NARA awards $28.6M IT support contract to Mutatio Inc., highlighting competition and system design services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,602,224 ($28.6M)

Contractor: Mutatio Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2020-09-15

End Date: 2026-04-24

Contract Duration: 2,047 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NISP O&M SUPPORT SERVICES BASE POP: SEP 15, 2020 - SEP 14, 2021 TASK ORDER POP: SEP 15, 2020 - SEP 14, 2025

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $28.6 million to MUTATIO INC. for work described as: NISP O&M SUPPORT SERVICES BASE POP: SEP 15, 2020 - SEP 14, 2021 TASK ORDER POP: SEP 15, 2020 - SEP 14, 2025 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on IT operations and maintenance, crucial for government data management. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration extends over five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. Task order structure allows for flexibility in service delivery and potential adjustments. 5. Computer Systems Design Services are essential for maintaining and upgrading federal IT infrastructure. 6. The award to Mutatio Inc. represents a significant investment in NARA's technological capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $28.6 million over approximately five years for IT operations and maintenance appears reasonable given the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies of NARA's size and mission complexity would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the overall value is contingent on the effective delivery of services and adherence to performance metrics.

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, indicating that multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The presence of three bidders, as suggested by the 'no' field, points to a healthy level of competition. This competitive process is expected to drive more favorable pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally leads to better value for taxpayers by ensuring that the government secures services at market-competitive rates and avoids potential overpayment associated with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

Federal agencies, specifically the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), benefit from enhanced IT infrastructure and operational support. Services include computer systems design, crucial for maintaining and upgrading NARA's digital assets and operational capabilities. The contract supports the secure and efficient management of government records and information. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT personnel, potentially both within the contractor and indirectly supporting NARA's IT staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if transition planning is inadequate at contract end.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT operations could pose risks if performance falters.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed tightly through task order modifications.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
Long-term contract duration allows for stable support and potential for relationship building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. This sector is a significant component of federal IT spending, supporting the modernization and maintenance of government systems. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized IT support. NARA's spending on such services is typical for agencies managing large volumes of data and requiring robust digital infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. However, given the nature of IT support services, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to Mutatio Inc., depending on the specific task orders issued and the company's subcontracting plan. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Archives and Records Administration's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving task orders. The contract's firm-fixed-price nature provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

NARA IT Modernization Projects
Federal Civilian Agency IT Support Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services
Information Technology Operations and Maintenance

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical government functions.
Cybersecurity risks associated with contractor access to sensitive systems.
Budgetary risks if scope creep is not managed effectively.
Dependency on contractor expertise could hinder internal knowledge development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $28.6 million to MUTATIO INC.. NISP O&M SUPPORT SERVICES BASE POP: SEP 15, 2020 - SEP 14, 2021 TASK ORDER POP: SEP 15, 2020 - SEP 14, 2025

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MUTATIO INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-15. End: 2026-04-24.

What is Mutatio Inc.'s track record with federal IT support contracts?

Mutatio Inc.'s track record with federal IT support contracts would need to be reviewed through databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. A thorough assessment would involve examining past performance evaluations, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and the types and scale of previous IT services contracts they have held. Understanding their experience with agencies of similar size and complexity to NARA, particularly in areas like computer systems design and O&M, is crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this award. A positive track record would include consistent on-time delivery, adherence to budget, and positive client feedback.

How does the awarded price compare to similar IT support contracts?

To benchmark the $28.6 million award, one would compare it to IT support contracts of similar scope, duration, and complexity awarded to other federal agencies. Key metrics for comparison include the average cost per IT professional, the cost of specific services like system design or maintenance per hour or per system, and the overall contract value relative to the agency's IT budget. For instance, if NARA is a medium-sized agency with significant digital archiving needs, this contract value should be assessed against contracts for agencies with comparable missions and IT infrastructures. A higher or lower value than comparable contracts would warrant further investigation into the specific services, performance requirements, and market conditions.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for NARA?

The primary risks for NARA associated with this contract include potential underperformance by Mutatio Inc., leading to disruptions in critical IT operations and data management. There's also a risk of cost overruns if task orders are not managed effectively, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Vendor lock-in could become an issue if NARA becomes overly reliant on Mutatio's proprietary systems or processes, making future transitions difficult and costly. Furthermore, cybersecurity vulnerabilities introduced or not adequately addressed by the contractor pose a significant risk to sensitive government data. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics are key to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for IT services?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs in IT services when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. It shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, providing budget certainty for the government. For services like routine IT operations and maintenance, where requirements are predictable, FFP is advantageous. However, for IT projects involving significant research, development, or evolving requirements, FFP can be less suitable, potentially leading to contractors inflating their bids to cover unforeseen risks or to scope creep if changes are not managed through formal modifications. In this case, for O&M, FFP is a suitable choice for cost control.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support services at NARA?

Analyzing NARA's historical spending patterns for IT support services would involve reviewing procurement data over the past several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, the types of IT services procured (e.g., system design, maintenance, cybersecurity), the primary contractors utilized, and the overall IT budget allocation. Understanding these patterns helps determine if the current $28.6 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment compared to previous years. It also highlights any shifts in NARA's IT strategy or reliance on external support. Consistent high spending might indicate a growing need or ongoing challenges with internal IT capabilities.

What is the significance of the 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code for NARA?

The NAICS code 541512, 'Computer Systems Design Services,' signifies that this contract primarily covers the design, development, integration, and implementation of computer systems. For NARA, this is critical as it manages vast amounts of historical and governmental data that require robust, secure, and efficient digital infrastructure. These services enable NARA to upgrade legacy systems, implement new technologies for data storage and retrieval, enhance cybersecurity measures, and ensure the overall reliability and performance of its IT environment. It directly supports NARA's mission of preserving and providing access to the nation's records.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1765 GREENSBORO STATION PL STE 900, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,073,026

Exercised Options: $32,317,076

Current Obligation: $28,602,224

Actual Outlays: $24,741,265

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98119D00025

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline