Forest Service awards $30.1M for specialized software and services to Glacier Technologies LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,150,679 ($30.2M)

Contractor: Glacier Technologies LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2010-10-01

End Date: 2014-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR SPECIAL SOFTWARE AND SERVICES OPTION (SRRO) FOR THE USDA FOREST SERVICE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICE (CIO).

Place of Performance

Location: EL PASO, EL PASO County, TEXAS, 79925

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $30.2 million to GLACIER TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR SPECIAL SOFTWARE AND SERVICES OPTION (SRRO) FOR THE USDA FOREST SERVICE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICE (CIO). Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 4 years (1460 days) indicates a need for sustained support. 3. The award to Glacier Technologies LLC, a Texas-based firm, highlights regional supplier engagement. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty. 5. The procurement falls under the 'Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers' NAICS code, indicating a focus on IT hardware and software. 6. The contract was awarded under the 'Other' agency category, suggesting it may not fit neatly into standard defense or civilian agency classifications.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $30.15 million over four years averages to approximately $7.54 million per year. Without specific benchmarks for 'Special Software and Services Option (SRRO)' for the USDA Forest Service CIO, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the contract was competed, which generally aids in price discovery. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of services and software provided to similar government or commercial contracts to determine if the pricing is competitive.

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,' which is a form of full and open competition. This implies that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 6 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized software and services requirement. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition procurement. The six bids indicate that taxpayer funds were used efficiently by soliciting multiple offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the USDA Forest Service Chief Information Office (CIO), which receives specialized software and services. The services delivered are crucial for the IT operations and infrastructure of the Forest Service. The geographic impact is national, supporting the IT needs of a federal agency with a broad operational footprint. Workforce implications include potential support for IT professionals within the Forest Service and employment opportunities for Glacier Technologies LLC staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the specialized software is proprietary and difficult to replace.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical software and services could pose a risk if the vendor experiences financial instability or operational issues.
The effectiveness of the 'special software' in meeting the Forest Service's evolving IT needs requires ongoing monitoring.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration suggests a stable, long-term relationship for essential IT support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on specialized software and related services. The market for IT services and software procurement by federal agencies is substantial, with agencies like the USDA Forest Service relying heavily on technology for their operations. Benchmarks for similar IT service contracts can vary widely based on complexity, duration, and specific technologies involved. The 'Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers' NAICS code suggests a focus on the distribution and provision of these goods and services.

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 or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The award went to Glacier Technologies LLC, and its size status relative to small business definitions is not specified in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the USDA Forest Service CIO's office, which is the contracting activity's customer. Contract performance would be monitored through regular reporting, performance reviews, and adherence to the terms and conditions of the firm-fixed-price contract. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

USDA Forest Service IT Modernization Programs
Federal Civilian Agency IT Services Contracts
Software Licensing and Maintenance Agreements
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' criteria.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.
Dependence on specialized software could create future transition challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $30.2 million to GLACIER TECHNOLOGIES LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROCUREMENT IS TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR SPECIAL SOFTWARE AND SERVICES OPTION (SRRO) FOR THE USDA FOREST SERVICE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICE (CIO).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLACIER TECHNOLOGIES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-10-01. End: 2014-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'Special Software and Services Option (SRRO)' being procured?

The provided data indicates the procurement is for 'Special Software and Services Option (SRRO)' for the USDA Forest Service Chief Information Office (CIO). However, the exact nature, functionality, and purpose of this specialized software and associated services are not detailed in the provided summary data. This could range from custom application development, specialized data management tools, unique IT infrastructure support, or specific operational software critical to the Forest Service's mission. Further investigation into the contract's statement of work (SOW) or detailed description would be necessary to understand the specific technical requirements and intended use of the SRRO.

How does the $30.15 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar IT services by the Forest Service or other USDA agencies?

Without access to historical spending data for comparable IT services within the USDA Forest Service or broader USDA, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $30.15 million over four years represents an average annual expenditure of approximately $7.54 million. This figure should be benchmarked against the agency's overall IT budget and spending on similar software and services contracts. Factors such as the criticality of the software, the number of users, and the complexity of the services will influence whether this amount is considered high or low relative to industry standards and agency needs. A review of past Forest Service IT procurements of similar scope and duration would provide a more robust comparison.

What is Glacier Technologies LLC's track record with federal IT contracts, particularly with the USDA or Forest Service?

The provided data identifies Glacier Technologies LLC as the contractor for this $30.15 million award. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts, specifically looking for prior awards from the USDA or Forest Service. Key aspects to review would include contract values, types of services rendered, performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. A positive performance history with similar agencies or for comparable IT services would indicate a lower risk associated with this current award.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided summary data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for IT software and services contracts, these would outline measurable standards for performance, availability, response times, and issue resolution. The USDA Forest Service CIO would have established these metrics to ensure the contractor, Glacier Technologies LLC, meets the required operational standards. The effectiveness of the contract's value is directly tied to the contractor's adherence to these performance benchmarks, which would be monitored throughout the contract's duration.

What is the potential risk associated with the 'exclusion of sources' mentioned in the contract type, even though it's under full and open competition?

The contract type is 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' While this still falls under full and open competition, the 'exclusion of sources' implies that certain potential sources were deliberately excluded from bidding, likely due to specific requirements or pre-qualification criteria. This could be for reasons such as security clearances, specialized certifications, or prior experience with specific technologies. While not inherently negative, it means the competition, though open to all *eligible* sources, was not universally open to *all* potential sources. The risk lies in whether these exclusions unnecessarily limited competition, potentially leading to higher prices or fewer innovative solutions than if all sources had been considered.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Wholesale Trade › Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers › Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Bristol BAY Native Corporation (UEI: 060036357)

Address: 1200 GOLDEN KEY CIR STE 400, EL PASO, TX, 16

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Federally Funded Research and Development Corp, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,150,679

Exercised Options: $30,150,679

Current Obligation: $30,150,679

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AG7604C100001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline