DoD's $27.2M Enterprise Classroom Programs Technology contract awarded to Pragmatics, LLC for wired telecommunications

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,254,391 ($27.3M)

Contractor: Pragmatics, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-09-19

End Date: 2015-09-24

Contract Duration: 735 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: AWARD OF ENTERPRISE CLASSROOM PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY

Place of Performance

Location: FORT EUSTIS, NEWPORT NEWS CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23604

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.3 million to PRAGMATICS, LLC for work described as: AWARD OF ENTERPRISE CLASSROOM PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY Key points: 1. The contract value of $27.2 million over two years represents a significant investment in educational technology infrastructure. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract suggests a competitive bidding process for telecommunications services. 3. The fixed-price nature of the contract aims to control costs and provide predictability for the Department of Defense. 4. The contract duration of 735 days indicates a medium-term project for technology implementation or maintenance. 5. The specific NAICS code 517110 points to services related to wired telecommunications carriers, a critical infrastructure component. 6. The award to Pragmatics, LLC, a single contractor, highlights the need for specialized capabilities in this domain.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or detailed service descriptions. The total award of $27.2 million over approximately two years averages to about $13.6 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against similar enterprise-level technology deployments within the Department of Defense or other large federal agencies to assess value for money. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests an attempt to manage cost overruns, but the overall value proposition depends heavily on the scope and quality of the 'Enterprise Classroom Programs Technology' delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

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 bids. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this telecommunications services contract. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bids would typically lead to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with two bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging contractors to offer competitive pricing. This approach helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for the required telecommunications services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Department of Defense personnel, specifically students and instructors within educational programs, who will gain access to enhanced classroom technology. The services delivered are expected to include the provision, installation, and maintenance of wired telecommunications infrastructure essential for modern learning environments. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within DoD facilities, potentially across multiple bases or installations where these classrooms are located. Workforce implications could include the need for skilled technicians for installation and ongoing support, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the IT and telecommunications sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to fully assess the value delivered for the $27.2 million investment.
The limited number of bidders (two) might indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market, potentially impacting long-term competition.
The specific nature of 'Enterprise Classroom Programs Technology' is broad and requires further definition to understand the full scope of services and associated risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair and accessible bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost escalation risks for the government.
The contract addresses a critical need for modern educational technology within the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology and Telecommunications sector, specifically focusing on wired network infrastructure for educational purposes. The market for such services is substantial, driven by ongoing needs for network upgrades, maintenance, and expansion across government and commercial entities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale IT infrastructure contracts awarded by federal agencies for network deployment and management, considering factors like bandwidth, security, and service level agreements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Consequently, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Pragmatics, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors based on their own procurement strategies, but this is not mandated by the contract's structure. The absence of a small business set-aside means the primary competition was open to all eligible firms, potentially favoring larger entities with the capacity to handle enterprise-level projects.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program management office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services and technology. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS.gov. Depending on the specific nature of the technology and services, an Inspector General review could be initiated if performance issues or potential fraud, waste, or abuse are identified.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Technology Programs
Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act (FITARA) Compliance
General Services Administration (GSA) IT Schedule Contracts
Wired Network Infrastructure Services
Educational Technology Grants and Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'Enterprise Classroom Programs Technology' is not clearly defined.
Risk of contractor underperformance if technical challenges are underestimated in a fixed-price environment.
Dependence on a single contractor (Pragmatics, LLC) for critical infrastructure could pose a risk if performance falters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.3 million to PRAGMATICS, LLC. AWARD OF ENTERPRISE CLASSROOM PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRAGMATICS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-19. End: 2015-09-24.

What is the specific technology being deployed under 'Enterprise Classroom Programs Technology' and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs)?

The provided data identifies the contract's purpose as 'AWARD OF ENTERPRISE CLASSROOM PROGRAMS TECHNOLOGY' and specifies the NAICS code as 517110 (Wired Telecommunications Carriers). However, it does not detail the specific technologies involved beyond wired telecommunications. This could encompass network infrastructure, cabling, routers, switches, and potentially integrated classroom hardware. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, for such contracts, KPIs would relate to network uptime, data transfer speeds, latency, security compliance, and user satisfaction. Without these specifics, a thorough assessment of performance and value is limited. Further documentation, such as the contract statement of work (SOW), would be necessary to understand the precise technological scope and measurable success criteria.

How does the $27.2 million award compare to similar DoD investments in educational technology infrastructure over the past five years?

Comparing this $27.2 million award requires accessing historical spending data for similar IT infrastructure contracts within the Department of Defense, specifically those focused on educational or training facilities. While the provided data offers a single data point, a comprehensive analysis would involve aggregating awards for network upgrades, classroom technology deployments, and telecommunications services to educational programs across different branches of the DoD over a defined period. Without access to this broader dataset, it's difficult to definitively state whether this contract represents a typical, high, or low investment. However, $27.2 million over two years suggests a significant, potentially enterprise-wide initiative rather than a localized upgrade, implying a substantial commitment to enhancing the technological capabilities of DoD classrooms.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for complex technology deployment in educational settings?

Firm-fixed-price (FFP) contracts are designed to provide cost certainty for the buyer. However, for complex technology deployments like 'Enterprise Classroom Programs Technology,' FFP contracts can introduce risks. If the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise, the contractor may face pressure to cut corners to maintain profitability, potentially impacting quality or performance. Conversely, if the contractor significantly underestimates costs or complexity, they might seek change orders, leading to cost increases despite the FFP structure. For the government, the primary risk is receiving a product or service that does not fully meet evolving educational needs or technological standards due to the contractor's focus on meeting the fixed price rather than optimizing for future adaptability or advanced features. Thorough initial requirements definition and robust oversight are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is Pragmatics, LLC's track record with similar large-scale IT infrastructure contracts for the federal government?

Assessing Pragmatics, LLC's track record requires examining their contract history, particularly for large-scale IT infrastructure and telecommunications projects within the federal government. Publicly available data, such as the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), can reveal the types of contracts awarded, their values, agencies involved, and performance ratings, if available. A review would look for patterns in successful project completion, adherence to budget and schedule, and any history of contract disputes or performance issues. Without specific details on Pragmatics, LLC's past performance on comparable projects, it's challenging to definitively assess their capability to execute this $27.2 million 'Enterprise Classroom Programs Technology' contract effectively. However, winning a competitive bid suggests they met the initial qualifications set by the Department of the Army.

Given the NAICS code 517110, how does this contract align with broader federal telecommunications infrastructure modernization efforts?

The NAICS code 517110 signifies that this contract is for Wired Telecommunications Carriers. This aligns with ongoing federal efforts to modernize telecommunications infrastructure, which often includes upgrading network capabilities, enhancing broadband access, and ensuring secure and reliable connectivity. The Department of Defense, like other federal agencies, relies heavily on robust wired networks for operations, training, and communication. This contract, focused on 'Enterprise Classroom Programs Technology,' likely contributes to this modernization by ensuring that educational facilities within the DoD have access to high-speed, reliable internet and network services necessary for modern digital learning tools and platforms. Such investments are crucial for maintaining a technologically advanced military and supporting effective training outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) › Wired Telecommunications Carriers

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7926 JONES BRANCH DR STE 711, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,254,391

Exercised Options: $27,254,391

Current Obligation: $27,254,391

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W91QUZ07D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline