NCI's $10.8M IT contract for cancer control data services awarded to Soft Tech Consulting, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,755,626 ($10.8M)

Contractor: Soft Tech Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-09-09

End Date: 2026-03-08

Contract Duration: 2,006 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) DIVISION OF CANCER CONTROL AND POPULATION SCIENCE (DCCPS)

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $10.8 million to SOFT TECH CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) DIVISION OF CANCER CONTROL AND POPULATION SCIENCE (DCCPS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of approximately 5.5 years provides a long-term engagement for IT services. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 4. The base award amount is $5.36M, with a potential ceiling of $10.76M, indicating flexibility in scope. 5. The contractor, Soft Tech Consulting, Inc., has a track record that warrants further examination for performance consistency. 6. The services are critical for the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Control and Population Science, supporting vital research and data management.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value is difficult to assess without detailed task orders and performance metrics. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for IT services, carries inherent risks of cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for research institutions would be necessary to determine if the hourly rates and overall cost are competitive. The potential ceiling of $10.76M over 5.5 years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $1.96M, which needs to be compared to the scope and complexity of the services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 10 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The number of bidders provides a good indication that the market was engaged and that the government received a range of proposals to evaluate.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used more efficiently by leveraging market forces to drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the researchers and staff within the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Control and Population Science (DCCPS). The contract supports critical IT services and infrastructure essential for managing and analyzing vast amounts of cancer-related data. This indirectly benefits the public by enabling advancements in cancer research, prevention strategies, and population health initiatives. The services are crucial for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of data used in public health policy decisions. The contract's impact is national, supporting a federal agency dedicated to understanding and combating cancer across the United States.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The potential ceiling of $10.76M requires careful management to ensure value for money.
The contractor's specific performance history on similar large-scale NCI contracts needs thorough review.
Ensuring adequate technical expertise and staffing levels from the contractor is crucial for success.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition with 10 bidders, indicating a competitive market.
Long contract duration (approx. 5.5 years) allows for stability and continuity of essential IT services.
The contract supports a critical mission within the National Cancer Institute, aligning with public health goals.
The base award of $5.36M suggests a significant initial commitment and potential for substantial work.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and IT support. The market for federal IT services is vast and highly competitive, with numerous companies vying for government contracts. This particular contract supports a specialized area within the broader IT landscape, catering to the unique data management and analytical needs of a leading cancer research institution. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large IT support contracts awarded to federal research agencies or health-related organizations.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through a set-aside program. However, the prime contractor, Soft Tech Consulting, Inc., may still choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy or to meet broader federal subcontracting goals. The absence of a small business set-aside means the primary competition was open to all eligible firms, regardless of size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of the Interior and the National Cancer Institute. The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) nature necessitates robust oversight to monitor labor hours, rates, and the necessity of tasks performed to prevent cost overruns. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction isn't detailed here, the HHS OIG typically oversees health-related programs, and the DOI OIG would oversee contracts managed by the Department of the Interior.

Related Government Programs

National Cancer Institute IT Support Contracts
Federal Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Health and Human Services IT Contracts
Cancer Research Data Management Systems
Population Science Research Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure service quality and efficiency.
Ensuring contractor's technical expertise remains current with evolving IT needs.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $10.8 million to SOFT TECH CONSULTING, INC.. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE (NCI) DIVISION OF CANCER CONTROL AND POPULATION SCIENCE (DCCPS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOFT TECH CONSULTING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-09. End: 2026-03-08.

What is the track record of Soft Tech Consulting, Inc. on similar government contracts, particularly those involving IT support for research institutions?

A thorough review of Soft Tech Consulting, Inc.'s past performance is crucial. This would involve examining their history on federal contracts, specifically looking for experience with IT services, custom programming, and support for scientific or research organizations. Key metrics to assess would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of deliverables, and any past performance issues or disputes. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS) would be vital. Understanding their success rate on Time and Materials contracts would also be important, given the nature of this award, to gauge their ability to manage costs effectively and provide documented value.

How does the estimated cost per year for this contract compare to similar IT support contracts for federal research agencies?

The potential annual spend for this contract, based on the ceiling of $10.76M over approximately 5.5 years, averages around $1.96M per year. To benchmark this effectively, we would need to compare it against IT support contracts awarded to similar federal research agencies like NIH institutes, CDC, or NSF. This comparison should consider the scope of services (e.g., custom programming, database management, network support, cybersecurity), the complexity of the IT environment, and the specific labor categories and rates involved. Without detailed task order data and specific service level agreements, a precise comparison is challenging, but the average annual spend provides a starting point for evaluating potential value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this specific NCI requirement?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or percentage. For the NCI's IT services, this means that if the contractor's staff are not efficient, if tasks take longer than expected, or if scope creep occurs without proper controls, the total cost could significantly exceed the initial estimates or even the contract ceiling. Effective risk mitigation requires stringent oversight, detailed tracking of all hours and expenses, clear definition of tasks, and robust change control processes to ensure that the work performed is necessary, efficient, and aligned with the NCI's objectives.

How effective are the current oversight mechanisms in place to manage the performance and costs of this contract?

The effectiveness of oversight depends heavily on the diligence of the contracting officers and program managers at the Department of the Interior and NCI. For a T&M contract, oversight must be particularly rigorous, focusing on verifying the necessity and efficiency of all labor hours and material costs. This includes regular reviews of timesheets, invoices, and progress reports, as well as performance metrics tied to service level agreements. The presence of a strong contract management plan, regular performance reviews, and clear communication channels between the government and the contractor are essential. Without specific details on these mechanisms, it's assumed standard federal contract oversight procedures are in place, but their practical effectiveness hinges on execution.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT services within the NCI Division of Cancer Control and Population Science (DCCPS)?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT services within the DCCPS is crucial for context. This would involve examining previous contracts awarded for similar IT support, data management, and programming services to this division or comparable divisions within NCI. Understanding the trend in spending over time—whether it has increased, decreased, or remained stable—can indicate changes in requirements, technological advancements, or shifts in funding priorities. Comparing the current contract's value and duration against historical expenditures can help identify whether this award represents a significant increase or decrease in investment and whether it aligns with established spending levels for essential IT functions.

Industry Classification

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

Solicitation ID: 140D0420Q0237

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4229 LAFAYETTE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,417,703

Exercised Options: $16,417,703

Current Obligation: $10,755,626

Actual Outlays: $10,374,832

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0740R

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline