest management, or agricultural research. The 'urgent' nature implies a critical, time-sensitive need that could relate to emerging threats or immediate research priorities.

How does the $2 million value compare to similar urgent scientific computing projects?

Benchmarking the $2 million value for an urgent scientific computing project is difficult without specific details on the scope and duration of comparable contracts. However, for custom software development and specialized IT services, $2 million is a moderate amount. Urgent requirements can sometimes command premium pricing due to limited vendor availability and expedited timelines. The firm fixed price suggests an effort to control costs despite the urgency. A more thorough comparison would require analyzing contracts with similar urgency clauses, technical requirements, and performance periods within the federal government.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for critical scientific computing?

The primary risks of a sole-source award for critical scientific computing include potential lack of competitive pricing, leading to overpayment; limited vendor innovation, as there's no pressure from competitors; and reduced transparency in the selection and negotiation process. There's also a risk that the chosen vendor may not be the absolute best fit or most cost-effective solution available in the market. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor can create dependency and potential vulnerabilities if that vendor faces issues.

What is the track record of AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC in federal contracting, particularly for scientific computing?

Information on AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC's specific track record in federal contracting, especially for scientific computing, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, client feedback, and any history of successful project completion or challenges. Their designation under NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) indicates relevant experience, but the scale and nature of past projects would be key to evaluating their capability for this specific $2 million urgent award.

What are the implications of the nearly four-year contract duration for scientific computing needs?

The duration of nearly four years (1187 days) for this scientific computing contract suggests that the requirement is not a short-term fix but rather an ongoing need for sustained development, maintenance, or support of critical computing infrastructure or applications. This long-term commitment implies a strategic investment by APHIS in their scientific capabilities. It also presents potential risks related to technology obsolescence, evolving scientific needs, and vendor performance over an extended period, necessitating robust oversight and potential for contract modifications.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending landscape for IT services within the Department of Agriculture?

This $2 million contract represents a specific investment within the Department of Agriculture's broader IT spending portfolio. While seemingly modest in the context of total federal IT budgets, its focus on 'urgent scientific computing' and its sole-source nature suggest it addresses a high-priority, potentially unique need within APHIS. Understanding its place requires comparing it to other IT procurements within USDA, particularly those related to research, data analytics, and mission-critical systems, to gauge its relative significance and strategic alignment.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 350 VOYAGER WAY, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,000,000

Exercised Options: $20,000,000

Current Obligation: $20,000,000

Actual Outlays: $16,944,667

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $9,878,833

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline