Infoblox Renewal Contract Awarded to Colossal Contracting LLC for $984,805.52

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $98,481 ($98.5K)

Contractor: Colossal Contracting LLC

Awarding Agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Start Date: 2024-07-13

End Date: 2027-07-12

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $90/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: B045. INFOBLOX RENEWAL.

Place of Performance

Location: ANNAPOLIS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21401

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation obligated $98,480.52 to COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC for work described as: B045. INFOBLOX RENEWAL. Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison with similar IT service contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Risk indicators include contract duration and firm fixed-price structure. 4. Performance context is within IT services, specifically computer-related services. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader IT services market for government agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $985K over three years appears reasonable for IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for network security and management software renewals would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts performance risk to the contractor, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting that while competition was sought, specific sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria. The presence of two bidders indicates some level of competition, but the exact number of interested parties and the reasons for exclusion of others would clarify the extent of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards. The two-bidder scenario suggests that while some competition existed, there may be room for improvement in maximizing bidder participation to ensure the most cost-effective outcome.

Public Impact

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) benefits from this contract through the provision of essential IT services. Services delivered likely include network security, software licensing, and technical support for INFOBLOX solutions. The geographic impact is primarily at the DFC's headquarters or relevant operational sites within Maryland. Workforce implications are minimal for the public sector, as the services are contracted out.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if INFOBLOX solutions are deeply integrated.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure could pose security risks if not managed properly.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Competition, even if limited, suggests a degree of market validation for the pricing.
Contract renewal indicates satisfaction with the current service provider.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a significant area of government spending, encompassing a wide range of needs from software development to cybersecurity. Contracts for network management and security solutions like those provided by INFOBLOX are crucial for maintaining operational integrity. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT renewals within federal agencies can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The contract data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, this award does not directly benefit small businesses through a set-aside. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not explicitly detailed but could arise if COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC chooses to engage them for specific tasks.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

Network Security Services
IT Infrastructure Management
Software Licensing and Maintenance
Computer Related Services

Risk Flags

Competition limited by exclusion of sources.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
Reliance on specific software vendor (INFOBLOX).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded $98,480.52 to COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC. B045. INFOBLOX RENEWAL.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (U.S. International Development Finance Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $98,480.52.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-13. End: 2027-07-12.

What is the track record of COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation?

The provided data indicates that COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC has been awarded this specific delivery order (B045) for INFOBLOX renewal services by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Without access to historical contract databases or performance reviews, it is difficult to ascertain the full track record of COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC with the DFC beyond this single award. However, the fact that this is a renewal suggests a potentially positive past performance or at least a continued need for their services. Further investigation into previous awards, contract modifications, and any reported performance issues or commendations would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record with this agency.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar IT service contracts for network management?

The contract value of $984,805.52 over approximately three years (1094 days) for INFOBLOX renewal services can be benchmarked against similar IT service contracts. For instance, contracts for network security software licenses and associated support for agencies of similar size to the DFC often fall within a similar range. A direct comparison would involve analyzing contracts for network infrastructure management, DNS security, or IP address management solutions awarded to other vendors or to the same vendor for different agencies. Factors such as the number of users supported, the specific modules or features licensed, and the level of technical support included significantly influence pricing. Without specific details on these factors for comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the current award appears within a plausible range for specialized IT services.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential vendor lock-in, where the DFC becomes heavily reliant on INFOBLOX solutions and COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC's expertise, making future transitions costly and complex. There's also a risk related to the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition, which might indicate that the pool of qualified bidders was narrower than ideal, potentially impacting long-term cost-effectiveness or innovation. Furthermore, as with any IT contract, there's a risk of service disruption or performance degradation if COLOSSAL CONTRACTING LLC fails to meet the service level agreements, although the firm fixed-price nature mitigates financial risk for the government in such scenarios. Security vulnerabilities within the INFOBLOX software itself, or in its implementation by the contractor, also represent a significant risk.

How effective is the competition process for this contract in ensuring fair pricing?

The competition process for this contract is described as 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' with two bidders participating. While 'full and open' implies an intention to maximize competition, the 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests that certain potential bidders were deliberately not considered. The presence of two bidders indicates a degree of competition, which is generally effective in driving fair pricing compared to a sole-source award. However, a higher number of bidders typically leads to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government. The effectiveness of this specific process in ensuring fair pricing hinges on whether the exclusions were justified and if the two participating bidders represented a sufficiently competitive market.

What are the historical spending patterns for INFOBLOX services at the DFC or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for INFOBLOX services at the DFC or similar agencies are not detailed in the provided data. This specific award is for $984,805.52 over approximately three years. To understand historical patterns, one would need to examine past contracts for INFOBLOX products and services awarded to the DFC or other agencies with comparable IT needs. This would involve looking at the duration, value, and frequency of such awards. For example, if the DFC has consistently renewed INFOBLOX contracts over many years, it suggests a long-term reliance and potentially stable, albeit possibly increasing, spending. Conversely, a sudden increase in spending or a shift in vendors could indicate evolving needs or market dynamics. Analyzing trends in pricing and contract types (e.g., fixed-price vs. cost-plus) over time would also be informative.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 304 HARRY S TRUMAN PKWY STE G, ANNAPOLIS, MD, 21401

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $132,113

Exercised Options: $98,481

Current Obligation: $98,481

Actual Outlays: $66,193

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD72B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline