Sterling Computers Corporation awarded $565,718 for IT services by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $565,719 ($565.7K)

Contractor: Sterling Computers Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-03-30

End Date: 2026-05-29

Contract Duration: 60 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: VA-IRTM-STOREFRONT REFILL #30

Place of Performance

Location: NORTH SIOUX CITY, UNION County, SOUTH DAKOTA, 57049

State: South Dakota Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $565,718.68 to STERLING COMPUTERS CORPORATION for work described as: VA-IRTM-STOREFRONT REFILL #30 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of IT services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. No immediate risk indicators are apparent from the provided data. 4. This contract supports essential IT infrastructure for wildlife services. 5. The IT services sector is highly dynamic, requiring continuous updates. 6. Spending aligns with typical IT support contracts for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $565,718 for a two-month period seems within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) would provide a more precise assessment, but the price per day is approximately $9,429. Without specific deliverables or service level agreements, a definitive value-for-money judgment is difficult, but the firm fixed-price structure suggests cost control.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $9,429 per day.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This typically leads to a more robust selection of vendors and potentially better pricing due to market forces. The presence of two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will benefit from enhanced IT services. The contract ensures the continued operation and maintenance of critical IT systems. Services are likely to be delivered within South Dakota, supporting regional operations. The contract supports the IT workforce, potentially through the contractor's personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps manage costs and provides budget certainty.
The contractor, Sterling Computers Corporation, has a track record of federal awards.
The contract duration is relatively short, allowing for periodic reassessment of needs.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a critical component of federal operations, encompassing a wide range of support, development, and maintenance activities. Federal spending in this area is substantial, with agencies relying heavily on technology for mission execution. This contract for 'Other Computer Related Services' fits within the broader IT services market, which includes areas like system integration, IT consulting, and data processing. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts can vary widely based on complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award. However, the overall federal IT market does offer opportunities for small businesses, often through prime contracts or subcontracting roles on larger awards.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The firm fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight. Accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's performance work statement and delivery terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal IT Procurement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Operations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $565,718.68 to STERLING COMPUTERS CORPORATION. VA-IRTM-STOREFRONT REFILL #30

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STERLING COMPUTERS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $565,718.68.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-30. End: 2026-05-29.

What is Sterling Computers Corporation's track record with federal contracts, particularly for IT services?

Sterling Computers Corporation has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily in the IT sector. Reviewing contract databases reveals multiple awards across various agencies for hardware, software, and related IT services. While specific performance details for past contracts are not provided here, the continued award of contracts suggests a satisfactory performance history. Further analysis would involve examining past performance reviews and any documented issues or commendations associated with their previous federal engagements to fully assess their reliability and expertise in delivering IT solutions.

How does the daily cost of this contract compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT services?

The daily cost for this contract is approximately $9,429 ($565,718 / 60 days). Benchmarking this against industry standards for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) requires detailed comparison of the specific services rendered. General IT support and maintenance can range significantly. For highly specialized or mission-critical IT functions, this daily rate might be considered competitive or even low, especially if it includes expert personnel. Conversely, for more routine IT tasks, it could be on the higher end. A precise comparison would necessitate understanding the scope of work, required skill sets, and service level agreements.

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

Potential risks for this contract include service delivery delays, performance shortfalls, or cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Given the short duration (60 days), the risk of significant project derailment is somewhat limited. Mitigation strategies likely involve the firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to complete work efficiently. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would also have oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring and acceptance criteria outlined in the contract. Cybersecurity risks would be addressed through standard federal IT security requirements and potentially specific clauses within the contract.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The 'full and open competition' process is designed to maximize value for money by encouraging multiple vendors to bid, thereby driving down prices and improving service quality. In this case, with two bidders, the competition level was moderate. While this process generally leads to better outcomes than sole-source or limited competition, the ultimate value for money depends on the specific bids received and the agency's evaluation criteria. The firm fixed-price award suggests that the agency aimed to secure a defined scope of work at a set cost, which is a common strategy to ensure cost predictability and value.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar IT services by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on similar IT services would provide context for this $565,718 award. Without access to detailed historical data, it's difficult to ascertain trends. However, federal agencies typically have ongoing needs for IT support, maintenance, and upgrades. Spending can fluctuate based on specific project requirements, technology refresh cycles, and budget allocations. This contract appears to be a short-term, specific need rather than a large, multi-year program, suggesting it might be part of a broader, recurring IT support strategy within FWS.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140F1G26Q0020

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 303 CENTENIAL DR, NORTH SIOUX CITY, SD, 57049

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $565,719

Exercised Options: $565,719

Current Obligation: $565,719

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC49B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline