Interior's $4.5M IT Services Contract Awarded to Accenture for Mission Support Platform

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,556,180 ($4.6M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-03-13

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 748 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: NATIONAL FLUIDS LEASE SALE SYSTEM (NFLSS) TASK ORDER: MISSION SERVICES PLATFORM (MSP) IDIQ

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.6 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: NATIONAL FLUIDS LEASE SALE SYSTEM (NFLSS) TASK ORDER: MISSION SERVICES PLATFORM (MSP) IDIQ Key points: 1. Contract focuses on IT services for a mission support platform, indicating a need for specialized technical expertise. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. Accenture Federal Services, a large established contractor, was selected, implying a focus on proven capability. 4. The contract duration extends over two years, suggesting a need for sustained support. 5. The specific NAICS code (541519) points to a broad range of computer-related services. 6. The contract type is a labor hour task order, allowing flexibility in service delivery. 7. The value of this specific task order is approximately $4.56 million.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.56 million for a two-year IT services task order appears reasonable given the scope of supporting a mission services platform. Benchmarking against similar IT services contracts for large federal agencies suggests that pricing for labor hour contracts can vary significantly based on skill sets and duration. Without specific details on the labor categories and hours, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the award to a well-established contractor like Accenture under full competition implies a degree of market validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the procurement suggests that the Department of the Interior sought to leverage market forces to obtain the best value. Full and open competition generally leads to a wider range of solutions and potentially more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a broader array of innovative solutions. This process helps ensure that government funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Interior's operational units that rely on the Mission Services Platform. The contract will deliver essential IT services, including potentially software development, maintenance, and support for the platform. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Interior's operational footprint, likely nationwide. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT professionals within Accenture to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the labor hour contract type if not managed diligently.
Reliance on a single large contractor may limit agility for future technology shifts.
Ensuring adequate performance metrics are in place to guarantee service quality.

Positive Signals

Award to an experienced contractor with a proven track record in federal IT services.
Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
Clear task order structure for a defined mission support platform.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under computer-related services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in platforms that support their core missions. The Department of the Interior's spending on such services is typical for a large agency managing diverse operations. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts can range widely, but this $4.56 million task order represents a moderate investment for a two-year period.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a task order under an IDIQ, it's possible that subcontracting opportunities may exist, but this is not explicitly detailed. The primary awardee, Accenture Federal Services, is a large business, suggesting that the focus of this particular award was on large-scale capabilities rather than small business development.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program/technical point of contact within the Department of the Interior. Performance monitoring, regular status meetings, and adherence to the Statement of Work are key accountability measures. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Civilian Agency IT Services
Mission Support Systems
Accenture Federal Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to labor-hour contract type.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure service quality.
Risk of vendor lock-in if not managed strategically.
Ensuring alignment with broader IT modernization goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.6 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. NATIONAL FLUIDS LEASE SALE SYSTEM (NFLSS) TASK ORDER: MISSION SERVICES PLATFORM (MSP) IDIQ

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-13. End: 2027-03-31.

What is Accenture Federal Services' track record with the Department of the Interior and similar federal IT contracts?

Accenture Federal Services has a significant history of contracting with various U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior. Their track record typically involves large-scale IT modernization, cloud migration, data analytics, and system integration projects. For the Department of the Interior specifically, Accenture has likely been involved in projects supporting land management, resource management, and administrative functions. Their experience with complex federal IT environments suggests a strong capability to handle the requirements of a Mission Services Platform. Past performance reviews and contract databases would provide more granular detail on their success rates and any past issues on similar contracts.

How does the $4.56 million value compare to similar IT services contracts for mission support platforms in other federal agencies?

The $4.56 million value for a two-year task order supporting a mission services platform is within a common range for federal IT services. However, direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific services, labor mix, and complexity of the platform. Large agencies like the Department of Defense or Health and Human Services might award larger or smaller contracts depending on the criticality and scope of their mission support systems. For instance, a contract focused solely on help desk support would likely be less expensive than one involving significant software development or system integration. This value suggests a focused scope of work rather than a comprehensive agency-wide IT overhaul.

What are the primary risks associated with this type of labor-hour contract for IT services?

Labor-hour contracts, while offering flexibility, carry inherent risks. A primary risk is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if project management is weak, leading to extended labor hours. There's also a risk of 'scope creep,' where additional tasks are added without formal modification, increasing costs. For the government, ensuring that the contractor is efficiently utilizing labor and not padding hours requires diligent oversight. Another risk is the potential for the contractor to prioritize billable hours over efficient problem-solving. Effective monitoring of progress against milestones and clear communication channels are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring value for this specific contract?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to submit offers, it maximizes the pool of potential providers, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For this IT services contract, it means the Department of the Interior likely received proposals from multiple vendors capable of delivering the required services. This competition pressures bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The ultimate effectiveness, however, also depends on the clarity of the solicitation's requirements and the rigor of the evaluation process.

What historical spending patterns exist for IT services within the Department of the Interior, and how does this contract fit?

The Department of the Interior historically spends significant amounts on IT services to manage its vast array of responsibilities, from land and resource management to public safety and administrative functions. Spending patterns often reflect agency priorities, such as modernization efforts, cybersecurity enhancements, and data management initiatives. This $4.56 million task order for a Mission Services Platform likely aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize or maintain critical operational systems. It represents a specific investment within the broader IT budget, potentially supporting a key component of the department's digital infrastructure rather than a standalone, large-scale program.

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 - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140D0425R0045

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, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,751,274

Exercised Options: $4,556,180

Current Obligation: $4,556,180

Actual Outlays: $2,916,140

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0424D0097

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline