Alliant II contract for ERDS operation and maintenance awarded to Data Systems Analysts Inc. for $901,100

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $901,100 ($901.1K)

Contractor: Data Systems Analysts Inc

Awarding Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Start Date: 2026-03-01

End Date: 2027-02-28

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: ERDS EMERGENCY RESPONSE DATA SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT ALLIANT II

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Nuclear Regulatory Commission obligated $901,100 to DATA SYSTEMS ANALYSTS INC for work described as: ERDS EMERGENCY RESPONSE DATA SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT ALLIANT II Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison to similar IT service contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include contract type (Time and Materials) which can pose cost control challenges. 4. Performance context is operation and maintenance of an emergency response data system. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically computer systems design. 6. The contract duration is one year, with a potential for follow-on work.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $901,100 for a one-year period for IT operations and maintenance appears within a reasonable range for specialized data system support. However, without specific benchmarks for the ERDS system's complexity and the exact services provided, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain controlled and do not exceed expectations for the scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under the Alliant II Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), which is designed for full and open competition. The specific award was a delivery order against this IDIQ vehicle. While the Alliant II vehicle itself is competed, the number of bidders for this specific delivery order is not detailed in the provided data. A full and open competition generally promotes a wider range of potential offerors and can lead to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process, even at the delivery order level, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lower prices compared to sole-source or limited competitions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are agencies requiring the Emergency Response Data System (ERDS) for critical operational functions. Services delivered include operation and maintenance of the ERDS, ensuring its availability and functionality. The geographic impact is likely concentrated where the ERDS is utilized, with the contract being managed in Maryland. Workforce implications may involve specialized IT personnel for system operation and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical system operation and maintenance could pose continuity risks.
The specific scope of 'operation and maintenance' needs clear definition to prevent scope creep.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a reputable GWAC (Alliant II) known for its competitive nature.
The contractor, Data Systems Analysts Inc., is likely experienced in government IT services.
A defined contract period (one year) allows for periodic reassessment of performance and value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. The IT services market for government operations and maintenance is substantial, with agencies increasingly relying on specialized contractors to manage complex data systems. Benchmarks for similar IT support contracts vary widely based on system complexity, security requirements, and service level agreements. The Alliant II GWAC itself represents a significant portion of federal IT spending, facilitating competition across a broad range of IT services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a delivery order under the Alliant II GWAC, which is a large contract vehicle, the primary awardee is likely a larger entity. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not detailed here. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem depends on the subcontracting plans of the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as the contracting agency. The Alliant II GWAC has its own oversight mechanisms managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and delivery terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Alliant II Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC)
IT Operations and Maintenance Services
Emergency Response Systems
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Need for robust oversight to manage contractor performance and prevent scope creep.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical system maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded $901,100 to DATA SYSTEMS ANALYSTS INC. ERDS EMERGENCY RESPONSE DATA SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT ALLIANT II

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DATA SYSTEMS ANALYSTS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Nuclear Regulatory Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $901,100.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-01. End: 2027-02-28.

What is the track record of Data Systems Analysts Inc. with the federal government, particularly in operating and maintaining emergency response data systems?

Data Systems Analysts Inc. (DSA) has a history of performing IT services for the federal government. While specific details on their experience with 'ERDS' are not provided in this data snippet, DSA's core business involves providing IT solutions and support to government agencies. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any specific certifications or experience related to emergency response data management would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their suitability for this particular contract. Reviewing their performance on similar, albeit not identical, systems would offer valuable insights into their capabilities and reliability.

How does the $901,100 contract value compare to similar IT operations and maintenance contracts for emergency response systems?

Benchmarking the $901,100 contract value requires comparing it against similar contracts for the operation and maintenance of emergency response data systems. Factors influencing cost include the system's complexity, user base, uptime requirements (e.g., 24/7 support), data volume, and the specific maintenance tasks (e.g., software updates, hardware support, cybersecurity). Without access to a database of comparable contracts with detailed service scopes and pricing, it's difficult to definitively state if this value is high or low. However, for a one-year contract supporting a critical data system, this figure suggests a moderately sized engagement. Further analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (like 541512) and similar service descriptions.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for IT system operation and maintenance?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for IT system operation and maintenance is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, or if inefficiencies arise, the contractor may bill for more hours or use more expensive materials than anticipated, leading to a higher final cost for the government. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, and robust management of the contractor's performance are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

What is the significance of the ERDS system to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's mission?

The Emergency Response Data System (ERDS) is likely critical to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC) mission of ensuring the safe operation of nuclear facilities and protecting public health and safety. Such systems typically collect, process, and disseminate vital information during emergencies, enabling effective decision-making, coordination of response efforts, and communication with stakeholders. The reliable operation and maintenance of ERDS are therefore paramount for the NRC to fulfill its regulatory and emergency preparedness responsibilities. Disruptions or failures in this system could have significant consequences for public safety and the agency's ability to manage nuclear incidents.

How does the Alliant II GWAC structure influence competition and pricing for delivery orders like this one?

The Alliant II Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) is designed as an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle that underwent a full and open competition during its initial award. This means that multiple large prime contractors were selected based on their capabilities. For subsequent delivery orders placed against Alliant II, agencies can choose to compete the order among a subset of Alliant II awardees or, in some cases, place orders directly with a single awardee if justified. The structure is intended to streamline the procurement process for IT services while leveraging the pre-competed nature of the GWAC to foster competition and achieve competitive pricing for individual task orders.

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 - DELIVERY

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 31310026Q0002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8 INTERPLEX DR, FEASTERVILLE TREVOSE, PA, 19053

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,213,163

Exercised Options: $1,029,498

Current Obligation: $901,100

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0006

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline