Interior's USGS awards $242K task order for Drupal O&M to Nationwide IT Services Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $242,595 ($242.6K)

Contractor: Nationwide IT Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-01-29

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 183 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: 140G0321D0002/140G0326F0021 TASK ORDER 6.5 (129) - DRUPAL O&M

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $242,594.56 to NATIONWIDE IT SERVICES INC for work described as: 140G0321D0002/140G0326F0021 TASK ORDER 6.5 (129) - DRUPAL O&M Key points: 1. Task order focuses on essential operational maintenance for Drupal platforms. 2. Contract duration is 183 days, indicating a short-term need. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty. 4. Awarded under a broader contract vehicle, suggesting pre-competed services. 5. The service falls under Computer Systems Design Services, a common IT category. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this specific task order.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The task order value of $242,594.56 for 183 days of Drupal O&M appears reasonable for specialized IT support. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the specific scope of maintenance, the price per day is approximately $1,326. This falls within a typical range for IT support services, especially considering the need for expertise in a specific platform like Drupal. The firm fixed price structure helps manage costs for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $1,326 per day.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the initial contract vehicle may have had specific source exclusions, this particular task order was competed broadly. The specific number of bidders for this task order is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even after initial source exclusions, generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) by ensuring the continued operation of critical Drupal-based systems. Services delivered include operational maintenance, likely encompassing updates, bug fixes, and system monitoring. Geographic impact is nationwide, supporting USGS operations across various locations. Workforce implications involve IT professionals with expertise in Drupal and system administration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if O&M requirements are highly specialized and not easily transferable.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical system maintenance could pose continuity risks if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability and limits the government's financial exposure.
Awarded under a contract vehicle that likely underwent prior competition, suggesting a streamlined process.
Focus on operational maintenance ensures the stability of existing IT infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. The market for IT operations and maintenance is substantial, with government agencies increasingly relying on specialized vendors for platform support like Drupal. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT O&M services vary widely based on complexity, but this task order's value is modest for a nationwide agency like the Department of the Interior.

Small Business Impact

This task order does not appear to be a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements for this specific task order. The primary contractor, Nationwide IT Services Inc., is not identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the U.S. Geological Survey's contracting and program management offices. As a task order under a larger contract vehicle, the underlying contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics are not provided here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IT Operations and Maintenance Contracts
Drupal Content Management System Support
Computer Systems Design Services
Department of the Interior IT Spending
U.S. Geological Survey IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Dependence on specific vendor expertise
Scope creep risk (mitigated by FFP)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $242,594.56 to NATIONWIDE IT SERVICES INC. 140G0321D0002/140G0326F0021 TASK ORDER 6.5 (129) - DRUPAL O&M

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONWIDE IT SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $242,594.56.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-29. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of Nationwide IT Services Inc. with federal contracts, particularly for IT operations and maintenance?

Nationwide IT Services Inc. has a history of federal contract awards, primarily within the IT services domain. Analyzing their past performance data, including contract values, agencies served, and types of services rendered, is crucial. For IT operations and maintenance, it's important to assess if they have a demonstrated history of successfully managing similar Drupal O&M tasks, including their ability to meet performance standards, timelines, and budget constraints. A review of past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability in this specific area. Their award history suggests experience, but the depth of experience with Drupal O&M specifically warrants further investigation.

How does the daily rate of approximately $1,326 for Drupal O&M compare to market benchmarks for similar services?

The daily rate of approximately $1,326 for Drupal O&M services sits within a reasonable range for specialized IT support, but its competitiveness depends heavily on the specific scope of work. Market benchmarks for IT O&M can vary significantly based on factors like the complexity of the Drupal implementation, the required skill sets (e.g., senior developers, security specialists, system administrators), geographic location of the support personnel, and the level of service (e.g., 24/7 support vs. business hours). For standard O&M tasks like patching, minor updates, and basic troubleshooting, this rate might be on the higher end. However, if the scope includes more complex tasks such as performance optimization, security hardening, or integration support for a large-scale Drupal environment, the rate could be considered competitive or even favorable. A detailed breakdown of the services included in the task order is necessary for a precise benchmark.

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

Primary risks associated with this Drupal O&M task order include potential vendor performance issues, such as delays in addressing critical bugs or security vulnerabilities, and the risk of cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates (though less likely with a Firm Fixed Price contract). Another risk is the potential for knowledge transfer gaps if the vendor's personnel lack deep expertise or if there's high turnover. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management by the USGS, including clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and defined escalation procedures. The Firm Fixed Price nature itself mitigates cost overrun risks. Ensuring the vendor has qualified personnel and a clear understanding of the Drupal environment's criticality is also key. The relatively short duration (183 days) also limits the long-term exposure to these risks.

How effective is the current Drupal O&M support likely to be in ensuring the stability and security of the USGS's systems?

The effectiveness of the current Drupal O&M support hinges on several factors not fully detailed in the award data. Assuming Nationwide IT Services Inc. possesses the requisite expertise and the task order clearly defines critical maintenance activities (e.g., timely patching of security vulnerabilities, regular backups, performance monitoring, bug fixes), the support is likely to be effective in maintaining system stability and security. However, the effectiveness is directly tied to the quality of the vendor's execution and the clarity of the performance work statement. If the O&M scope is comprehensive and addresses known vulnerabilities and performance bottlenecks, it should contribute positively. Conversely, if the scope is too narrow or the vendor's response times are slow, effectiveness could be compromised. The USGS's oversight and performance monitoring will be critical determinants.

What are the historical spending patterns for Drupal O&M within the Department of the Interior or USGS?

Historical spending patterns for Drupal O&M within the Department of the Interior (DOI) or specifically the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) would provide valuable context for this $242K task order. Analyzing past expenditures on similar services, including the number of contracts awarded, average contract values, and durations, can reveal trends in IT maintenance needs and budgeting. For instance, if historical spending shows a consistent need for Drupal O&M, it suggests a strategic reliance on the platform. Conversely, a sudden increase or decrease in spending might indicate platform migration efforts or shifts in IT strategy. Understanding these patterns helps assess whether this task order aligns with established budgets and resource allocation, and whether the current award represents a typical or anomalous level of investment in Drupal maintenance.

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 - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4025 FAIR RIDGE DR STE 300, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $242,595

Exercised Options: $242,595

Current Obligation: $242,595

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140G0321D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline