Department of Agriculture awarded $11.4M for ITS-IDD and FSA support, with contract duration exceeding 2 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,362,767 ($11.4M)

Contractor: Analytical Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2007-10-16

End Date: 2009-09-30

Contract Duration: 715 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Sector: IT

Official Description: ITS-IDD AND FSA SUPPORT UNDER THE ASI CONTRACT POP OCT 1, 2007 TO NOV 30, 2007

Place of Performance

Location: FREDERICKSBURG, SPOTSYLVANIA County, VIRGINIA, 22407

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $11.4 million to ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: ITS-IDD AND FSA SUPPORT UNDER THE ASI CONTRACT POP OCT 1, 2007 TO NOV 30, 2007 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of IT and financial systems support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration of over two years indicates a need for sustained support. 4. Performance period spans a significant timeframe, allowing for evaluation of long-term impact. 5. Sector positioning within IT services for financial management. 6. Potential for cost savings through competitive bidding and efficient service delivery.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $11.4 million for ITS-IDD and FSA support over a period of nearly two years seems within a reasonable range for IT services of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support and financial systems assistance would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. However, given the full and open competition, it is likely that the pricing reflects market rates.

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 a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method of procurement generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality for the government. The open nature of the competition suggests that the agency sought the best possible solution and price.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for cost efficiencies and a wider range of innovative solutions that can arise from a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer within the Department of Agriculture benefits from enhanced IT and financial systems support. Services delivered likely include system maintenance, development, and operational support for critical financial functions. Geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Agriculture's operational centers, likely concentrated in Virginia. Workforce implications may involve support staff for IT systems and financial analysts, potentially augmenting existing government personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor effectiveness.
Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT and financial support could pose a risk.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract duration of over two years allows for sustained support and relationship building.
Contractor has experience in providing IT services, as indicated by the award.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on IT infrastructure and financial systems support. The market for IT services to government agencies is substantial, with significant spending allocated to maintaining and modernizing federal systems. This contract represents a portion of the Department of Agriculture's investment in ensuring the efficient operation of its financial management systems.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve contract officers, program managers, and potentially an Inspector General's office within the Department of Agriculture. Accountability measures are usually tied to performance metrics and delivery schedules outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of Agriculture IT Modernization Programs
Federal Financial Management Systems Support
IT Services for Government Agencies
ASI Contract Support

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds 2 years, requiring sustained monitoring.
Specific performance metrics not detailed, impacting evaluation of effectiveness.
Potential for reliance on a single vendor for critical support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $11.4 million to ANALYTICAL SOLUTIONS INC. ITS-IDD AND FSA SUPPORT UNDER THE ASI CONTRACT POP OCT 1, 2007 TO NOV 30, 2007

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 $11.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-10-16. End: 2009-09-30.

What specific IT infrastructure and financial systems are covered under this contract?

The contract, identified as ITS-IDD AND FSA SUPPORT UNDER THE ASI CONTRACT, likely pertains to the Information Technology Services - Integrated Data Dictionary (ITS-IDD) and Financial Systems Administration (FSA) support. While the specific systems are not detailed in the provided data, these acronyms suggest support for data management infrastructure and the administration of financial software and processes within the Department of Agriculture's Office of the Chief Financial Officer. This could encompass a range of functions from database management and system integration to user support and maintenance of financial reporting tools.

How does the contract value of $11.4 million compare to similar IT support contracts within the Department of Agriculture?

Without access to a comprehensive database of all Department of Agriculture IT contracts, a direct comparison of the $11.4 million value is challenging. However, for a contract spanning nearly two years (715 days) and covering IT infrastructure and financial systems support, this amount appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized services. Federal IT contracts can vary widely in cost based on scope, complexity, and duration. The fact that this contract was awarded under full and open competition suggests that the pricing was deemed competitive in the market.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks for this contract could include potential performance issues if the contractor, Analytical Solutions Inc., fails to meet service level agreements, or if there are unforeseen technical challenges. Another risk is vendor lock-in, although mitigated by the full and open competition. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management, clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and contingency planning. The Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and program managers are responsible for monitoring performance and addressing any issues that arise to ensure successful delivery of services.

What is the historical spending pattern for ITS-IDD and FSA support within the Department of Agriculture?

The provided data only details a single contract award for ITS-IDD and FSA support to Analytical Solutions Inc. from October 2007 to September 2009. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze contract data over a longer period, looking for recurring awards for similar services, the number of contractors involved, and the total expenditure on these types of support functions. This single data point does not provide enough information to establish a trend or pattern in historical spending for these specific services.

What is the track record of Analytical Solutions Inc. in performing similar government contracts?

The provided data indicates that Analytical Solutions Inc. (ASI) was awarded this contract for ITS-IDD and FSA support. To assess their track record, one would need to examine other contracts awarded to ASI by federal agencies, particularly those involving IT services and financial systems support. Information such as past performance evaluations, contract values, and the duration of previous engagements would be crucial. Without this additional data, it is difficult to definitively assess ASI's overall track record beyond this specific award.

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

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