DOE/NNSA awards $40.9M for IT policy and governance support, with 3 bidders competing
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $40,881,250 ($40.9M)
Contractor: Criterion Systems, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2018-03-01
End Date: 2022-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,644 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF POLICY AND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (DOE/NNSA) OFFICE OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO)
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $40.9 million to CRITERION SYSTEMS, L.L.C. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF POLICY AND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (DOE/NNSA) OFFICE OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO) Key points: 1. Contract provides essential IT policy and governance support to DOE/NNSA's OCIO. 2. The award was made under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. 3. Competition involved 3 bidders, suggesting a moderately competitive environment. 4. The contract duration of 1644 days (approx. 4.5 years) indicates a long-term need. 5. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 6. The services are critical for maintaining effective information management and IT governance. 7. The contractor, Criterion Systems, L.L.C., has experience in this domain.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $40.9 million over 1644 days averages to roughly $24,867 per day. Without specific benchmarks for 'Policy and Governance Support Services' within the DOE/NNSA, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. The number of bidders (3) suggests a reasonable level of competition that likely contributed to a fair price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. With three bidders participating, the competition level appears moderate. This suggests that while multiple companies were aware of and interested in the requirement, the market may not be saturated with potential providers for this specialized IT governance support.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process with multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.
Public Impact
The U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration benefit from enhanced IT policy and governance. Services support the Office of Information Management and Chief Information Officer (OCIO). Improved IT governance can lead to more secure and efficient operations within the agency. The contract supports the federal government's broader goals of effective IT management and cybersecurity.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and difficult to transition.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT policy functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a healthy market response.
- Contract duration indicates a stable, long-term need being met.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on IT Management and Governance. The market for IT policy and governance support services is substantial within the federal government, as agencies increasingly rely on robust IT infrastructure and compliance frameworks. Comparable spending often involves contracts for IT consulting, cybersecurity, and enterprise architecture support. The $40.9 million award is a significant but not extraordinary sum for a multi-year federal IT support contract.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a specific set-aside requirement. Large businesses were likely the primary participants in this full and open competition, and any subcontracting opportunities would depend on the prime contractor's strategy.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a firm-fixed-price award, the primary oversight focuses on ensuring the contractor meets the defined scope of work and performance standards. The Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers are responsible for monitoring performance. Inspector General oversight may be involved if any performance or financial irregularities are identified.
Related Government Programs
- IT Management Consulting Services
- Information Technology Policy Development
- Chief Information Officer Support
- Federal IT Governance Frameworks
- Department of Energy IT Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for knowledge transfer gaps upon contract completion.
- Risk of misalignment between contractor recommendations and agency needs.
- Performance monitoring is crucial due to firm-fixed-price structure.
Tags
it-services, policy-support, governance, doe, nnsa, cio-support, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, washington-dc, information-management, it-consulting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $40.9 million to CRITERION SYSTEMS, L.L.C.. IGF::CL::IGF POLICY AND GOVERNANCE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY/NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (DOE/NNSA) OFFICE OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CRITERION SYSTEMS, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $40.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-03-01. End: 2022-08-31.
What is the specific nature of the 'Policy and Governance Support Services' provided under this contract?
The contract, awarded to Criterion Systems, L.L.C., focuses on providing policy and governance support for the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) Office of Information Management and Chief Information Officer (OCIO). This typically involves assisting the OCIO in developing, implementing, and maintaining IT policies, standards, and governance frameworks. Services may include areas such as IT strategic planning, cybersecurity policy, data management policies, IT compliance, risk management, and ensuring alignment with federal IT mandates like the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) and the Clinger-Cohen Act. The goal is to ensure the DOE/NNSA's IT operations are secure, efficient, compliant, and aligned with its mission objectives.
How does the $40.9 million contract value compare to similar IT policy support contracts within the federal government?
Assessing the $40.9 million value requires context. This contract spans approximately 4.5 years (1644 days), making the annual value around $9 million. Federal IT support contracts, especially those involving policy, governance, and strategic planning for large agencies like the DOE, can range significantly. Contracts for similar high-level IT advisory and support services for agencies like the Department of Defense or HHS can often exceed this amount, particularly if they involve broader enterprise-wide transformations or extensive cybersecurity mandates. However, compared to contracts for basic IT infrastructure maintenance or help desk support, this value is higher, reflecting the specialized expertise required for policy and governance.
What are the key risks associated with this contract for the DOE/NNSA?
Key risks include potential over-reliance on the contractor for critical institutional knowledge regarding IT policy and governance, which could lead to knowledge gaps if the contractor team changes significantly or the contract ends. There's also a risk of misalignment between the contractor's recommendations and the agency's unique operational realities or evolving strategic priorities, potentially leading to inefficient or ineffective policy implementation. Performance risk is another factor; if the contractor fails to deliver high-quality, timely support, it could hinder the OCIO's ability to manage IT effectively, impacting security, compliance, and operational efficiency. Finally, the firm-fixed-price nature, while good for cost control, could incentivize the contractor to cut corners on quality if not properly monitored.
What does the competition level (3 bidders) imply about the contractor's track record and the market for these services?
Having three bidders in a full and open competition suggests a moderately competitive market for these specialized IT policy and governance services within the DOE/NNSA context. It indicates that while there are multiple capable firms interested, the pool of highly qualified and experienced contractors for this specific niche might be limited. For the winning contractor, Criterion Systems, L.L.C., this implies they successfully demonstrated a strong understanding of the requirements and presented a compelling technical and cost proposal against at least two other competitors. It suggests the contractor likely has a solid track record in providing similar services, as they needed to be competitive enough to win against established players in the federal IT contracting space.
How has federal spending on IT policy and governance support evolved, and where does this contract fit?
Federal spending on IT policy and governance support has steadily increased over the past decade, driven by growing cybersecurity threats, the digitization of government services, and mandates for IT modernization (e.g., the Modernizing Government Technology Act). Agencies require sophisticated support to navigate complex regulatory landscapes, implement enterprise-wide IT strategies, and ensure compliance. This $40.9 million contract for DOE/NNSA fits within this trend, representing a significant investment in ensuring the agency's IT functions are well-managed and secure. It's part of a broader category of IT professional services spending, which constitutes a substantial portion of the federal IT budget, focusing on strategic oversight rather than direct IT infrastructure provision.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8330 BOONE BLVD STE 400, VIENNA, VA, 22182
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $40,881,250
Exercised Options: $40,881,250
Current Obligation: $40,881,250
Actual Outlays: $19,092,341
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DENA0002615
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-03-01
Current End Date: 2022-08-31
Potential End Date: 2022-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-03-06
More Contracts from Criterion Systems, L.L.C.
- ,Ct::igf National Nuclear Security Administration (doe/Nnsa) Cyber Security Support Services — $189.3M (Department of Energy)
- National Nuclear Security Administration (doe/Nnsa) Cyber Security Support Services — $70.5M (Department of Energy)
- THE Ocio HAS the Responsibility to Foster a Culture of Information Sharing and Ensure That Investments in Information Technology (IT) Systems and Projects Across the Nnsa ARE Coordinated, Have the Necessary Cybersecurity Protection, and ARE in Alignm — $57.5M (Department of Energy)
- National Nuclear Security Administration (doe/Nnsa) Cyber Security Support Services — $53.6M (Department of Energy)
- Administrative Continuance for Nitc IT Support Services Option Year 2 Exercised and Incrementally Funded Igf::cl,Ct::igf Nitc IT Support Services — $48.1M (General Services Administration)
Other Department of Energy Contracts
- Federal Contract — $48.1B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- ,Ct::igf Contract Award De-Na0003525 to the National Technology&engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (ntess) for the Management and Operation of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) — $41.7B (National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC)
- Management and Operation of the OAK Ridge National Laboratory — $40.8B (Ut-Battelle LLC)
- TAS::89 0240::TAS This Performance-Based Management Contract (pbmc) IS for the Management and Operation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (llnl). the Contractor Shall, in Accordance With the Provisions of This Contract, Accomplish the Missions and Programs Assigned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Manage and Operate the Laboratory. the Laboratory IS ONE of Does Office of Defense Program Multi-Program Laboratories. the Laboratory IS a Federally Funded Research and Development Institution (established in Accordance With the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Operated Under This Management and Operating (M&O) Contract, AS Defined in FAR 17.6 and Dear 917.6 — $40.8B (Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC)
- M&O of Lanl BR of U of CA — $35.3B (Regents of the University of California, the)