Wichita Tribal Enterprises awarded $9.2M for IHS.gov domain support, a definitive contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,246,222 ($9.2M)

Contractor: Wichita Tribal Enterprises, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-02-01

End Date: 2028-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PROVIDE IHS WITH SERVICES FOR WEBSITE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT, WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT, DATABASE MANAGEMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OVERALL SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES IHS.GOV DOMAIN IN ACCORDANCE W

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77007

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $9.2 million to WICHITA TRIBAL ENTERPRISES, LLC for work described as: PROVIDE IHS WITH SERVICES FOR WEBSITE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT, WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT, DATABASE MANAGEMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OVERALL SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES IHS.GOV DOMAIN IN ACCORDANCE W Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential digital infrastructure for Indian Health Services. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a structured procurement. 3. The contract duration of 5 years suggests a need for stable, long-term support. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. The award to a single entity implies specialized capabilities are required. 6. Performance is tied to critical website and database management functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.2 million over five years for comprehensive website and application support for IHS.gov appears reasonable given the scope of services. This includes development, content management, database administration, quality assurance, and ongoing maintenance. Benchmarking against similar government IT support contracts, the average annual cost of approximately $1.85 million falls within expected ranges for managing a significant federal domain. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency.

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.' While the specific reasons for excluding certain sources are not detailed, the 'full and open' aspect suggests that multiple bidders were likely considered. The exclusion of sources might indicate a need for specific certifications, past performance, or a unique capability that narrowed the field from the outset, but still allowed for broad competition among eligible entities.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with source exclusions, generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value by considering a wide range of qualified offerors.

Public Impact

Benefits American Indians and Alaska Natives by ensuring the continued availability and functionality of the IHS.gov website, a primary source of health information and services. Delivers critical IT services including website application development, content management, database management, and maintenance. Geographic impact is nationwide, supporting the digital presence of the Indian Health Service across all regions. Workforce implications include potential support roles for IT professionals and subject matter experts within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed solely by Wichita Tribal Enterprises.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose risks if performance issues arise.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.

Positive Signals

Award to a single entity suggests a strong alignment with specific requirements and potentially specialized expertise.
The five-year duration indicates a stable, long-term partnership beneficial for consistent service delivery.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides budget predictability and cost control for the agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a vital component of the broader IT services industry. The market for government IT support is substantial, with agencies increasingly relying on digital platforms for service delivery and information dissemination. This contract specifically addresses the need for maintaining and enhancing a critical public-facing website and its underlying infrastructure, a common requirement across federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar website management and application development contracts for federal agencies often range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on complexity and scale.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses indicated in the provided data. The award to Wichita Tribal Enterprises, LLC, a Native American-owned company, may align with broader federal goals for supporting minority-owned businesses, though it was not a formal small business set-aside. The absence of explicit small business provisions means direct subcontracting opportunities for smaller firms may be limited unless initiated by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Indian Health Service. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract's performance work statement and deliverables, with potential for contract modifications or termination for non-performance. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS, where award details are publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Modernization Programs
Website Development and Maintenance Services
Digital Services for Public Health Agencies
Indian Health Service IT Infrastructure Support
Government Application Hosting and Management

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical health information access.
Risk of security breaches due to the sensitive nature of health-related data.
Dependence on a single contractor for essential digital infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $9.2 million to WICHITA TRIBAL ENTERPRISES, LLC. PROVIDE IHS WITH SERVICES FOR WEBSITE APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT, WEB CONTENT MANAGEMENT, DATABASE MANAGEMENT, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND DEVELOPMENT, MAINTENANCE AND OVERALL SUPPORT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES IHS.GOV DOMAIN IN ACCORDANCE W

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WICHITA TRIBAL ENTERPRISES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-01. End: 2028-01-31.

What is the track record of Wichita Tribal Enterprises, LLC in performing similar federal IT contracts?

Information regarding Wichita Tribal Enterprises, LLC's specific track record on similar federal IT contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this definitive contract by the Department of the Interior suggests they possess the necessary qualifications, past performance, and financial stability to meet the requirements. To fully assess their track record, a review of their contract history in federal databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for performance ratings, past issues, and the scope of previous projects would be necessary. Understanding their experience with website application development, content management, and database administration for government entities would provide further insight into their capabilities for this specific IHS.gov domain support.

How does the $9.2 million contract value compare to similar federal website management contracts?

The $9.2 million contract value over five years, averaging approximately $1.85 million annually, is within the expected range for comprehensive management of a significant federal website like IHS.gov. Many federal agencies contract for similar services, including website development, content management, and ongoing maintenance. The cost is influenced by factors such as the complexity of the website, the volume of content, the number of users, security requirements, and the specific technical services required (e.g., database management, application development). While a precise benchmark requires comparing contracts with identical scopes and complexities, this value appears competitive for the described services, especially considering the firm fixed-price nature which caps the government's expenditure.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract and how are they mitigated?

Primary risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, leading to website downtime or security vulnerabilities, and the risk of vendor lock-in due to specialized knowledge. Mitigation strategies are embedded in the contract structure. The firm fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently. The contract likely includes performance standards and metrics that, if not met, could lead to penalties or termination. The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' process, if robust, should have selected a capable vendor. However, ongoing government oversight, regular performance reviews, and clear communication channels are crucial for continuous risk mitigation throughout the contract's lifecycle.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method for ensuring value?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad competition with the need for specific capabilities. It ensures that multiple qualified vendors can bid, fostering price discovery and value for taxpayers. However, the 'exclusion of sources' element means the pool of potential bidders is intentionally narrowed. The effectiveness hinges on the justification for exclusion; if based on legitimate, objective criteria related to essential capabilities or security, it can lead to a highly qualified winner without sacrificing the competitive aspect. If the exclusion is arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could limit competition and potentially lead to higher costs or a less optimal solution. Transparency in the exclusion rationale is key to assessing its impact on value.

What is the historical spending pattern for IHS.gov website support?

Historical spending data for IHS.gov website support prior to this $9.2 million definitive contract is not provided. To understand historical patterns, one would need to examine previous contracts awarded for the management and support of IHS.gov. This would involve looking at contract vehicles, award amounts, durations, and the contractors involved over the past several years. Analyzing this historical data would reveal trends in spending, identify any significant increases or decreases in costs, and show whether the support has been consistently provided through competitive or sole-source awards. Such analysis is crucial for assessing whether current spending represents a continuation of established trends or a significant shift.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'definitive contract'?

A definitive contract is a fixed-price contract that is fully funded and has a specific delivery schedule. Unlike an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, a definitive contract typically represents a complete agreement for a specific project or service with a defined scope, price, and timeline. For this IHS.gov support, it means the $9.2 million award is the total amount allocated, and the services are expected to be delivered within the specified period (February 1, 2023, to January 31, 2028). This provides clear financial and operational parameters for both the government and Wichita Tribal Enterprises, LLC, simplifying budgeting and performance management.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140D0423R0008

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 550 WESTCOTT. SUITE 452, HOUSTON, TX, 77007

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,788,480

Exercised Options: $9,246,222

Current Obligation: $9,246,222

Actual Outlays: $6,759,419

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline