Export-Import Bank awards $2.77M for AWS cloud services to Four Points Technology, L.L.C

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,772,713 ($2.8M)

Contractor: Four Points Technology, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States

Start Date: 2021-06-08

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,848 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: AWS CLOUD SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20571

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Export-Import Bank of the United States obligated $2.8 million to FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C. for work described as: AWS CLOUD SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.77 million over approximately 5 years represents a significant investment in cloud infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract is a BPA Call, indicating it's a call-off from a pre-existing agreement, which can streamline procurement. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency. 5. The duration of 1848 days (approx. 5 years) allows for long-term planning and integration of cloud services. 6. The award to Four Points Technology, L.L.C. for AWS cloud services highlights the growing reliance on major cloud providers.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.77 million for cloud services is moderate. Benchmarking against similar AWS service contracts requires access to detailed service breakdowns and usage patterns. However, the use of a BPA call suggests potential pre-negotiated rates that could offer value. The firm fixed-price nature provides budget predictability, which is a positive indicator for value realization.

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 offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and terms 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 advantageous for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through robust price discovery and a wider pool of potential offerors.

Public Impact

The Export-Import Bank of the United States benefits from enhanced IT infrastructure and cloud capabilities. Services delivered include access to Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing resources. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the agency is located. The contract supports the agency's operational efficiency and data management through modern cloud solutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in with AWS services if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single cloud service provider could pose risks if that provider experiences outages or security breaches.
Ensuring ongoing cost optimization within the AWS environment will be critical over the contract's duration.

Positive Signals

Leveraging a leading cloud provider like AWS can offer scalability and advanced technological capabilities.
The use of a BPA call may indicate favorable pre-negotiated terms and efficient procurement.
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the agency.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology sector, specifically cloud computing services, is a rapidly growing area of federal spending. Agencies are increasingly migrating to cloud environments to improve flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. This contract for AWS services fits within the broader trend of federal agencies adopting cloud solutions, with significant spending allocated annually across various cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. The award was made to Four Points Technology, L.L.C., which is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless Four Points Technology engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Export-Import Bank's internal contracting and financial management departments. As a BPA Call, oversight may also be influenced by the terms and oversight mechanisms of the parent BPA. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Cloud Purchasing Programs
AWS Enterprise Cloud Contracts
IT Infrastructure Modernization Programs
Cloud Computing Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns if usage exceeds projections under fixed-price.
Dependency on a single cloud provider (AWS).
Security and compliance risks inherent in cloud environments.
Contract duration may not align with rapidly evolving cloud technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Export-Import Bank of the United States awarded $2.8 million to FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.. AWS CLOUD SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Export-Import Bank of the United States (Export-Import Bank of the United States).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-08. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of Four Points Technology, L.L.C. in providing cloud services to the federal government?

Four Points Technology, L.L.C. has a history of providing IT solutions and services to the federal government. Their involvement in cloud services, particularly with major providers like AWS, is a growing area. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, including delivery timelines, customer satisfaction, and adherence to security protocols, would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities. Specific details on their prior experience with BPA calls and firm fixed-price contracts would also be relevant for assessing their suitability for this award.

How does the pricing of this AWS cloud services contract compare to other federal agencies' AWS agreements?

Direct comparison of pricing is challenging without access to the specific service catalog and negotiated rates within this BPA Call and the parent BPA. However, federal agencies often leverage GSA schedules and other GWACs (Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts) to secure competitive pricing for AWS services. The fact that this is a BPA Call suggests that Four Points Technology likely has favorable terms under a larger, potentially competitively awarded BPA. Benchmarking would involve comparing the unit costs for specific AWS services (e.g., EC2 instances, S3 storage) against publicly available GSA schedule pricing or other known federal AWS agreements, adjusting for volume and contract duration.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on AWS cloud services for critical government functions?

Key risks include vendor lock-in, where migrating away from AWS could be complex and costly. Security is paramount; while AWS provides a secure infrastructure, the government agency is responsible for securing its data and applications within that environment (shared responsibility model). Service disruptions or outages, though infrequent, could impact operations. Compliance with federal regulations (e.g., FedRAMP, CMMC) is also a critical consideration. Furthermore, the concentration of data with a single provider can be a target for cyberattacks.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type for procuring dynamic cloud services like AWS?

A firm fixed-price (FFP) contract provides cost certainty for the government, meaning the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs. For cloud services, FFP can be effective for predictable usage patterns or specific service commitments (e.g., reserved instances, fixed monthly fees for certain platforms). However, for highly variable or consumption-based cloud services (like raw compute or data transfer), FFP might be less ideal than other contract types (e.g., cost-reimbursable with cost ceilings, or time-and-materials with labor rate caps) if usage fluctuates significantly. The agency must carefully scope expected usage to ensure the FFP remains advantageous.

What is the historical spending trend for cloud services at the Export-Import Bank?

Analyzing historical spending data for cloud services at the Export-Import Bank would reveal trends in their adoption and investment in cloud technologies. This specific $2.77 million award over five years suggests a significant commitment. Understanding past expenditures on IT infrastructure, including any prior cloud adoption or related services, would provide context for this current contract's scale and importance. A review of previous fiscal years' IT budgets and contract awards would be necessary to establish this trend.

What are the implications of using a BPA Call versus a direct award for these AWS services?

A BPA Call (Blanket Purchase Agreement Call) is an order placed against an existing BPA. BPAs are established to streamline the procurement of commonly purchased items or services. Using a BPA Call typically means the underlying BPA was already competitively awarded, potentially offering pre-negotiated pricing and terms. This can lead to faster delivery and potentially better value compared to starting a new procurement from scratch. However, the specific terms and competition level of the parent BPA are crucial for assessing the overall value and risk.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14900 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 100, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,772,713

Exercised Options: $2,772,713

Current Obligation: $2,772,713

Actual Outlays: $1,980,326

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 83310119A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline