Treasury's $6.29M network storage refresh contract awarded to FCN, Inc. for a 5-year term

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,289,164 ($6.3M)

Contractor: FCN, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2021-01-14

End Date: 2026-01-28

Contract Duration: 1,840 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NETWORK STORAGE EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE REFRESH

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20219

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $6.3 million to FCN, INC. for work described as: NETWORK STORAGE EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE REFRESH Key points: 1. The contract value of $6.29 million over five years suggests a moderate annual investment in IT infrastructure. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this indicates a competitive bidding process was utilized. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The duration of 1840 days (approx. 5 years) allows for stable planning and execution of the storage refresh. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to a focus on computer-related services. 6. The contract's primary location in Washington D.C. aligns with federal agency operations in the capital.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $6.29 million over approximately five years represents a significant investment in network storage. Benchmarking this against similar IT refresh contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope of equipment and software. However, the firm-fixed-price nature of the award suggests that the pricing was determined upfront, which can be advantageous for budget predictability. The value appears reasonable for a comprehensive refresh of critical network storage infrastructure for an agency like the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that it was competed openly suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically drives better pricing and value for the government. The number of bidders is not specified, but the chosen procurement method implies that multiple proposals were likely considered.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing, potentially saving taxpayer dollars compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. It ensures that the government explores the widest possible market for the best value.

Public Impact

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) benefits from updated and reliable network storage, crucial for its financial regulatory functions. This contract ensures the continuity and security of data storage for sensitive financial information. The services delivered support the OCC's mission to supervise national banks and federal savings associations. The primary geographic impact is within Washington D.C., where the OCC's main operations are located. The contract supports the IT workforce involved in managing and maintaining the new storage infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the chosen storage solution is proprietary and difficult to integrate with other systems.
Risk of cost overruns if the scope of 'refresh' is broader than initially anticipated and requires additional services or hardware.
Dependence on FCN, Inc. for timely delivery and successful implementation of the storage solution.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's exposure to price fluctuations.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a thorough evaluation process and likely competitive pricing.
The multi-year duration allows for a phased implementation and reduces the frequency of procurement actions.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly data storage solutions, is a critical component of federal agency operations. The market for network storage equipment and software is highly competitive, with numerous vendors offering a range of solutions from traditional hardware to cloud-based services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for secure, scalable, and high-performance data management. This contract for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency fits within the broader trend of agencies modernizing their IT infrastructure to meet evolving data demands and cybersecurity requirements.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, FCN, Inc., is not obligated to subcontract with small businesses under this specific award. While FCN, Inc. may have its own small business subcontracting goals on other contracts, this particular award does not directly contribute to the federal small business contracting goals through set-asides or mandated subcontracting. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore indirect, relying on FCN's general business practices.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would typically cover investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract, though specific IG involvement depends on reported issues.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule Contracts
Department of Defense (DoD) Enterprise Storage Solutions
National Institutes of Health (NIH) IT Infrastructure Modernization
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Data Center Consolidation

Risk Flags

Potential for technology obsolescence if refresh cycle is too long.
Dependence on contractor for timely delivery and implementation.
Scope creep risk if 'refresh' is not clearly defined.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $6.3 million to FCN, INC.. NETWORK STORAGE EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE REFRESH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FCN, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-01-14. End: 2026-01-28.

What specific type of network storage equipment and software is being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact make, model, or type of network storage equipment and software. The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' and the contract description 'NETWORK STORAGE EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE REFRESH' indicate a broad scope. To understand the specifics, one would need to review the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). This document would detail requirements such as storage capacity (e.g., petabytes), performance metrics (e.g., IOPS, latency), data protection features (e.g., backup, disaster recovery), and the specific software for managing the storage environment (e.g., SAN management, data deduplication software). Without the SOW, it's difficult to assess the technological sophistication or suitability of the procured items.

How does the $6.29 million contract value compare to previous network storage spending by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency?

To compare this $6.29 million contract value to previous spending, historical contract data for network storage equipment and software procured by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) would be required. This analysis would involve searching federal procurement databases for contracts awarded to the OCC within a relevant timeframe (e.g., the last 5-10 years) under similar NAICS codes or product/service descriptions. If previous refresh cycles were significantly more or less expensive, it could indicate changes in technology costs, scope, or procurement strategies. For instance, if past refreshes were in the $2-3 million range, this $6.29 million award might suggest a more comprehensive upgrade, increased capacity needs, or a rise in market prices. Conversely, if previous contracts were higher, this award might represent a more cost-effective solution or a scaled-back refresh.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this network storage refresh contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for a network storage refresh, KPIs would be detailed in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). Common KPIs might include metrics related to storage availability (e.g., 99.999% uptime), data access speed (e.g., latency below a certain threshold), data transfer rates (e.g., read/write speeds), system reliability (e.g., mean time between failures - MTBF), and successful completion of data migration from old systems to new. Performance would likely be monitored through regular reporting by the contractor and potentially through government-provided metrics or audits. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contract remedies or penalties.

What is FCN, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in IT infrastructure and storage solutions?

FCN, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily within the IT services and solutions domain. A review of public federal procurement data (like FPDS) would reveal the extent and nature of their past awards. Key aspects to examine would include the total value of contracts awarded, the agencies they have served, and the specific types of IT solutions provided. For network storage specifically, one would look for prior contracts involving similar equipment, software, and services. Assessing their performance history on these contracts—whether they have received positive past performance reviews, faced contract disputes, or consistently met delivery schedules—is crucial for understanding their reliability and capability in executing this current Treasury contract. Their presence as a prime contractor suggests they have demonstrated the capacity to manage and deliver on government requirements.

Are there any known risks associated with the specific network storage technology or vendor chosen by FCN, Inc. for this refresh?

The provided data does not specify the particular network storage technology or vendor that FCN, Inc. will be implementing. Therefore, assessing specific risks is not possible with the current information. However, general risks associated with new storage technologies could include compatibility issues with existing infrastructure, potential security vulnerabilities in the chosen hardware or software, the learning curve for government IT staff to manage the new system, and the long-term supportability and availability of parts or updates from the underlying technology manufacturer. If FCN, Inc. is proposing a specific brand or solution, researching that particular technology's known issues, market reputation, and vendor support lifecycle would be necessary to identify concrete risks.

How does the 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) contract type impact the execution and oversight of this network storage refresh?

The 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) designation, within the context of a larger contract vehicle (likely an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity - IDIQ - contract, though not explicitly stated here), means that this is one specific order placed against a pre-established contract. This implies that the foundational terms, conditions, and pricing were likely negotiated previously. For this specific network storage refresh, it means the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has formally requested and funded a defined scope of work. Oversight focuses on ensuring this particular delivery order meets its specified requirements, timeline, and budget. It simplifies the procurement process for recurring needs but requires careful management of each individual order to ensure it aligns with the overall program goals and represents good value.

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 - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 2031JW21Q00030

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2600 TOWER OAKS BLVD STE 575, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,289,164

Exercised Options: $6,289,164

Current Obligation: $6,289,164

Actual Outlays: $6,289,164

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC71B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline