USDA Forest Service awards $29.7M for Data Center Services Program Support to Glacier Technologies LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,707,299 ($29.7M)

Contractor: Glacier Technologies LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2014-11-24

End Date: 2020-05-30

Contract Duration: 2,014 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THIS TASK ORDER (TO) SERVES TO ISSUE A USDA FOREST SERVICE (FS) CONTRACT NUMBER AG-7604-D-15-0006. THIS TO IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AG-7604-C-10-0001. THE CONTRACT TYPE IS A TO FOR WORK ENTITLED DATA CENTER SERVICES (DCS) PROGRAM SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

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

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $29.7 million to GLACIER TECHNOLOGIES LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THIS TASK ORDER (TO) SERVES TO ISSUE A USDA FOREST SERVICE (FS) CONTRACT NUMBER AG-7604-D-15-0006. THIS TO IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AG-7604-C-10-0001. THE CONTRACT TYPE IS A TO FOR WORK ENTITLED DATA CENTER SERVICES (DCS) PROGRA… Key points: 1. The contract is a Task Order under a larger contract, indicating a specific need within the Forest Service. 2. Glacier Technologies LLC, a small business, is the awardee. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, providing cost certainty. 4. The period of performance spans over 5 years, from late 2014 to mid-2020.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount is $29.7 million over approximately 5.5 years. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts requires more granular data on specific services provided, but the overall value appears reasonable for the duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources'. This suggests an initial broad competition, followed by a specific exclusion, which might warrant further investigation into the rationale for exclusion and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price nature of the contract helps in predictable budgeting for taxpayers. The competition method, while seemingly open initially, could have implications if the exclusion narrowed the field significantly.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and support for critical USDA Forest Service data center services. Supports a small business prime contractor, potentially fostering growth and economic impact. The long performance period suggests a stable, ongoing requirement for these IT services. The contract's success relies on Glacier Technologies' ability to deliver consistent and reliable data center support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Rationale for 'Exclusion of Sources' needs clarification to ensure full competition.
Potential for vendor lock-in given the long-term nature of data center support.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Award to a small business aligns with federal procurement goals.
Task Order structure allows for specific, targeted support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on data center operations and support. Spending in this area is substantial across government agencies, with benchmarks varying widely based on the scope and complexity of services required.

Small Business Impact

Glacier Technologies LLC is identified as a small business. The contract is awarded directly to them, indicating they are the prime contractor. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of subcontracting to other small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The Task Order structure implies it's part of a larger contract, which may have its own oversight mechanisms. The 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' clause warrants scrutiny to ensure accountability and fairness in the procurement process.

Related Government Programs

Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of clarity on 'Exclusion of Sources' justification.
Potential for limited competition impacting price.
Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in.
Need for detailed service breakdown to perform accurate cost benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $29.7 million to GLACIER TECHNOLOGIES LLC. IGF::OT::IGF THIS TASK ORDER (TO) SERVES TO ISSUE A USDA FOREST SERVICE (FS) CONTRACT NUMBER AG-7604-D-15-0006. THIS TO IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AG-7604-C-10-0001. THE CONTRACT TYPE IS A TO FOR WORK ENTITLED DATA CENTER SERVICES (DCS) PROGRAM SUPPORT.

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 $29.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-11-24. End: 2020-05-30.

What specific data center services are included in this Task Order, and how do they align with the Forest Service's mission critical needs?

The Task Order is for 'Data Center Services (DCS) Program Support'. This likely encompasses a range of IT infrastructure management, maintenance, and operational support for the Forest Service's data centers. These services are crucial for maintaining the agency's IT systems, enabling data storage, processing, and accessibility, which are fundamental to supporting its diverse operations, from forest management to administrative functions.

What was the justification for excluding other sources after the initial full and open competition, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The provided data does not detail the specific justification for excluding sources after the initial full and open competition. Typically, such exclusions are based on factors like specialized capabilities, existing infrastructure integration, or specific socio-economic program requirements. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the exclusion limited price discovery or potentially led to a suboptimal price for the government.

How does the $29.7 million cost over five years compare to industry benchmarks for similar data center support services, considering the specific requirements of a federal agency?

Benchmarking this $29.7 million contract against industry standards requires a detailed breakdown of the services rendered (e.g., hardware maintenance, software support, cloud integration, cybersecurity). Federal contracts often include additional compliance and security overhead. While the price seems substantial, it may be competitive for comprehensive, long-term data center support within a regulated environment like the USDA Forest Service.

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: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

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, 79925

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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: $29,707,299

Exercised Options: $29,707,299

Current Obligation: $29,707,299

Actual Outlays: $1,965,768

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AG7604C100001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline