GSA awards $16.5M IT services contract to ACS Defense, LLC under competitive delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,554,947 ($16.6M)

Contractor: ACS Defense, LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2004-04-07

End Date: 2008-05-30

Contract Duration: 1,514 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: WITHIN GUIDELINES FO BOM/SOW

Place of Performance

Location: BURLINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01803

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $16.6 million to ACS DEFENSE, LLC for work described as: WITHIN GUIDELINES FO BOM/SOW Key points: 1. Contract value of $16.5M over 4 years represents a significant investment in IT services. 2. Competition dynamics appear strong with a competitive delivery order, potentially driving better pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a firm-fixed-price contract type generally favoring cost control. 4. Performance context is within guidelines for the base/scope of work, suggesting adherence to requirements. 5. Sector positioning is within 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category within the IT landscape.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16.5 million over approximately four years for IT services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar IT services contracts awarded by GSA or other agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government.

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 among multiple vendors. The presence of two bidders suggests a degree of competition, which is generally beneficial for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received would offer further insight into the strength of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with two bidders, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring 'Other Computer Related Services' are the primary beneficiaries. The contract delivers essential IT support and services to government operations. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting federal agencies across the US. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for IT professionals within ACS Defense, LLC and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly, despite firm-fixed-price.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT services could pose a risk if performance falters.
Limited visibility into the specific IT services provided without further detail on the SOW.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
Awarded under GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, suggesting adherence to established procurement processes.
Competitive award process indicates potential for good value and service quality.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broad 'Other Computer Related Services' category (NAICS 541519), which encompasses a wide range of IT support and consulting services. The IT services market is highly competitive and dynamic, with significant government spending. This contract represents a portion of the federal government's overall IT expenditure, likely supporting specific agency needs managed through GSA's procurement vehicles.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if ACS Defense, LLC chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type and the delivery order process. Transparency is generally facilitated by GSA's public contract databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

GSA MAS Contracts
IT Professional Services
Federal Civilian IT Spending
Defense IT Support Services

Risk Flags

Contract duration of over 4 years requires ongoing monitoring.
Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized.
Reliance on GSA's MAS schedule for competitive bidding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $16.6 million to ACS DEFENSE, LLC. WITHIN GUIDELINES FO BOM/SOW

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACS DEFENSE, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-04-07. End: 2008-05-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Computer Related Services' provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies the services under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' This is a broad category that can include a wide array of IT support, consulting, and related services not elsewhere classified. Without access to the specific Statement of Work (SOW) or Task Orders issued under this contract, the precise nature of the services remains undefined. These could range from IT help desk support, network management, cybersecurity consulting, software implementation, to data analysis and IT infrastructure support. Understanding the exact services is crucial for assessing performance, value, and relevance to agency needs.

How does the awarded price of $16.5 million compare to market rates for similar IT services?

Benchmarking the $16.5 million contract value against market rates for similar IT services requires detailed analysis of the specific services rendered, the labor categories involved, and the duration of the contract. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, the total value is fixed, but the underlying hourly or project rates are embedded within this total. Comparing this to industry benchmarks for IT support, consulting, or managed services, adjusted for contract size and duration, would be necessary. Factors like geographic location of service delivery, security clearance requirements, and the specific expertise needed would also influence market rates. Without these granular details, a precise comparison is challenging, but the competitive award suggests the pricing was deemed fair at the time of award.

What is the track record of ACS Defense, LLC in performing federal IT contracts?

Assessing the track record of ACS Defense, LLC requires examining their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those awarded by GSA or similar agencies. Key indicators include contract completion rates, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their experience with similar IT services. A review of federal procurement databases like FPDS or SAM.gov could reveal their award history, contract values, and agencies served. A strong track record with positive past performance reviews would indicate a lower risk for this current contract, while a history of issues might raise concerns about potential performance or delivery challenges.

What were the specific performance metrics or KPIs used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that were used to evaluate the success of this contract. Typically, for IT services contracts, KPIs might include metrics such as system uptime, response times for support requests, project completion milestones, adherence to security protocols, and user satisfaction. The contract's adherence to 'WITHIN GUIDELINES FO BOM/SOW' suggests that the contractor met the basic requirements outlined in the Base Order Modification/Scope of Work. However, detailed performance data and specific KPIs are usually documented in contract administration files and performance reports, which are not publicly detailed here.

How has federal spending on 'Other Computer Related Services' evolved over the years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) has generally trended upwards over the years, reflecting the increasing reliance of government agencies on technology and specialized IT support. This category often captures a diverse range of services that don't fit neatly into more specific IT categories like software development or network administration. This $16.5 million contract, awarded in 2004 and ending in 2008, represents a specific instance of this spending. Its size and duration place it as a moderately sized contract within the broader federal IT services landscape during that period. Analyzing historical spending trends for this NAICS code would provide context on the typical contract sizes and frequencies within this service area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 12410 MILESTONE CENTER DR STE 600, GERMANTOWN, MD, 06

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,554,947

Exercised Options: $16,554,947

Current Obligation: $16,554,947

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4039G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline