SEC awards $8.29M IT support contract to Oddball, Inc. for enterprise data warehouse maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,289,235 ($8.3M)

Contractor: Oddball, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Securities and Exchange Commission

Start Date: 2025-01-27

End Date: 2027-01-24

Contract Duration: 727 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SUPPORT SERVICES TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Securities and Exchange Commission obligated $8.3 million to ODDBALL, INC. for work described as: IT SUPPORT SERVICES TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on maintaining and enhancing a critical enterprise data warehouse, indicating a need for specialized IT expertise. 2. The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, suggesting a pre-negotiated framework for services. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability for the agency. 4. The duration of the contract is approximately two years, aligning with typical IT support cycles. 5. The contract value is relatively modest for enterprise-level IT support, potentially indicating a focused scope or efficient pricing.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.29 million over approximately two years for IT support services appears reasonable for maintaining and enhancing an enterprise data warehouse. Benchmarking against similar contracts for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) suggests that this price point is within a competitive range, especially considering the specialized nature of data warehouse management. The firm-fixed-price structure further supports value by capping the government's financial exposure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives services at a fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that drives down costs and ensures the SEC secures the best possible value for its investment in critical IT infrastructure.

Public Impact

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) benefits from enhanced and maintained data warehousing capabilities, crucial for its regulatory and operational functions. This contract ensures the continued availability and performance of the enterprise data warehouse, supporting data analysis and reporting. The services delivered will likely impact SEC analysts, investigators, and other personnel who rely on the data warehouse for their work. Geographic impact is primarily within the SEC's operational centers, with potential for remote support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is not adequately transferred.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical data warehouse infrastructure could pose a risk if the vendor faces financial or operational difficulties.

Positive Signals

The use of a BPA Call suggests that the underlying contract has already undergone a competitive process and established favorable terms.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition indicates a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

The IT support services sector, particularly custom computer programming and data management, is a significant area of federal spending. Companies like Oddball, Inc. specialize in providing these critical services to government agencies. This contract fits within the broader market for enterprise IT modernization and maintenance, where agencies increasingly rely on specialized vendors to manage complex data infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar data warehouse support contracts vary widely based on scope and complexity, but this award appears to be within a reasonable range for its stated purpose.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is Oddball, Inc., the implications for small businesses would depend on their potential role as subcontractors. Without specific subcontracting plans detailed in the award, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Securities and Exchange Commission's contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by defining the scope and cost upfront. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, and the SEC's Inspector General may conduct audits or investigations if concerns arise regarding performance or financial management.

Related Government Programs

SEC Enterprise Data Warehouse Modernization
Custom Computer Programming Services
IT Infrastructure Support
Data Management Solutions

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Dependence on critical IT infrastructure support

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Securities and Exchange Commission awarded $8.3 million to ODDBALL, INC.. IT SUPPORT SERVICES TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE ENTERPRISE DATA WAREHOUSE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ODDBALL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Securities and Exchange Commission (Securities and Exchange Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-27. End: 2027-01-24.

What is Oddball, Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly in providing IT support for data warehouses?

Oddball, Inc. has a history of providing IT services to federal agencies. While specific details on their data warehouse support experience would require deeper investigation into contract databases and performance reviews, their award by the SEC for this specific function suggests they possess the requisite capabilities. Federal procurement data often reveals past performance ratings and previous contract awards, which would offer further insight into their reliability and expertise in managing similar enterprise systems. It is important to review any past performance evaluations or CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) reports available for Oddball, Inc. to gauge their historical success in meeting government requirements.

How does the $8.29 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts for enterprise data warehouses?

The $8.29 million contract value for approximately two years of IT support for an enterprise data warehouse appears to be within a reasonable range for the federal market. However, direct comparisons are challenging without knowing the specific scope, complexity, and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract. Contracts for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) can vary significantly. Factors such as the size of the data warehouse, the volume of data, the required uptime, security protocols, and the level of customization needed for enhancements all influence pricing. Generally, contracts of this magnitude suggest a focused scope or a highly efficient service delivery model by the contractor.

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

Key risks include potential vendor lock-in, where the SEC becomes overly dependent on Oddball, Inc.'s proprietary knowledge, making future transitions difficult. Another risk is the potential for scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns, although the firm-fixed-price structure aims to mitigate this. Performance risk, where the contractor may not deliver services to the required standards, is also present. Mitigation strategies include clear contract language, defined performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and the possibility of exercising options or seeking alternative solutions if performance is unsatisfactory. The SEC's oversight and the competitive nature of the initial award also serve as risk mitigators.

How effective is the SEC's enterprise data warehouse expected to be with this ongoing support?

The effectiveness of the SEC's enterprise data warehouse is expected to be maintained and potentially enhanced through this contract. Ongoing support ensures system stability, security, and performance, which are critical for data integrity and accessibility. Enhancements could lead to improved analytical capabilities, faster data processing, and better integration with other agency systems. The success will largely depend on the quality of services provided by Oddball, Inc., the clarity of the SEC's requirements, and the effectiveness of the oversight mechanisms in place to ensure that the contractor meets performance expectations and delivers value.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support services at the SEC, and how does this contract fit?

Historical spending patterns for IT support services at the SEC would reveal the agency's consistent investment in maintaining and upgrading its technological infrastructure. This $8.29 million contract for data warehouse support fits within the broader category of IT services procurement. Analyzing past expenditures on similar services, such as custom programming, database management, and system maintenance, would provide context for the current award. It allows for an assessment of whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for this specific function, and whether it aligns with the agency's overall IT budget and strategic priorities.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 50310224Q0140

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1775 TYSONS BLVD, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,596,485

Exercised Options: $8,289,235

Current Obligation: $8,289,235

Actual Outlays: $3,592,347

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 50310223A0005

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline