Accenture Federal Services awarded $14.8M contract for USPTO data asset foundation enablement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,848,305 ($14.8M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2022-07-26

End Date: 2026-07-25

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: USPTO DATA AS AN ENTERPRISE ASSET (DAAEA) FOUNDATION ENABLEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $14.8 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: USPTO DATA AS AN ENTERPRISE ASSET (DAAEA) FOUNDATION ENABLEMENT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on foundational enablement for USPTO data as an enterprise asset. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating broad market participation. 3. Delivery order under a larger contract vehicle suggests potential for follow-on work. 4. Contract duration of 4 years points to a significant, long-term project. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512 signifies computer systems design services. 6. This contract aligns with broader government initiatives to leverage data for improved services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.8 million over four years for enterprise data enablement appears reasonable, especially considering the complexity of modernizing data infrastructure. Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT modernization contracts within federal agencies suggests this is within a typical range. The pricing structure, likely based on labor hours, will be a key factor in determining the ultimate value for money. Further analysis of the specific tasks and deliverables against industry standards would provide a more precise assessment.

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 offers. The presence of 5 bids indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this type of IT service. This competitive process is expected to drive price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing for the services rendered. The number of bidders suggests that the market for these specialized services is robust.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure the best possible price and quality for essential IT services, preventing potential overspending.

Public Impact

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will benefit from enhanced data management and accessibility. Improved data infrastructure can lead to more efficient patent and trademark processing. This initiative supports the government's broader goal of making data more accessible and usable. The project may involve specialized IT professionals, potentially impacting the federal IT workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if foundational enablement requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependence on contractor expertise could pose a risk if knowledge transfer is insufficient.
Integration challenges with existing USPTO systems may arise.

Positive Signals

Focus on 'data as an enterprise asset' aligns with modern data governance best practices.
Award through full and open competition suggests a well-defined requirement and market interest.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained focus and development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and integration. The market for enterprise data management and IT foundation enablement is substantial within the federal government, driven by ongoing digital transformation initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar data modernization projects across agencies like GSA, IRS, or other large civilian departments would likely show significant investment in this area. The USPTO's need for robust data infrastructure is critical for its core mission.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to a large prime contractor like Accenture Federal Services suggests that the primary focus was on capabilities and scale rather than small business participation. This may limit direct opportunities for small businesses on this specific contract, though they might be involved in the broader ecosystem or through other USPTO contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's contracting officers and program managers. Standard government oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews, milestone tracking, and financial audits, are expected to be in place. Transparency will depend on the USPTO's policies regarding the public disclosure of contract performance data and reports. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

USPTO IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Data Strategy Initiatives
Enterprise IT Services Contracts
Cloud Computing and Data Infrastructure

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Complexity of data integration
Risk of undefined scope

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $14.8 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. USPTO DATA AS AN ENTERPRISE ASSET (DAAEA) FOUNDATION ENABLEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

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 $14.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-26. End: 2026-07-25.

What is the specific definition and scope of 'USPTO DATA AS AN ENTERPRISE ASSET (DAAEA) FOUNDATION ENABLEMENT'?

The provided data indicates the contract's purpose is 'USPTO DATA AS AN ENTERPRISE ASSET (DAAEA) FOUNDATION ENABLEMENT'. This suggests the project aims to establish the fundamental infrastructure, policies, and capabilities required for the USPTO to treat its data as a strategic enterprise asset. This likely involves activities such as data architecture design, data governance framework implementation, data cataloging, master data management, and potentially the establishment of data lakes or warehouses. The 'foundation enablement' aspect implies building the core components upon which future data-driven initiatives can be built, rather than implementing specific analytical applications. The $14.8 million value over four years suggests a comprehensive, long-term effort to mature the USPTO's data management capabilities.

How does the $14.8 million contract value compare to similar federal IT modernization efforts?

The $14.8 million contract value for a four-year foundational IT enablement project at the USPTO is within a reasonable range for federal IT modernization efforts. Large-scale data infrastructure and systems design contracts often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. For instance, agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration have undertaken multi-year, multi-million dollar initiatives for data modernization and IT system overhauls. While specific comparisons depend heavily on the scope and deliverables, this award suggests a significant but not exceptionally large investment for establishing a data foundation. The key will be the efficiency and effectiveness with which Accenture Federal Services delivers the foundational capabilities.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'foundation enablement' contract of this nature?

Potential risks in a 'foundation enablement' contract include scope definition challenges, technological obsolescence, integration difficulties, and vendor lock-in. 'Foundation enablement' can be abstract, leading to potential scope creep if requirements are not meticulously defined and managed. The rapid pace of technological change means that the foundational elements built today could become outdated before the full benefits are realized. Integrating new foundational systems with legacy USPTO infrastructure presents significant technical hurdles. Furthermore, a heavy reliance on the contractor for design and implementation could lead to vendor lock-in, making future changes or transitions costly and complex. Robust project management, clear milestones, and strong government oversight are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does the 'full and open competition' with 5 bidders imply for the USPTO and taxpayers?

The award resulting from 'full and open competition' with 5 bidders signifies a healthy and accessible market for the required computer systems design services. For the USPTO, this means they likely received multiple proposals, allowing them to select the offer that best meets their technical requirements and offers the best value. For taxpayers, this competitive process is a positive indicator, as it generally drives down prices compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the requirement was well-understood and that the market has sufficient capacity to meet the government's needs, fostering price discovery and potentially leading to cost savings.

What is Accenture Federal Services' track record with similar large-scale federal IT contracts?

Accenture Federal Services (AFS) has a substantial track record of performing large-scale IT contracts across various federal agencies. They are a major player in the federal IT services market, frequently winning contracts related to system modernization, cloud migration, data analytics, and digital transformation. AFS has experience with agencies such as the Department of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Treasury. Their past performance on similar complex IT projects, including those involving data infrastructure and enterprise architecture, suggests they possess the necessary expertise and resources for the USPTO's DAAEA initiative. However, a detailed review of their specific performance on comparable contracts would be needed for a complete assessment.

How might this contract contribute to the USPTO's overall mission effectiveness?

By enabling USPTO data as an enterprise asset, this contract can significantly enhance the agency's mission effectiveness. A robust data foundation allows for better data quality, accessibility, and analysis, which are crucial for informed decision-making in areas like patent examination, trademark registration, and policy development. Improved data management can streamline internal processes, reduce redundancies, and potentially speed up service delivery to the public. Furthermore, a well-architected data enterprise supports innovation, enabling the USPTO to leverage advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning for future improvements. Ultimately, this foundational work supports the USPTO's core mission of promoting innovation and economic growth.

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

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

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: $17,639,818

Exercised Options: $14,848,305

Current Obligation: $14,848,305

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $630,113

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F540GA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline