NASA awards $24.5M for Oracle database support, with 4 option years extending to 2022
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,462,832 ($24.5M)
Contractor: Affigent, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2017-11-17
End Date: 2023-04-14
Contract Duration: 1,974 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.4K/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: IGF::OT::IGF THE DELIVERY ORDER IS FOR ORACLE DATABASE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT, PER ATTACHED AFFIGENT QUOTE C-CC003298 DATED 11/17/2017, SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO SEWP RFQ # 77048. THIS DELIVERY ORDER CONSIST OF A BASE YEAR AND ONE-YEAR OPTIONS. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR THIS ORDER SHALL BE: BASE YEAR; 10/15/17 - 10/14/18. OPTION YEAR L; 10/15/18 - 10/14/19. OPTION YEAR 2; 10/15/19 - 10/14/20. OPTION YEAR 3; 10/15/20 - 10/14/21. OPTION YEAR 4; 10/15/21 - 10/14/22.
Place of Performance
Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20171
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $24.5 million to AFFIGENT, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THE DELIVERY ORDER IS FOR ORACLE DATABASE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT, PER ATTACHED AFFIGENT QUOTE C-CC003298 DATED 11/17/2017, SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO SEWP RFQ # 77048. THIS DELIVERY ORDER CONSIST OF A BASE YEAR AND ONE-YEAR OPTIONS. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR THIS … Key points: 1. Contract value of $24.5M over 5 years suggests a significant investment in critical database infrastructure. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and transfer risk to the contractor. 4. Affigent, LLC, the contractor, will provide Oracle database maintenance and support services. 5. The contract's duration and scope point to a long-term need for specialized IT support within NASA. 6. The use of SEWP RFQ indicates a streamlined procurement process for IT solutions.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $24.5M over five years, including options, for Oracle database maintenance and support appears reasonable given the duration and scope. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for large federal agencies suggests that pricing for specialized software maintenance can be substantial. The firm-fixed-price contract type is generally favorable for the government in managing cost predictability. Without specific details on the service levels and the exact number of databases supported, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which is a method to ensure broad competition while potentially excluding specific sources if justified. The use of SEWP (Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement) RFQ suggests a competitive process among pre-qualified vendors. The fact that it was competed broadly implies that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayers benefit from the most competitive pricing available in the market, as multiple qualified vendors vied for the contract. This process helps prevent inflated costs and promotes efficiency.
Public Impact
NASA's mission-critical operations are supported through the reliable functioning of its Oracle databases. Federal employees and contractors involved in space exploration, research, and administration benefit from stable IT infrastructure. The contract ensures the continuity of essential IT services across NASA facilities. The IT workforce within NASA may benefit from the stable support provided by this contract, allowing them to focus on core mission objectives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if alternative database solutions are not considered in the future.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical database maintenance could pose risks if the vendor faces financial or operational challenges.
- The complexity of Oracle databases requires specialized expertise, and ensuring consistent service quality over the contract's duration is key.
Positive Signals
- The contract is awarded through a competitive process, indicating a selection based on merit and price.
- The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for NASA.
- The use of SEWP, a government-wide acquisition contract, suggests an efficient and compliant procurement method.
- Multiple option years allow for flexibility and sustained support, reducing the need for frequent re-competition.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on database management and support services. The market for enterprise database software and maintenance is dominated by a few major players, with Oracle being a significant one. Federal agencies like NASA rely heavily on such robust database solutions for managing vast amounts of data. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services within large federal agencies often run into millions of dollars annually, reflecting the complexity and criticality of these systems.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (SEWP), the subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on Affigent, LLC's subcontracting plan and the nature of the services required. Without specific subcontracting data, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though larger prime contracts often have subcontracting goals.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a delivery order issued under the SEWP contract vehicle, it adheres to the established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms of that vehicle. NASA's contracting officers and program managers are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The Inspector General's office at NASA would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations into potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Infrastructure Support
- Enterprise Software Licensing and Maintenance
- Cloud Database Services
- Data Management Solutions
- SEWP Contracts
Risk Flags
- Vendor Lock-in Potential
- Service Disruption Risk
- Cost Escalation Risk
- Expertise Retention
Tags
it, nasa, oracle-database, database-support, maintenance, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, sewp, it-services, software-support, virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $24.5 million to AFFIGENT, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF THE DELIVERY ORDER IS FOR ORACLE DATABASE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT, PER ATTACHED AFFIGENT QUOTE C-CC003298 DATED 11/17/2017, SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO SEWP RFQ # 77048. THIS DELIVERY ORDER CONSIST OF A BASE YEAR AND ONE-YEAR OPTIONS. THE PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR THIS ORDER SHALL BE: BASE YEAR; 10/15/17 - 10/14/18. OPTION YEAR L; 10/15/18 - 10/14/19. OPTION YEAR 2; 10/15/19 - 10/14/20. OPTION YEAR 3; 10/15/20 - 10/14/21. OPTION YEAR 4; 10/15/21 - 10/14/22.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AFFIGENT, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-11-17. End: 2023-04-14.
What is the track record of Affigent, LLC in providing Oracle database support to federal agencies?
Assessing Affigent, LLC's track record requires examining past performance evaluations and contract history. While this specific award indicates they were selected for Oracle database maintenance and support by NASA, further investigation into their performance on previous contracts, particularly those involving similar services and scale, would be beneficial. Information on contract close-outs, any past performance issues, or commendations would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability. Federal procurement databases and past performance information repositories can offer insights into their history with other agencies, helping to gauge their experience and success rate in delivering complex IT support services.
How does the per-unit cost of this Oracle database support compare to market rates or similar federal contracts?
Determining the precise per-unit cost is challenging without a detailed breakdown of services rendered (e.g., number of database instances supported, level of support, specific modules covered). However, the total award of $24.5 million over five years for comprehensive Oracle database maintenance and support suggests a significant investment. To benchmark, one would compare this contract's total cost and duration against similar firm-fixed-price contracts for Oracle support awarded to other large federal agencies. Market research on standard Oracle support and maintenance fees, adjusted for volume and service level agreements, would also be necessary. Given the specialized nature of enterprise database support, costs can vary widely based on the specific Oracle products and the scope of services.
What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical Oracle database maintenance and support?
The primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor like Affigent, LLC for critical Oracle database maintenance and support include vendor lock-in, potential price increases upon contract renewal, and service disruptions if the vendor experiences financial instability or operational issues. There's also a risk that the vendor may not maintain the highest level of expertise or responsiveness over the contract's lifespan. Furthermore, if NASA's needs evolve, the current vendor might not be the best positioned to offer alternative solutions, potentially hindering innovation or the adoption of more cost-effective technologies. Mitigating these risks often involves robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and contingency planning.
How effective is the SEWP contract vehicle in ensuring competitive pricing for IT solutions like this Oracle support contract?
The Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement (SEWP) contract vehicle is designed to provide a streamlined and competitive process for acquiring IT solutions. It functions as a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), meaning it has already undergone a competitive bidding process to establish the master contracts. When agencies like NASA issue delivery orders against SEWP, they are typically leveraging pre-competed pricing and terms. While the specific delivery order itself is competed among SEWP contract holders, the overall structure of SEWP aims to enhance efficiency and ensure fair and reasonable pricing through pre-qualification and ongoing competition among its awardees. This generally leads to better price discovery than sole-source procurements.
What is the historical spending pattern for Oracle database support at NASA, and how does this contract compare?
To analyze historical spending patterns for Oracle database support at NASA, one would need to examine procurement data over several previous fiscal years. This would involve identifying all contracts awarded for Oracle maintenance, support, and related services, noting their values, durations, and contractors. Comparing the current $24.5 million award over five years to historical figures would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. Factors such as changes in IT infrastructure, adoption of new technologies (like cloud databases), or shifts in procurement strategies could influence these patterns. Understanding this context helps determine if the current contract represents a typical investment or a significant deviation.
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 › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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
Parent Company: Nana Regional Corporation Inc
Address: 2553 DULLES VIEW DR, HERNDON, VA, 20171
Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,588,644
Exercised Options: $24,462,832
Current Obligation: $24,462,832
Actual Outlays: $17,042,033
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC59B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-11-17
Current End Date: 2023-04-14
Potential End Date: 2023-04-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-01-27
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