Forest Service awarded $18.7M for HP hardware replacement planning under existing GSA and USDA agreements

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,707,000 ($18.7M)

Contractor: Government Acquisitions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2008-02-27

End Date: 2008-12-31

Contract Duration: 308 days

Daily Burn Rate: $60.7K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: GOVERNEMENT ACQUISITIONS HP HARDWARE REPLACEMENT PLANNING SEE SCHEDULE BELOW FOR ITEM DESCRIPTION AND BLOCK 6, OF THIS FORM, FOR SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS AND POINT OF CONTACT. THE PROVISIONS OF THE USDA BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) NUMBER AG-3142-B-06-0035 AND GSA CONTRACT NUMBER GS-35F-0779J ARE APPLICABLE UNDER THE ORDER. SPREADSHEETS WITH COMPUTER DESCRIPTION, TYPE AND SPECS ATTACHED.

Place of Performance

Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45202

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $18.7 million to GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC for work described as: GOVERNEMENT ACQUISITIONS HP HARDWARE REPLACEMENT PLANNING SEE SCHEDULE BELOW FOR ITEM DESCRIPTION AND BLOCK 6, OF THIS FORM, FOR SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS AND POINT OF CONTACT. THE PROVISIONS OF THE USDA BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) NUMBER AG-3142-B-06-0035 AND GSA CONTRACT NUM… Key points: 1. Contract leverages existing GSA and USDA agreements, potentially reducing administrative burden and ensuring pre-negotiated terms. 2. The award is for planning services related to hardware replacement, not the hardware itself, indicating a focus on strategic procurement. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and budget, offering cost certainty for the agency. 4. The duration of 308 days indicates a focused, short-term project for planning purposes. 5. The award was made to Government Acquisitions Inc., a contractor with existing federal contract vehicles.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $18.7 million for planning services appears substantial for a 308-day duration. Without specific deliverables or a detailed breakdown of the planning activities, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The use of existing GSA and USDA agreements suggests some level of pre-negotiated pricing, but the overall cost-effectiveness hinges on the scope and efficiency of the planning process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data does not specify the competition level for this particular award. It is noted that the order is placed under existing BPA and GSA contracts, which may have been competed previously. However, the specific procurement process for this task order is not detailed, leaving the level of competition and its impact on price discovery unclear.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of transparency regarding the competition for this task order makes it difficult to assess whether taxpayers received the best possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Forest Service, which will receive planning services to support its IT hardware replacement strategy. This contract aims to facilitate the efficient and effective acquisition of future IT hardware, ensuring operational continuity for the agency. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as the Forest Service operates across various regions. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract is for planning and not for direct IT support or deployment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if planning activities are not tightly defined.
Risk of the planning not translating into cost-effective hardware procurement in subsequent phases.
Dependence on the quality of the planning services provided by the contractor.

Positive Signals

Leverages existing, potentially pre-competed, contract vehicles (GSA, USDA BPA).
Firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the planning phase.
Clear end date (December 31, 2008) for the planning effort.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on IT hardware lifecycle management and strategic planning. The market for IT planning and consulting services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in procurement strategy and technology roadmapping. The value of such services is often benchmarked against industry standards for IT project management and consulting, though specific hardware replacement planning can be unique to agency needs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was placed under existing GSA and USDA agreements, the subcontracting opportunities would depend on the terms of those master agreements and the specific practices of Government Acquisitions Inc.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Forest Service contracting officer and program officials responsible for IT asset management. Transparency is limited by the available public data; details on specific oversight mechanisms or performance reviews are not provided. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

USDA Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) AG-3142-B-06-0035
GSA Contract GS-35F-0779J
IT Hardware Procurement
IT Asset Management Planning

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed scope and deliverables
Unclear competition level for the task order
High award amount for planning services without clear justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $18.7 million to GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC. GOVERNEMENT ACQUISITIONS HP HARDWARE REPLACEMENT PLANNING SEE SCHEDULE BELOW FOR ITEM DESCRIPTION AND BLOCK 6, OF THIS FORM, FOR SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS AND POINT OF CONTACT. THE PROVISIONS OF THE USDA BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) NUMBER AG-3142-B-06-0035 AND GSA CONTRACT NUMBER GS-35F-0779J ARE APPLICABLE UNDER THE ORDER. SPREADSHEETS WITH COMPUTER DESCRIPTION, TYPE AND SPECS ATTACHED.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-02-27. End: 2008-12-31.

What specific planning activities are included in this $18.7 million contract, and what are the expected deliverables?

The provided data is limited and does not detail the specific planning activities or deliverables for this $18.7 million contract. It is described as 'HP HARDWARE REPLACEMENT PLANNING.' Typically, such planning might include needs assessment, technology roadmapping, cost-benefit analysis of different hardware options, development of procurement strategies, and risk assessment related to hardware obsolescence. The deliverables would likely be reports, presentations, and strategic documents guiding future hardware acquisitions. Without further documentation, the precise scope and expected outputs remain undefined in the public record.

How does the $18.7 million cost for planning services compare to similar IT hardware replacement planning contracts within the federal government?

Benchmarking this $18.7 million contract for planning services is challenging without more specific details on the scope, duration, and deliverables. Planning contracts can vary significantly based on the size and complexity of the agency's IT infrastructure, the scope of hardware being considered (e.g., desktops, servers, network equipment), and the level of detail required. A contract of this magnitude for planning over approximately 10 months suggests a very comprehensive or large-scale replacement initiative. However, without comparable data points for similar planning efforts, a direct cost comparison is difficult. It is important to consider if this amount represents a reasonable investment for the strategic guidance it aims to provide.

What is the track record of Government Acquisitions Inc. in providing IT planning and procurement services to federal agencies?

Government Acquisitions Inc. (GAI) has a history of holding federal contracts, as indicated by its involvement in this award under existing GSA and USDA agreements. To assess their track record specifically for IT planning and procurement services, a deeper dive into their past performance on similar contracts would be necessary. This would involve reviewing contract performance reports, any past performance evaluations, and potentially seeking information on their experience with large-scale hardware replacement planning. The fact that they were awarded this contract suggests they met the agency's requirements based on their existing contract vehicles, but specific details on their success in delivering IT planning services are not readily available from the provided data.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a large planning contract like this, and how might they be mitigated?

A significant risk with large planning contracts is that the planning itself may not lead to effective or cost-efficient outcomes. This could manifest as the planning phase being too theoretical, not aligning with the agency's actual needs, or failing to identify the most suitable hardware solutions. Another risk is scope creep, where the planning activities expand beyond the original intent, leading to cost overruns or delays. Mitigation strategies include clearly defining the scope of work, establishing measurable deliverables and key performance indicators (KPIs), ensuring strong government oversight throughout the planning process, and conducting thorough reviews of the contractor's proposed plans and recommendations before committing to subsequent procurement actions.

How does this contract fit into the Forest Service's broader IT modernization or hardware refresh strategy?

This contract for HP hardware replacement planning is likely a component of the Forest Service's ongoing efforts to modernize its IT infrastructure and ensure its hardware is current, supported, and capable of meeting operational demands. Federal agencies, including the Forest Service, face continuous challenges with aging IT assets, security vulnerabilities, and the need for enhanced performance. Planning contracts like this are crucial for developing a strategic roadmap that aligns technology investments with agency missions, optimizes spending, and ensures compliance with federal IT mandates. The specific focus on HP hardware suggests a particular refresh cycle or standardization effort within the agency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing › Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Contractor Details

Address: 231 W 4TH ST, CINCINNATI, OH, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,707,000

Exercised Options: $18,707,000

Current Obligation: $18,707,000

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0779J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline