NTT DATA Services awarded $4M contract for NIAID CIO IT support, extending to June 2026

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,020,967 ($4.0M)

Contractor: NTT Data Services Federal Government, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-20

End Date: 2026-06-26

Contract Duration: 310 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THIS TASK ORDER SOW IS TO PROVIDE THE NIAID CIO CONTRACTED SUPPORT PERSONNEL THAT HAVE THE REQUIRED SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE (SME) AND SKILL SETS APPROPRIATE TO ASSISTING IN DISCHARGING THE UNIQUE AND SPECIALIZED DUTIES FOR T

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.0 million to NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC for work described as: THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THIS TASK ORDER SOW IS TO PROVIDE THE NIAID CIO CONTRACTED SUPPORT PERSONNEL THAT HAVE THE REQUIRED SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE (SME) AND SKILL SETS APPROPRIATE TO ASSISTING IN DISCHARGING THE UNIQUE AND SPECIALIZED DUTIES FOR T Key points: 1. Contract provides specialized IT support personnel for NIAID CIO's unique duties. 2. Full and open competition was utilized for this contract award. 3. The contract is a fixed-price level of effort type, indicating defined scope and cost. 4. Performance is expected to be in Maryland, with a duration of 310 days. 5. This task order falls under Computer Systems Design Services NAICS code. 6. The award value is approximately $4 million, with an estimated completion date in mid-2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4 million for specialized IT support personnel over roughly 10 months appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The fixed-price level of effort structure suggests a controlled cost environment, but the ultimate value depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of the support provided by NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC.

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 offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wider pool of qualified contractors. The agency likely sought to leverage the competitive market to secure the best technical solution and price for these specialized IT support services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a broader range of innovative solutions, maximizing the value of federal dollars spent.

Public Impact

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) CIO office will benefit from enhanced IT support. Services delivered include contracted support personnel with subject matter expertise for specialized duties. The primary geographic impact is expected to be in Maryland, where the support personnel will be located. The contract supports the IT infrastructure and operational capabilities of a key federal research agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is not adequately transferred to government personnel.
Reliance on contractor personnel for critical IT functions could pose continuity risks if not managed properly.
Ensuring consistent quality and performance from contracted support staff requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Utilizes full and open competition, suggesting a competitive award process.
Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Contract duration is defined, allowing for planned resource allocation.
Awarded to a known entity, NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC, likely with a track record.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a critical component of the broader IT services industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of activities, including IT consulting, systems integration, and IT support. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting agency operations and modernization efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing IT support contracts awarded to other federal agencies for similar specialized roles.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC, is likely a large business, and the contract does not appear to mandate specific small business subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the NIAID CIO's office, with a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with the Statement of Work (SOW). The fixed-price level of effort structure implies that the contractor is paid for delivering a defined scope of work, and performance will be evaluated against this scope. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to award details.

Related Government Programs

NIAID IT Modernization Efforts
Federal IT Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services Contracts
Department of Health and Human Services IT Spending

Risk Flags

Potential for knowledge transfer gaps.
Reliance on contractor for specialized IT functions.
Performance quality dependent on contractor personnel expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.0 million to NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THIS TASK ORDER SOW IS TO PROVIDE THE NIAID CIO CONTRACTED SUPPORT PERSONNEL THAT HAVE THE REQUIRED SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE (SME) AND SKILL SETS APPROPRIATE TO ASSISTING IN DISCHARGING THE UNIQUE AND SPECIALIZED DUTIES FOR T

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-20. End: 2026-06-26.

What is the track record of NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC in providing similar IT support services to federal agencies, particularly within the health sector?

NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC has a significant presence in the federal contracting space, often securing awards for IT services across various agencies. While specific details on their performance for NIAID's CIO office are not detailed in this award notice, their history typically includes providing a range of IT solutions, including systems design, integration, and support. To fully assess their track record for this specific contract, a review of past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes on similar task orders or contracts with agencies like HHS or NIH would be necessary. This would involve examining data beyond the basic award information to understand their reliability, technical expertise, and ability to meet complex IT requirements within federal environments.

How does the approximate $4 million award value compare to similar IT support contracts for federal CIO offices?

The $4 million award value for specialized IT support personnel over approximately 10 months (from August 2025 to June 2026) is within a common range for federal IT support task orders. However, a precise comparison requires detailed analysis of the specific services rendered, the level of expertise required, and the duration. Contracts for similar roles within agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or other research-focused entities could serve as benchmarks. Factors such as the number of personnel supported, the complexity of the IT environment, and the specific skill sets (e.g., cybersecurity, cloud architecture, data analytics) would influence the cost. Without a direct comparison of the Statement of Work (SOW) and the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) or equivalent support hours, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but it appears to be a standard investment for specialized IT support.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential over-reliance on contractor personnel, leading to knowledge gaps if not managed properly, and the risk of performance not meeting the specialized requirements of the NIAID CIO. There's also a risk related to the continuity of services if the contractor experiences staffing issues. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract oversight by a COR, clear performance metrics within the SOW, regular performance reviews, and potentially requirements for knowledge transfer to government staff. The fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage their resources efficiently to maintain profitability, which can indirectly mitigate cost overruns.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be in ensuring cost-effectiveness for this IT support contract?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring cost-effectiveness in federal contracting. By allowing all responsible sources to bid, it fosters a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For this IT support contract, it means that multiple companies likely vied for the opportunity, presenting their best technical solutions and pricing. This competitive pressure helps ensure that the government secures services at a fair market price and selects the contractor offering the best overall value, rather than simply the lowest bid. The effectiveness is further enhanced if the evaluation criteria are well-defined and weighted appropriately to balance technical merit with cost.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support services at NIAID or similar NIH institutes?

Historical spending patterns for IT support services at NIAID and similar institutes within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) typically show a consistent investment in maintaining and enhancing their complex research IT infrastructure. This includes funding for systems design, network management, cybersecurity, data storage, and specialized application support. Spending often fluctuates based on modernization initiatives, new research demands, and evolving technological landscapes. Analyzing past contract awards for IT support, computer systems design, and related services within NIAID and across NIH would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured. This context helps in evaluating whether the current $4 million award is in line with historical investments or represents a significant shift in spending.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13880 DULLES CORNER LN STE 200, HERNDON, VA, 20171

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,825,040

Exercised Options: $4,020,967

Current Obligation: $4,020,967

Actual Outlays: $1,521,568

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200017W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline