Commerce Department's $121.5M Fingerprint Operations contract awarded to INDRASOFT INC. shows strong competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $121,471,697 ($121.5M)

Contractor: Indrasoft Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2017-11-21

End Date: 2021-11-17

Contract Duration: 1,457 days

Daily Burn Rate: $83.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FINGERPRINT OPERATIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $121.5 million to INDRASOFT INC. for work described as: FINGERPRINT OPERATIONS. Key points: 1. The contract's value of $121.5 million over its duration suggests a significant investment in fingerprint operations. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract likely benefited from robust market engagement. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type indicates a clear understanding of scope and cost expectations. 4. The contract duration of 1457 days (approximately 4 years) allows for sustained service delivery. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to a focus on specialized computer-related services. 6. The award was made as a BPA Call, suggesting it was part of a larger pre-competed agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the value of this $121.5 million contract requires comparison to similar large-scale biometric data management or fingerprint processing contracts. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, the pricing is expected to be well-defined. The value proposition hinges on the efficiency and accuracy of the fingerprint operations provided, which are critical for various government functions. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award suggests a reasonable market price was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 2 bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific award, which is generally positive for price discovery and innovation. A higher number of bidders might have been expected for a contract of this magnitude, but the 'full and open' designation ensures a broad market was considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, even with two bidders, generally leads to better pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards. It ensures that the government receives competitive offers, driving down costs and potentially improving service quality.

Public Impact

The U.S. Census Bureau benefits from enhanced fingerprint operations, crucial for data integrity and security. Services delivered likely include the collection, processing, storage, and analysis of fingerprint data. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting federal agency needs across the United States. Workforce implications may include specialized roles in data management, IT support, and forensic analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively procured.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical fingerprint data operations could pose a risk.
Ensuring data security and privacy compliance throughout the contract lifecycle is paramount.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent procurement process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration allows for stable service provision and potential for long-term relationship building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on specialized computer-related services (NAICS 541519). The market for biometric and identity management solutions is growing, driven by increasing security needs across government and commercial sectors. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large federal contracts for identity solutions, data management platforms, or specialized IT support services. The U.S. Census Bureau's need for robust fingerprint operations aligns with broader federal initiatives for identity verification and national security.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded under full and open competition, there is potential for subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within INDRASOFT INC.'s performance. However, the primary awardee is a significant entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on the subcontracting plan and execution.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Census Bureau's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the public award data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Federal Biometric Identity Management Programs
U.S. Census Bureau IT Modernization Efforts
Department of Commerce Information Technology Services
National Security Agency (NSA) Data Management Contracts
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Identity Solutions

Risk Flags

Sensitive Data Handling
Contractor Performance Risk
Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
Potential for Scope Creep (if not managed tightly)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $121.5 million to INDRASOFT INC.. FINGERPRINT OPERATIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INDRASOFT INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Census Bureau).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $121.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-11-21. End: 2021-11-17.

What is the track record of INDRASOFT INC. in performing large-scale federal IT contracts, particularly those involving sensitive data like fingerprints?

INDRASOFT INC. has a history of performing various IT services for federal agencies. Assessing their track record specifically for large-scale fingerprint operations requires a deeper dive into past performance evaluations and contract close-out reports. While the award itself indicates they met the criteria for this contract, detailed reviews of their performance on similar sensitive data contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability. Information on past performance, client satisfaction, and any documented issues would be crucial for a thorough assessment.

How does the per-unit cost or cost-effectiveness of this contract compare to similar fingerprint processing services procured by other federal agencies?

A direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging without specific metrics on the volume of fingerprint data processed or the exact services rendered per unit. However, the contract's firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the pricing was established based on anticipated volumes and service levels. Benchmarking against other agencies' biometric contracts would involve analyzing the scope of work, technology used, and contract duration. The fact that it was competitively awarded suggests the pricing is likely aligned with market rates, but a detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing outcomes (e.g., accuracy, speed, security) against expenditure would be needed for a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential data breaches or security vulnerabilities given the sensitive nature of fingerprint data, contractor performance issues leading to delays or subpar service quality, and potential cost overruns if the fixed-price model does not adequately account for unforeseen complexities. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust security protocols, regular performance monitoring by the contracting agency, clear contract terms and deliverables, and contingency planning. The U.S. Census Bureau would have oversight mechanisms to identify and address these risks throughout the contract lifecycle.

How effective has the U.S. Census Bureau been in managing similar large IT contracts, and what does this imply for the success of the INDRASOFT INC. contract?

The effectiveness of the U.S. Census Bureau in managing large IT contracts can be assessed through various indicators, including contract performance reviews, timely delivery of services, and adherence to budget. Past performance data on similar contracts managed by the Bureau would provide insight. A history of successful contract management suggests a higher likelihood of success for this fingerprint operations contract. Conversely, challenges in previous large IT procurements might indicate potential areas of concern that require closer monitoring for this specific award.

What has been the historical spending trend for fingerprint operations or related biometric services by the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau?

Analyzing historical spending on fingerprint operations and related biometric services by the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau would reveal trends in investment and reliance on such technologies. This $121.5 million contract represents a significant expenditure, suggesting a sustained or increased focus on these capabilities. Understanding past spending patterns can help contextualize the current award, identify potential growth areas, or flag any unusual deviations from historical investment levels, providing a basis for evaluating the long-term strategic importance of these services.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ON Assignment, Inc.

Address: 1768 BUSINESS CTR DR STE 200, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $121,471,697

Exercised Options: $121,471,697

Current Obligation: $121,471,697

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 39

Total Subaward Amount: $671,581,373

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCYA132315BU0044

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline