Commerce Awards $6.86M Palantir Data Analytics PaaS to Thundercat Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,864,075 ($6.9M)
Contractor: Thundercat Technology, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-10-30
End Date: 2026-10-29
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: BIS PALANTIR DATA ANALYTICS PAAS SOLUTION (REFERENCE ORIGINAL PR 134410-24-0007)
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $6.9 million to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: BIS PALANTIR DATA ANALYTICS PAAS SOLUTION (REFERENCE ORIGINAL PR 134410-24-0007) Key points: 1. The contract is for a data analytics platform as a service (PaaS) solution. 2. Thundercat Technology, LLC is the awardee. 3. The contract has a period of performance of 729 days. 4. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $6.86 million for a 2-year data analytics PaaS solution appears within a reasonable range for specialized software and services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for data analytics platforms is difficult without more detailed scope information.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process was intended. However, the 'exclusion of sources' phrasing suggests specific capabilities or prior relationships may have influenced the initial pool of bidders, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding a critical data analytics capability for the Department of Commerce, with the expectation of improved operational efficiency and decision-making.
Public Impact
Enhances data analysis capabilities within the Department of Commerce. Supports data-driven decision-making for various departmental initiatives. Potential for improved efficiency in processing and understanding large datasets. The use of Palantir's technology may raise privacy and data security considerations for public data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited information on specific performance metrics or expected outcomes.
- The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further scrutiny regarding its justification and impact on competition.
- Reliance on a single vendor's platform (Palantir) could lead to vendor lock-in.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a competitive process.
- Addresses a clear need for advanced data analytics.
- Provides a defined period of performance for service delivery.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, particularly data analytics and platform solutions, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for PaaS solutions vary widely based on complexity, user base, and underlying technology, but multi-million dollar awards for specialized platforms are common.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the Department of Commerce effectively utilizes the Palantir platform and achieves the intended data analytics goals. Accountability for performance and cost management rests with the contracting officer and program managers.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- Office of the Secretary Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in with Palantir's proprietary technology.
- Lack of transparency regarding the 'exclusion of sources' justification.
- Limited information on performance metrics and expected outcomes.
- No explicit small business participation noted.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-commerce, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $6.9 million to THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC. BIS PALANTIR DATA ANALYTICS PAAS SOLUTION (REFERENCE ORIGINAL PR 134410-24-0007)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THUNDERCAT TECHNOLOGY, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-30. End: 2026-10-29.
What specific data analytics capabilities does this Palantir PaaS solution provide, and how do they align with the Office of the Secretary's strategic objectives?
The provided data lacks specifics on the exact functionalities of the Palantir PaaS solution. It is crucial to understand if it offers advanced data integration, visualization, predictive modeling, or AI-driven insights. Alignment with strategic objectives would require reviewing the Statement of Work and departmental performance goals to ensure the investment directly supports mission-critical functions and enhances decision-making processes.
What were the specific reasons for excluding other sources, and how was the fair and reasonable price determined for this sole-source-like competitive award?
The justification for excluding other sources under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' needs detailed examination. Typically, this implies a requirement for unique capabilities or compatibility with existing systems. Price reasonableness is usually assessed through market research, comparison to similar contracts, or cost analysis, but the specifics of this determination are not detailed in the provided data.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will the government measure the effectiveness and value derived from the Palantir data analytics platform?
Key performance indicators are essential for evaluating the success of this contract but are not explicitly stated in the provided data. Effective measurement would involve defining metrics related to data processing speed, accuracy of insights, user adoption rates, and the impact on specific departmental outcomes or cost savings. Regular performance reviews against these KPIs will determine the overall value and effectiveness of the acquired solution.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DATA CENTER
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Thundercat Technology LLC
Address: 11190 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 200, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,503,982
Exercised Options: $7,586,186
Current Obligation: $6,864,075
Actual Outlays: $2,195,781
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC92B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-10-30
Current End Date: 2026-10-29
Potential End Date: 2026-10-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-10
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