USDA awards $15M for Enterprise Geospatial Portal Next Generation to ICF Incorporated, L.L.C

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,080,288 ($15.1M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE GEOSPATIAL PORTAL NEXT GENERATION

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $15.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: ENTERPRISE GEOSPATIAL PORTAL NEXT GENERATION Key points: 1. Contract value of $15.08M over three years suggests a significant investment in geospatial capabilities. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. The fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government, but could limit flexibility. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511 points to custom computer programming services. 5. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) allows for sustained development and implementation. 6. The award to ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. represents a substantial single award within this category.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $15.08 million over three years for an Enterprise Geospatial Portal Next Generation appears reasonable for custom software development and implementation. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT development contracts, this figure falls within expected ranges for complex system builds. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests the government has a clear understanding of the scope and aims for predictable costs, which is a positive indicator of value if the scope is well-defined and managed effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 5 bids indicates a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While not an exceptionally high number of bidders, full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer, which could include a combination of technical merit and cost.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions, potentially leading to a lower overall cost for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the USDA Forest Service, enabling enhanced management and analysis of geospatial data. The contract will deliver a next-generation enterprise geospatial portal, likely improving data accessibility, visualization, and analytical capabilities. The geographic impact is nationwide, supporting the Forest Service's operations across all its managed lands. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT and geospatial professionals within ICF and potentially for training USDA staff on the new system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in custom software development projects if requirements are not meticulously managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical IT system could pose risks if performance issues arise.
Ensuring adequate knowledge transfer and documentation to facilitate future maintenance and upgrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract duration allows for comprehensive development and implementation phases.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract for an Enterprise Geospatial Portal Next Generation fits within the broader trend of government agencies investing in advanced data management and analytical platforms. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale IT system development and implementation projects can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars, depending on complexity and scope. The Forest Service's need for such a portal is driven by the increasing reliance on geospatial data for land management, environmental monitoring, and resource allocation.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, the 'ss' flag is also false, suggesting no specific small business subcontracting goals were explicitly mandated in the provided data. This means that while ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. may choose to subcontract with small businesses, there is no direct requirement for it under this award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore indirect, relying on the prime contractor's procurement practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that performance monitoring will focus on adherence to the defined scope, schedule, and quality standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed here, the USDA Office of Inspector General typically oversees federal spending to ensure efficiency and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Software Development
Cloud Computing Services for Government
Custom Software Development Contracts
Data Analytics Platforms

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in custom software development.
Contractor performance risk.
Adequacy of competition for specialized IT services.
Long-term maintainability and scalability of the developed system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $15.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. ENTERPRISE GEOSPATIAL PORTAL NEXT GENERATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. in delivering large-scale geospatial IT projects for federal agencies?

ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. has a substantial history of providing IT and consulting services to various federal agencies, including those involved in environmental and resource management. While specific details on their past performance on 'Enterprise Geospatial Portal Next Generation' type projects would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reports, their general profile suggests experience with complex IT solutions. Agencies often award contracts to established firms with a proven ability to manage large budgets and deliver on technical requirements. A review of their past federal contracts, particularly those with the Department of Agriculture or similar agencies, would reveal the scale and complexity of geospatial IT systems they have previously developed or managed, providing insight into their capabilities and potential risks associated with this new award.

How does the $15.08 million contract value compare to similar federal investments in geospatial portals?

The $15.08 million contract value for an Enterprise Geospatial Portal Next Generation over three years is a significant but not extraordinary investment within the federal IT landscape. Large-scale custom software development and system integration projects for federal agencies often fall within this range, and can sometimes exceed it considerably depending on the scope, complexity, and number of users. For instance, developing a comprehensive, nationwide portal with advanced analytical capabilities, data integration from disparate sources, and robust security features can easily command such figures. When compared to other federal GIS or geospatial data management initiatives, this award appears to be in line with substantial, multi-year system development efforts, suggesting a commitment to a robust and modern solution rather than a minor upgrade or off-the-shelf product.

What are the primary risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for custom software development like this?

The primary risk with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract for custom software development lies in the potential for scope creep and the contractor's incentive to minimize costs, which could impact quality or features if not managed carefully. If the government's requirements evolve significantly after the contract is awarded, managing those changes under an FFP structure can lead to costly change orders or disputes. Conversely, the contractor might be incentivized to cut corners on development or testing to maximize profit, potentially leading to a less robust or feature-rich product than initially envisioned. Effective government oversight, clear initial requirements, and a well-defined change management process are crucial to mitigating these risks and ensuring the project delivers the intended value.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring the best value for taxpayer dollars in complex IT procurements?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring the best value for taxpayer dollars in complex IT procurements. By allowing all responsible sources to compete, the government maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving innovative solutions and competitive pricing. This broad competition drives down costs as vendors vie for the contract. Furthermore, it provides a transparent and equitable process, reducing the risk of favoritism and ensuring that the contract is awarded based on merit and value. While it requires more effort in terms of proposal evaluation, the potential for cost savings and superior technical solutions typically outweighs these administrative burdens.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the future spending patterns for USDA's geospatial IT infrastructure?

This contract for an 'Enterprise Geospatial Portal Next Generation' signals a strategic investment by the USDA, likely indicating a shift towards modernizing its geospatial IT infrastructure. The success and adoption of this new portal could influence future spending by establishing a new standard for data management and analysis. It may lead to increased investment in related technologies, such as advanced analytics, cloud services, and data integration tools that complement the portal's capabilities. Conversely, if the portal proves highly efficient and consolidates previous systems, it might lead to cost savings in the long run by reducing the need for multiple, disparate systems. Future spending will likely focus on maintaining, enhancing, and expanding the portal's functionalities based on evolving user needs and technological advancements.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) for this contract?

The NAICS code 541511, 'Custom Computer Programming Services,' is highly significant as it precisely defines the core nature of the work being procured. This classification indicates that the contract is not for off-the-shelf software or general IT support, but rather for the design, development, and implementation of unique software solutions tailored to the specific needs of the USDA Forest Service. This implies a complex project involving custom coding, system integration, and potentially the development of new functionalities not available in standard software packages. It signals that the government requires a bespoke solution to address its unique geospatial data management and analysis challenges, necessitating specialized programming expertise.

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 - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 12760423Q0046

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLAZA, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $79,043,645

Exercised Options: $20,966,656

Current Obligation: $15,080,288

Actual Outlays: $11,358,787

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $1,145,962

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F328DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline