EEOC awards $7.16M for enterprise applications to ASSYST, Inc. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,156,600 ($7.2M)

Contractor: Assyst Inc.

Awarding Agency: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Start Date: 2023-09-24

End Date: 2026-09-23

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS - ASSYST, INC. - WORK ORDER 1-EEOC - BASE YEAR (DATE OF AWARD TO 12 MONTHS) - REMAINDER: PENDING AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20166

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission obligated $7.2 million to ASSYST INC. for work described as: ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS - ASSYST, INC. - WORK ORDER 1-EEOC - BASE YEAR (DATE OF AWARD TO 12 MONTHS) - REMAINDER: PENDING AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. Key points: 1. The contract value of $7.16 million for a 3-year period suggests a moderate investment in enterprise application support. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process, which could lead to favorable pricing. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, implying a pre-established relationship or framework. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, ASSYST, Inc. 5. The primary service category is 'Other Computer Related Services,' suggesting a broad scope of IT support. 6. The contract's duration of 1095 days (3 years) provides a stable period for service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The base year value of $7.16 million for enterprise application support appears reasonable for a 3-year contract. Benchmarking against similar contracts for enterprise application maintenance and support for federal agencies of similar size and scope would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide suitable solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is the most taxpayer-friendly approach, as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through robust bidding and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will benefit from enhanced enterprise application support, potentially improving its internal operations and service delivery. The contract will ensure the continued functionality and maintenance of critical enterprise applications used by the EEOC. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the agency's operations are likely concentrated, and potentially nationwide for users of EEOC's services. Workforce implications may include the need for skilled IT professionals to support and maintain these enterprise applications, both within ASSYST, Inc. and potentially within the EEOC for oversight.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'enterprise applications' is broadly defined without clear boundaries.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical application support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The 'remainder: pending availability of funds' clause indicates potential budget uncertainties for future years.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type aligns incentives for contractor efficiency and cost control.
Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive market for these services.
The contract is a delivery order, implying it leverages an existing, potentially pre-vetted, contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly within the federal government, is characterized by a high demand for enterprise application development, maintenance, and support. This contract falls under the 'Other Computer Related Services' category, which is broad but encompasses a significant portion of IT spending. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar enterprise application support contracts can vary widely based on the complexity of the applications, the size of the agency, and the specific services required. The federal government's IT spending is in the hundreds of billions annually, with a substantial portion allocated to maintaining and modernizing existing systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, ASSYST, Inc., is likely a large business given the contract value. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation would typically be driven by the prime contractor's subcontracting plan, if one exists and includes small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Modernization Programs
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems Support
Custom Software Development Services
IT Operations and Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for funding uncertainty due to 'pending availability of funds' clause.
Broad NAICS code 'Other Computer Related Services' may lack specificity if SOW is not detailed.
Contractor performance risk inherent in any service contract, despite fixed-price structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission awarded $7.2 million to ASSYST INC.. ENTERPRISE APPLICATIONS - ASSYST, INC. - WORK ORDER 1-EEOC - BASE YEAR (DATE OF AWARD TO 12 MONTHS) - REMAINDER: PENDING AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASSYST INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-24. End: 2026-09-23.

What is the track record of ASSYST, Inc. in performing similar federal IT contracts?

ASSYST, Inc. has a history of performing federal IT contracts, primarily focused on enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, custom software development, and IT support services. Their past performance often includes work with agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and various civilian agencies. Analyzing their contract history, including past performance reviews and any reported issues or successes, would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute this EEOC contract. Specific details on their performance on similar-sized or scope contracts would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the awarded amount of $7.16 million compare to similar enterprise application support contracts for federal agencies?

The awarded amount of $7.16 million over three years for enterprise application support at the EEOC represents an average annual value of approximately $2.39 million. This figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts for agencies of similar size and complexity. For instance, larger agencies with more extensive and complex enterprise systems might award significantly higher amounts, while smaller agencies might award less. The specific nature of the 'enterprise applications' supported by the EEOC (e.g., HR, financial, case management) will heavily influence comparability. Without knowing the exact scope and number of applications, a precise comparison is difficult, but the amount appears within a reasonable range for a mid-sized federal agency's IT support needs.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by ASSYST, Inc., scope creep, and the possibility of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price contract is not managed effectively. Mitigation strategies include the firm fixed-price structure itself, which places cost risk on the contractor. The EEOC's oversight mechanisms, including contract monitoring by program managers and contracting officers, are crucial for ensuring performance. Clear definition of 'enterprise applications' and service level agreements (SLAs) within the contract documents are essential to prevent scope creep. The 'pending availability of funds' clause also introduces a risk of funding interruption, which is mitigated by the agency's budget planning processes.

How effective is the 'Other Computer Related Services' classification in defining the scope of work for this contract?

The 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS code 541519) classification is very broad and serves as a catch-all for IT services not specifically covered by other, more defined categories. While it allows for flexibility in addressing a wide range of IT needs, it can also lead to ambiguity regarding the precise scope of work. For this contract, the effectiveness of this classification depends heavily on the detailed statement of work (SOW) and performance work statement (PWS) included in the contract. These documents should clearly delineate the specific enterprise applications to be supported, the types of services required (e.g., maintenance, upgrades, help desk, development), and the expected outcomes to ensure clarity and prevent disputes.

What are the historical spending patterns for enterprise application support at the EEOC?

Historical spending data for enterprise application support at the EEOC would provide valuable context for evaluating the current $7.16 million award. Analyzing past contracts for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved would reveal trends in the agency's IT investment. For example, has spending increased or decreased over time? Has the agency shifted from custom development to maintenance, or vice versa? Understanding these patterns can help assess whether the current contract represents a continuation of established support levels, a significant increase or decrease, or a strategic shift in the agency's approach to managing its enterprise applications.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - DATA CENTER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 45310023Q0034

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 22866 SHAW RD, STERLING, VA, 20166

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,156,600

Exercised Options: $7,156,600

Current Obligation: $7,156,600

Actual Outlays: $6,192,892

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D00HL

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline