GSA's $358M IT services contract with CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC awarded in 2002, spanning 7 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $357,998,937 ($358.0M)

Contractor: Csra Systems & Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2002-09-15

End Date: 2009-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,572 days

Daily Burn Rate: $139.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $358.0 million to CSRA SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract's value of $358 million over seven years suggests a significant investment in IT services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not fully detailed, but it was awarded as a competitive delivery order. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, given the long duration and substantial value, requiring diligent oversight. 4. Performance context is tied to computer systems design services, a critical area for federal operations. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the IT services domain, supporting federal agency needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific service details and comparable contract data from the early 2000s. The total award amount of $358 million over seven years averages to approximately $51 million annually, which could be reasonable for large-scale IT support. However, without knowing the specific services rendered and their market rates at the time, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. The contract type (labor hours) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating that it was competed. The data specifies 'no' bidders, which is likely an error in the provided data as a competitive award implies multiple bidders. Assuming it was indeed competed, the level of competition would have influenced price discovery. A competitive process generally leads to better pricing for the government compared to sole-source awards.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, when effective, helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring computer systems design and related IT services are the primary beneficiaries. The contract delivers essential IT infrastructure and support services necessary for government operations. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal agencies across various locations. Workforce implications include the employment of IT professionals by CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep given the long contract duration and labor-hour pricing.
Ensuring consistent service quality and performance over a seven-year period can be challenging.
The 'no' bidders listed for a competitive order is a data anomaly requiring clarification.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Long-term contract provides stability and continuity for critical IT services.
The contract supports a core federal function (IT services).

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology (IT) sector is a cornerstone of modern government operations, encompassing a vast array of services from software development to network management. Federal IT spending represents a significant portion of the overall federal budget. Contracts like this one, for computer systems design services, are crucial for maintaining and upgrading the technological infrastructure that enables agencies to function. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT service contracts awarded by agencies like GSA, DoD, and others during the same period.

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 specifically related to small business set-asides for this particular award. The impact on the small business ecosystem would be indirect, potentially through prime contractor subcontracting opportunities if CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC chose to engage small businesses, which is not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service. Mechanisms would include regular performance reviews, contract management reviews, and potentially audits. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics and service level agreements defined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance data may be less accessible.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Systems Design
Federal Civilian IT Spending
GSA IT Contracts
Information Technology Professional Services

Risk Flags

Data Anomaly: 'no' bidders listed for a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER'.
Long Contract Duration: Potential for technological obsolescence and scope creep.
Labor Hour Pricing: Risk of cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $358.0 million to CSRA SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $358.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-09-15. End: 2009-09-30.

What specific IT services were provided under this contract?

The contract's North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541512, which corresponds to 'Computer Systems Design Services.' This typically includes services such as designing and developing integrated computer systems, providing IT consulting, and offering IT infrastructure management. However, without more granular details from the contract itself, the precise scope of services—whether it encompassed software development, hardware integration, network design, cybersecurity, or general IT support—remains unspecified in the provided summary data. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to fully assess the contract's performance and value.

How does the $358 million award compare to similar IT services contracts from the early 2000s?

Comparing the $358 million award to similar IT services contracts from the early 2000s requires context regarding the contract's duration and the specific services rendered. Awarded in 2002 with an end date of 2009 (a 7-year period), the average annual value was approximately $51 million. During that era, large federal IT procurements often reached hundreds of millions of dollars, especially for comprehensive system design and integration projects. For instance, major defense and civilian agencies were undertaking significant IT modernization efforts. Without knowing the exact deliverables and market rates for comparable services at that time, it's challenging to definitively state if $51 million annually was high or low, but it falls within the range of substantial IT service contracts awarded to large prime contractors during that period.

What were the primary risks associated with a 7-year IT services contract awarded in 2002?

A 7-year IT services contract awarded in 2002 carried several inherent risks. Technological obsolescence was a major concern; IT landscapes evolve rapidly, and systems designed early in the contract could be outdated by its end. Scope creep was another significant risk, especially with labor-hour contracts, where the scope of work could expand beyond initial expectations, leading to cost overruns. Contractor performance and quality assurance over such a long period required continuous monitoring. Furthermore, changes in agency priorities or federal IT policies could necessitate contract modifications or even termination. The long duration also meant a greater exposure to potential contractor instability or changes in their business focus.

What does the 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' designation imply about the procurement process?

The designation 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' implies that this contract was awarded through a competitive process, likely against a pre-existing indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar multiple-award contract vehicle. This means that multiple vendors were eligible to bid, and the government selected the best offer based on predefined criteria. A competitive award is generally favored as it promotes price discovery and ensures the government receives fair market value. However, the provided data stating 'no' bidders for this competitive order is contradictory and requires clarification, as a competitive process necessitates at least two bidders.

How did the General Services Administration (GSA) manage oversight for such a large IT contract?

The General Services Administration (GSA), through its Federal Acquisition Service (FAS), would have managed oversight for this contract. Oversight typically involves a Contracting Officer (CO) and potentially a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Responsibilities include monitoring contractor performance against contract requirements and service level agreements, approving invoices, managing contract modifications, and ensuring compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Regular performance reviews, site visits, and data analysis would be employed. The long duration necessitates proactive management to address potential issues like scope creep, performance degradation, or technological shifts before they significantly impact the government.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 15000 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $289,602,899

Exercised Options: $289,602,899

Current Obligation: $357,998,937

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00T99ALD0204

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline