State Department awards $2M for overseas school IT support to Copper River Enterprise Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,004,762 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Copper River Enterprise Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2021-02-01
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: IT
Official Description: PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO OVERSEAS SCHOOL
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $2.0 million to COPPER RIVER ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO OVERSEAS SCHOOL Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Computer Systems Design Services. 2. Copper River Enterprise Services, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract spans five years, ending January 2026. 4. This award represents a small portion of the Department of State's overall IT spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2,004,761.69 over five years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $400,000. Without specific benchmarks for similar overseas school IT support contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but it appears within a reasonable range for specialized IT services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces competition, which could lead to higher costs than if multiple vendors had submitted bids.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these IT services compared to a fully competed contract.
Public Impact
Ensures continued IT operations and support for students and staff at overseas Department of State schools. Supports the educational mission by providing essential technology infrastructure. Potential for limited transparency due to sole-source nature.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding
Positive Signals
- Provides essential IT services for educational continuity
- Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector is vast, with significant government spending. This contract falls under computer systems design, a common area for federal IT procurement. Benchmarks for similar contracts are highly variable based on scope and location.
Small Business Impact
This contract was awarded to Copper River Enterprise Services, LLC, which is a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Given it's a sole-source award, robust oversight is crucial to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery to justify the expenditure.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency in pricing
- Dependence on a single vendor
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-state, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $2.0 million to COPPER RIVER ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LLC. PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO OVERSEAS SCHOOL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COPPER RIVER ENTERPRISE SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-02-01. End: 2026-01-31.
What is the justification for the sole-source award, and how was the price determined to be fair and reasonable?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves specific circumstances, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. The contracting officer must still conduct a price analysis to ensure the awarded price is fair and reasonable, often by comparing it to historical prices, other similar contracts, or independent cost estimates. Without access to the contract file, the specific justification and price analysis details remain unknown.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is service quality being monitored?
Effective oversight requires clearly defined KPIs related to system uptime, response times for technical support, and successful implementation of IT projects. The Department of State should have a robust performance monitoring system in place, including regular reviews and feedback mechanisms, to ensure Copper River Enterprise Services, LLC is meeting its contractual obligations and delivering high-quality IT support.
Could this IT support requirement be broken down into smaller components to encourage competition in the future?
Future contract strategies could explore breaking down the IT support requirements into more specialized or geographically segmented components. This could potentially open the door for a wider range of vendors, including small businesses, to compete, fostering greater innovation and potentially achieving better value for the government.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1577 C ST STE 201, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99501
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,258,356
Exercised Options: $2,258,356
Current Obligation: $2,004,762
Actual Outlays: $783,063
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM18D0106
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-02-01
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-18
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