GSA's $26.5M APPOPS Support Contract Awarded to Unisys Corporation Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,456,245 ($26.5M)

Contractor: Unisys Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2018-09-28

End Date: 2023-06-10

Contract Duration: 1,716 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE APPLICATION OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (APPOPS) SUPPORT CONTRACT. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION OF BPA CALL NO. 47PA0118F0040 WAS TRANSFERRED FROM GSA, PBS, ACQUISITION SERVICES DIVISION TO GSA, OAS, OFFICE OF INTERNAL ACQUISITION AND DENOTES A NEW BPA CALL AWARD NUMBER, 47HAA018F0381 TO BE ASSIGNED TO THIS ACTION.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $26.5 million to UNISYS CORPORATION for work described as: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE APPLICATION OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (APPOPS) SUPPORT CONTRACT. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION OF BPA CALL NO. 47PA0118F0040 WAS TRANSFERRED FROM GSA, PBS, ACQUISITION SERVICES DIVISION TO GSA, OAS, OFFICE OF INTERNAL ACQUISITI… Key points: 1. Contract value of $26.5 million over a period of approximately 5 years. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract is for Application Operations and Maintenance (APPOPS) support. 4. The contract administration was transferred from one GSA office to another. 5. The primary service category is Computer and Software Stores. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $26.5 million over nearly five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific performance metrics or detailed breakdowns of services, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar APPOPS contracts would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The firm fixed-price nature offers predictability but may limit flexibility if requirements change significantly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bids (no: 2) suggests a degree of competition, though the exact number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive nature of the award, which generally drives down costs and ensures the government receives fair market value for the services.

Public Impact

Provides essential application operations and maintenance support for GSA's internal systems. Ensures the continued functionality and reliability of critical government IT infrastructure. Benefits GSA's Office of Administrative Services and potentially other internal departments relying on these applications. Supports the operational efficiency of a key federal agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bidders (2) may indicate potential for reduced competition.
Contract administration transfer could introduce minor transition risks.
Lack of detailed service scope makes it difficult to assess performance risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition, promoting a fair process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
Long-term contract (nearly 5 years) allows for stable support.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly application operations and maintenance, is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls within the broader category of IT support services, which are crucial for government agencies to maintain their digital infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar APPOPS contracts would provide context for the $26.5 million award, but generally, such services are essential for operational continuity.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it detail subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not discernible from this information alone. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors or if there were opportunities missed for set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the GSA's Office of Internal Acquisition, which managed the BPA Call. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure, requiring Unisys Corporation to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though detailed performance reporting may not be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

GSA IT Modernization Initiatives
Federal Civilian Agency IT Operations Support
Application Development and Maintenance Contracts
Cloud Computing Services Contracts

Risk Flags

NAICS code mismatch with contract description.
Limited number of bidders (2) may warrant further competition analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $26.5 million to UNISYS CORPORATION. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE APPLICATION OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (APPOPS) SUPPORT CONTRACT. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION OF BPA CALL NO. 47PA0118F0040 WAS TRANSFERRED FROM GSA, PBS, ACQUISITION SERVICES DIVISION TO GSA, OAS, OFFICE OF INTERNAL ACQUISITION AND DENOTES A NEW BPA CALL AWARD NUMBER, 47HAA018F0381 TO BE ASSIGNED TO THIS ACTION.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNISYS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Office of Administrative Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-28. End: 2023-06-10.

What is the specific scope of 'Application Operations and Maintenance' covered by this contract?

The provided data abbreviates the contract title as 'ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE APPLICATION OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (APPOPS) SUPPORT CONTRACT.' While the exact scope is not detailed, APPOPS typically encompasses a range of activities including ensuring the availability, performance, and security of software applications. This can include monitoring, troubleshooting, patching, updates, bug fixes, and potentially minor enhancements or user support. The contract's duration of over 1700 days (approximately 4.7 years) suggests a comprehensive and ongoing need for these services, likely covering a portfolio of GSA's internal applications critical to its operations.

How does the $26.5 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar GSA APPOPS contracts?

To assess the value comparison, one would need to examine GSA's historical spending data for similar Application Operations and Maintenance (APPOPS) support contracts. This would involve identifying contracts with comparable scope, duration, and service requirements, ideally awarded within the last few years to account for market fluctuations. Without access to GSA's detailed procurement history or a database of comparable contracts, it is difficult to benchmark this $26.5 million award. However, the annual average spend for this contract is approximately $5.6 million ($26.5M / 4.7 years), which can be used as a starting point for comparison with other IT support contracts of similar scale.

What are the primary risks associated with a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for APPOPS support?

The primary risks associated with a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract for Application Operations and Maintenance (APPOPS) support primarily lie in potential scope creep and the contractor's ability to manage unforeseen technical challenges. For the government, if the scope of work expands beyond what was initially defined, it may need to issue change orders, potentially increasing costs. For the contractor, if they underestimate the complexity or effort required for maintenance and operations, they risk reduced profit margins or even losses. Effective contract management and clear initial scope definition are crucial to mitigate these risks. The FFP structure, however, does provide cost certainty for the government, which is a significant advantage.

What is the significance of the contract administration transfer from GSA PBS to GSA OAS?

The transfer of contract administration from GSA's Public Buildings Service (PBS) to the Office of Administrative Services (OAS) within GSA's Office of Internal Acquisition signifies an internal realignment of responsibilities. This move likely aims to consolidate or centralize contract management functions within a specific office better equipped or designated for managing internal IT support services. For the contractor, Unisys Corporation, the primary impact is a change in the point of contact for contract-related matters, such as invoicing, performance reviews, and modifications. While the contract terms remain the same, adapting to a new administrative team might involve a brief transition period to ensure seamless communication and understanding of ongoing tasks and expectations.

Given the 'Computer and Software Stores' NAICS code, how does this relate to APPOPS support?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 443120, 'Computer and Software Stores,' typically relates to retail sales of computer hardware and software. Its association with an Application Operations and Maintenance (APPOPS) support contract, which is a service-based engagement, appears unusual at first glance. APPOPS contracts usually fall under NAICS codes related to computer systems design services (like 541512) or data processing, hosting, and related services (like 518210). It's possible this NAICS code was selected based on a specific component of the contract or an older classification. However, for a contract focused on ongoing operational support and maintenance of applications, a service-oriented NAICS code would generally be more appropriate and reflective of the actual work performed.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Electronics and Appliance Stores › Computer and Software Stores

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

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: 11720 PLAZA AMERICA DR 7TH FL, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,477,722

Exercised Options: $26,456,245

Current Obligation: $26,456,245

Actual Outlays: $11,677,656

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $11,693,905

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47PA0118A0001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline