Interior Department awards $4.7M for Enterprise Drupal PaaS, with CGI Federal Inc. as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,746,104 ($4.7M)

Contractor: CGI Federal Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-09-01

End Date: 2025-06-29

Contract Duration: 1,397 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE DRUPAL PAAS

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.7 million to CGI FEDERAL INC. for work described as: ENTERPRISE DRUPAL PAAS Key points: 1. Contract value of $4.7 million over its period of performance. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 4. Performance period spans from September 2021 to June 2025. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services'. 6. The contractor, CGI Federal Inc., is a significant player in the federal IT services market.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $4.7 million for an Enterprise Drupal PaaS over nearly four years suggests a moderate investment. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, Time and Materials contracts generally carry higher risk for cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar Drupal PaaS contracts would require access to more granular data on scope and deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources. The presence of 3 bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the specific number of bidders does not inherently guarantee the most competitive pricing without further analysis of the proposals received and the final award price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down prices through market forces and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The Department of the Interior benefits from enhanced digital services and platform management. Federal employees and potentially the public will interact with improved Drupal-based applications. The contract supports IT services within the federal government, contributing to digital infrastructure. Workforce implications are primarily within the IT services sector, supporting CGI Federal Inc.'s operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type increases risk of cost escalation if not closely managed.
Limited insight into specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
The scope of 'Enterprise Drupal PaaS' is broad and could encompass significant development or maintenance efforts.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
The contractor, CGI Federal Inc., has extensive experience in federal IT services.
The contract duration provides stability for service delivery and platform evolution.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within the federal government, is characterized by significant spending on software development, platform management, and cloud services. Enterprise Drupal Platform as a Service (PaaS) falls under this umbrella, supporting content management and web application needs. Federal spending in this area is substantial, with agencies continually seeking to modernize their digital infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale PaaS or custom software development contracts within civilian agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is also no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, CGI Federal Inc., will likely handle the majority of the work, with limited direct opportunities for small businesses unless they are part of CGI's supply chain or are brought in for specific, unstated subcontracting roles.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are usually embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems
Cloud Computing Services
Custom Software Development
IT Infrastructure Modernization
Web Content Management Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service details.
Limited public information on specific performance metrics and deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.7 million to CGI FEDERAL INC.. ENTERPRISE DRUPAL PAAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CGI FEDERAL INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-01. End: 2025-06-29.

What is CGI Federal Inc.'s track record with the Department of the Interior and similar federal agencies?

CGI Federal Inc. has a substantial track record of serving federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior. They are a large government contractor with numerous awards across various IT and professional services categories. Their experience often includes large-scale system integration, modernization, and managed services. A review of their past performance on similar Drupal PaaS or content management system contracts would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability. Historical data suggests they are a frequent awardee for complex IT solutions within the federal space, indicating a strong understanding of government procurement and operational requirements.

How does the $4.7 million contract value compare to other Enterprise Drupal PaaS contracts within the federal government?

The $4.7 million contract value for an Enterprise Drupal PaaS over approximately 3.7 years (from Sept 2021 to June 2025) positions it as a mid-tier federal IT services contract. Larger agencies might award significantly higher amounts for enterprise-wide solutions, potentially in the tens or hundreds of millions, especially if encompassing broader digital transformation initiatives or extensive customization. Smaller, more focused Drupal projects might be in the hundreds of thousands. This contract's value suggests a significant but not necessarily agency-transforming scope, likely focused on maintaining, enhancing, or expanding a core Drupal platform for specific departmental functions or bureaus within Interior.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for PaaS services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for Platform as a Service (PaaS) is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If project scope creeps, inefficiencies arise, or the contractor does not manage resources effectively, the total cost can exceed initial estimates. For PaaS, this could manifest as extended development cycles, prolonged support, or unexpected infrastructure needs. Robust oversight, clear task definitions, and diligent monitoring of hours and expenses are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

What does the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519) typically encompass in federal contracts?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is a broad category that covers a wide array of IT services not specifically classified under other codes like custom programming, computer systems design, or data processing. For a contract like this, it likely includes services such as IT consulting, IT support, cloud platform management, software implementation and maintenance, and potentially specialized services related to web platforms like Drupal. It signifies that the core service is computer-related but doesn't fit neatly into more specific IT sub-sectors, allowing flexibility for the agency to procure a diverse range of technical assistance.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Delivery Order' (aw)?

The 'aw' designation indicates this is a 'Delivery Order,' which is a type of order issued under an existing indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract vehicle. This means the $4.7 million award is not a standalone contract but rather a specific task or order placed against a larger, pre-established contract. Delivery orders allow agencies to procure goods or services incrementally as needed, providing flexibility. The underlying IDIQ contract would have undergone its own competition and award process, with this delivery order representing a specific call for services within that framework.

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 - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Timken Company

Address: 12601 FAIR LAKES CIR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,673,783

Exercised Options: $4,746,104

Current Obligation: $4,746,104

Actual Outlays: $4,746,104

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $1,396,570

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: IND13PC00021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline