Commerce Dept. awards $11.7M for SharePoint & O365 support, highlighting IT infrastructure needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,717,843 ($11.7M)

Contractor: Cyberdata Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-09-27

End Date: 2026-09-26

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SHAREPOINT ONLINE AND O365 COLLABORATION TOOLS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $11.7 million to CYBERDATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: SHAREPOINT ONLINE AND O365 COLLABORATION TOOLS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential collaboration tools, indicating a need for robust digital infrastructure. 2. Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. secured this award, suggesting established capabilities in IT support. 3. The contract duration of five years points to a long-term commitment to these services. 4. Pricing structure is firm-fixed-price, offering cost predictability for the agency. 5. This award falls under computer systems design services, a critical sector for government operations. 6. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is the primary beneficiary, underscoring its reliance on these tools.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.7 million over five years for SharePoint and O365 support appears reasonable given the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar IT infrastructure support contracts for federal agencies suggests that this pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost overruns, contributing to good value for money. The specific services include maintaining and enhancing collaboration platforms, which are vital for agency operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a robust bidding process. While the specific number of bidders isn't detailed, this approach generally fosters a competitive environment. The inclusion of 'after exclusion of sources' suggests that initial proposals might have been limited, but the final award was made through a broad competitive solicitation. This method aims to ensure the best possible offer is secured.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process, even with initial exclusions, is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and ensures the government receives competitive pricing.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will benefit from enhanced collaboration and productivity tools. The services delivered will ensure the continued operation and improvement of critical digital infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within the agency's operational locations, supporting its mission. Workforce implications include the potential for IT support roles and the need for user training on updated systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed exclusively for this contract.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical collaboration tools could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing and service.
Long-term contract (5 years) allows for stable support and planning.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on cloud-based collaboration and productivity software. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous providers offering solutions for enterprise-level deployments. Government spending in this area is substantial as agencies increasingly adopt cloud technologies to improve efficiency and reduce infrastructure costs. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts often range from millions to tens of millions annually, depending on the scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded through full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. Therefore, direct subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed within this award notice. However, the prime contractor, Cyberdata Technologies, Inc., may engage small businesses for specialized support or services as part of their overall project execution, though this is not a requirement of the contract itself.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule contracts
Cloud Computing Services
Software and Application Development
IT Infrastructure Management
Microsoft 365 Services

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on contractor performance
Scope creep risk in IT projects

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $11.7 million to CYBERDATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. SHAREPOINT ONLINE AND O365 COLLABORATION TOOLS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CYBERDATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-27. End: 2026-09-26.

What is Cyberdata Technologies, Inc.'s track record with similar federal IT support contracts?

Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. has a history of performing IT support and systems integration services for various federal agencies. While specific details on past SharePoint and O365 support contracts are not provided in this summary, their designation as a provider for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office suggests a level of established capability and trust. Further investigation into their contract history, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and past performance on similar scope contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record and suitability for this specific requirement.

How does the $11.7 million value compare to similar IT collaboration tool support contracts?

The $11.7 million contract value over five years, averaging approximately $2.34 million per year, is within the expected range for supporting enterprise-level collaboration tools like SharePoint and O365 for a federal agency. Comparable contracts for similar services can vary significantly based on the size of the agency, the complexity of the environment, and the specific services required (e.g., basic maintenance vs. advanced customization and integration). However, this figure appears competitive, especially given it was awarded under full and open competition, which typically drives down costs.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the Department of Commerce?

Key risks include potential performance issues from the contractor, leading to disruptions in essential collaboration services. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract doesn't adequately account for unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep, although the FFP structure aims to mitigate this. Another risk is the potential for vendor lock-in, making it difficult or costly to switch providers in the future. Ensuring robust performance metrics and clear deliverables within the contract is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective are SharePoint and O365 collaboration tools in enhancing federal agency productivity?

SharePoint and O365 collaboration tools are generally considered highly effective in enhancing federal agency productivity when implemented and managed properly. They offer integrated platforms for document management, communication, team collaboration, and workflow automation, which can streamline processes and improve information sharing. Benefits include centralized data storage, real-time co-authoring, enhanced communication channels (like Teams), and improved project management capabilities. Their effectiveness is contingent on adequate training, user adoption, and ongoing technical support, such as that provided by this contract.

What is the historical spending trend for IT support services at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?

Analyzing historical spending trends for IT support services at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) would require access to detailed procurement data beyond this single award. However, it's reasonable to assume that as a technology-reliant agency, the USPTO has consistently invested in IT infrastructure and support. Spending in this area typically fluctuates based on modernization initiatives, system upgrades, and the lifecycle of existing technologies. This $11.7 million award represents a significant, multi-year investment in critical collaboration tools, suggesting a sustained focus on maintaining and enhancing their digital capabilities.

What is the significance of the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' contract type?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' (often referred to as FAR 6.302-1 or similar justifications) indicates that while the agency intended to compete the requirement broadly, there was an initial phase where certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific technical requirements, prior work, or other justifications. However, the contract was ultimately awarded through a process that allowed all responsible sources to submit an offer. This suggests a balance between ensuring specific needs are met and maximizing competition to achieve the best value for the government.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1333BJ21Q00280064

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 455 SPRINGPARK PL STE 300, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,956,341

Exercised Options: $11,717,843

Current Obligation: $11,717,843

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200126W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline