Analytical Solutions Inc. received $10.6M for IT support services from USDA's OCFO

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,585,554 ($10.6M)

Contractor: Analytical Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2006-10-13

End Date: 2007-09-30

Contract Duration: 352 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR IDD AND IDB OCT 1, 2006 TO OCT 31, 2006

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $10.6 million to ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR IDD AND IDB OCT 1, 2006 TO OCT 31, 2006 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for IT support services, indicating a need for specialized technical assistance. 2. The contract duration of 352 days suggests a medium-term engagement for specific project needs. 3. Awarded under a BPA Call, implying a pre-negotiated framework agreement was leveraged. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to 'Other Computer Related Services'. 5. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 6. The contractor, Analytical Solutions Inc., has a track record in providing IT services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.6 million for approximately one year of IT support services appears within a reasonable range for specialized services. However, without specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and the contractor's specific expertise, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for government agencies of similar size and complexity would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The fact that it was competed suggests that the agency sought to leverage market competition to obtain the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, which limits a deeper analysis of the competitive intensity.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services, as multiple companies vie for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer, which receives essential IT support. The services delivered are categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services,' suggesting a broad range of IT assistance. The contract's geographic impact is likely concentrated within the agency's operational locations, primarily Maryland. Workforce implications may include the utilization of skilled IT professionals by Analytical Solutions Inc. to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of the IT support provided.
The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code is broad, making it hard to pinpoint the exact nature and complexity of the services rendered.
Limited information on the competitive landscape (number of bidders) hinders a full understanding of price discovery and potential cost savings.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a commitment to leveraging market forces for best value.
The use of a BPA Call suggests an efficient procurement process, potentially saving administrative time and resources.
The contractor, Analytical Solutions Inc., has been selected, implying they met the necessary qualifications and requirements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services.' The IT services market for the federal government is substantial, with agencies consistently seeking support for their complex technological infrastructures. This contract represents a portion of the broader government spending on IT modernization, maintenance, and operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT support contracts across various federal agencies for similar scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The award to Analytical Solutions Inc. does not appear to be driven by small business goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
IT Operations and Maintenance
Computer Systems Design Services
IT Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service details.
Lack of specific performance metrics.
Number of bidders not specified, limiting competition analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $10.6 million to ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS INC. CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR IDD AND IDB OCT 1, 2006 TO OCT 31, 2006

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Office of the Chief Financial Officer).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-10-13. End: 2007-09-30.

What specific IT services were provided under this contract?

The contract identifies the NAICS code as 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' This is a broad category that can encompass a wide range of IT support, including but not limited to, IT infrastructure management, network support, help desk services, software maintenance, system administration, and potentially IT consulting. Without a detailed statement of work or task orders associated with this specific BPA Call, the precise nature of the services rendered remains unspecified. However, given it's for the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, it likely pertains to supporting financial systems, data management, or general IT operations critical to financial functions within the Department of Agriculture.

How does the contract value compare to similar IT support contracts within the federal government?

The contract value of approximately $10.6 million for a period of 352 days (roughly 11.5 months) translates to an average monthly cost of about $920,000. This figure needs to be contextualized by the specific services, skill sets required, and the complexity of the IT environment supported. For 'Other Computer Related Services,' this monthly burn rate could be considered moderate to high, depending on the level of expertise and the number of personnel involved. Benchmarking against similar contracts awarded by agencies like USDA or other large departments for comparable IT support would be necessary for a precise comparison. Factors such as labor rates, overhead, and profit margins typical for IT services in the federal market would influence this comparison.

What is the track record of Analytical Solutions Inc. in performing federal IT contracts?

Analytical Solutions Inc. has been awarded this contract, indicating they possess the necessary qualifications and capabilities to meet the requirements set forth by the Department of Agriculture. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on other federal contracts, including their adherence to schedules, quality of deliverables, and customer satisfaction ratings. Information on previous contracts, their values, and performance evaluations would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering IT services to government clients. A review of their contract history in FPDS would reveal the extent and nature of their prior federal engagements.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Potential risks include scope creep if the statement of work is not clearly defined, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. There's also a risk related to the contractor's performance if they lack the specific expertise required for the 'Other Computer Related Services' niche, potentially impacting the efficiency of the OCFO's IT operations. Given the broad NAICS code, a lack of clarity on deliverables could also pose a risk. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for critical IT support could create dependency risks. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these potential issues.

How does the competition level impact the value received by taxpayers?

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This implies that the solicitation was widely advertised, allowing numerous potential bidders to submit proposals. A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging higher quality service offerings as companies strive to win the contract. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, the fact that it was competed openly suggests that the government likely received competitive pricing and a range of technical solutions. This contrasts with sole-source or limited competition awards, which may offer less price pressure.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Other Computer Related Services' at the Department of Agriculture?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for NAICS code 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services') at the Department of Agriculture would provide context for this $10.6 million award. This involves reviewing past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years to identify trends in spending volume, average contract values, and the primary contractors. Such an analysis could reveal whether this award is consistent with historical levels, represents an increase or decrease in IT support investment, and whether spending is concentrated within specific offices like the OCFO. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing the current contract's significance and potential future IT service needs.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4485 DANUBE DR STE 6, KING GEORGE, VA, 22485

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AG3142B060013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline