Deloitte Consulting LLP awarded $9.8M for IT Certification and Accreditation Support Services by the U.S. Census Bureau

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,851,356 ($9.9M)

Contractor: Deloitte Consulting LLP

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2007-03-29

End Date: 2011-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,463 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT CERTIFICATION AND ACCCREDITATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $9.9 million to DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP for work described as: IT CERTIFICATION AND ACCCREDITATION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded at a competitive price point, suggesting good value. 2. Multiple bidders participated, indicating a healthy level of market competition. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks. 4. Services align with essential IT security functions for federal agencies. 5. Contract duration of nearly four years provides stability for service delivery. 6. Geographic concentration in Maryland may indicate regional IT support hubs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $9.8 million over approximately four years appears reasonable for IT Certification and Accreditation Support Services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized IT security functions is challenging without more granular data on service scope and complexity. However, the fixed-price nature of the award suggests the government secured a defined scope of work at a set cost, which is generally favorable for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a competitive process, with three bidders participating. The full and open competition indicates that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, which typically drives more competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value solution. The presence of three bidders suggests a reasonable level of market interest and capability for these specialized IT services.

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 scenario.

Public Impact

The U.S. Census Bureau benefits from enhanced IT security and compliance. Services ensure the integrity and accreditation of critical IT systems. Workforce in Maryland may see indirect benefits through IT support sector activity. Federal IT infrastructure security is strengthened, protecting sensitive data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and not easily transferable.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT accreditation could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty.
Competitive award process suggests a well-vetted and reasonably priced solution.
Contract duration allows for consistent service delivery and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a vital component of the federal IT landscape. This sector encompasses a wide range of services, including IT security, system integration, and accreditation support. The U.S. Census Bureau's need for these services highlights the ongoing demand for robust cybersecurity and compliance measures within federal agencies. Spending in this area is substantial across government, reflecting the increasing complexity and criticality of federal IT systems.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the award to a large firm like Deloitte Consulting LLP, it is possible that small businesses may be involved as subcontractors, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

As a competitive delivery order, this contract likely falls under the general oversight of the U.S. Census Bureau's contracting and program management offices. The fixed-price nature provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of performance metrics and any post-award modifications. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

IT Security Services
Cybersecurity Support
Federal IT Modernization
Cloud Computing Services
Data Center Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly under fixed-price.
Reliance on contractor expertise for critical security functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $9.9 million to DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP. IT CERTIFICATION AND ACCCREDITATION SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-29. End: 2011-03-31.

What specific IT systems or applications were covered by this Certification and Accreditation support?

The provided data does not specify the exact IT systems or applications covered by the Certification and Accreditation (C&A) support services. C&A is a process used to ensure that IT systems meet security requirements before they are authorized to operate. This typically involves assessing risks, implementing security controls, and documenting compliance with federal standards like FISMA. The U.S. Census Bureau operates a vast array of IT systems supporting data collection, processing, and dissemination, so the scope could range from enterprise-wide infrastructure to specific mission-critical applications.

How does the awarded price compare to industry benchmarks for similar C&A services?

Directly comparing the awarded price of $9.8 million over approximately four years to industry benchmarks for C&A services is difficult without more granular details on the scope, complexity, and specific services rendered. Factors such as the number of systems accredited, the level of security required (e.g., FIPS 199 impact levels), the specific security controls implemented, and the duration/intensity of the support all influence pricing. However, given the competitive nature of the award and the fixed-price structure, it suggests the government sought to achieve a cost-effective solution within the market's capabilities for these specialized IT security functions.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate contractor performance?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Deloitte Consulting LLP's performance under this contract. Typically, for C&A support services, KPIs might include metrics related to the timeliness of accreditation package development, the accuracy and completeness of security documentation, the effectiveness of risk assessments, adherence to security control implementation timelines, and overall compliance with federal security mandates. Performance evaluations are crucial for ensuring the government receives the intended value and maintains the security posture of its IT systems.

What is the historical spending trend for IT Certification and Accreditation support at the U.S. Census Bureau?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award from 2007 to 2011. To understand the historical spending trend for IT Certification and Accreditation (C&A) support at the U.S. Census Bureau, a broader analysis of contract data over multiple years would be necessary. This would involve searching for other C&A-related contracts awarded by the agency, examining their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Such an analysis could reveal patterns of increasing or decreasing investment in C&A services, shifts in contracting strategies, or changes in the types of services procured.

Were there any significant challenges or risks identified during the contract performance period?

The provided summary data does not explicitly list any significant challenges or risks encountered during the performance of this contract. However, common risks in IT C&A support can include evolving threat landscapes requiring continuous adaptation of security measures, delays in system documentation or testing, difficulties in achieving accreditation due to complex system interdependencies, or changes in federal security regulations. The fixed-price nature of this contract would have incentivized the contractor to manage these risks proactively to maintain profitability.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Deloitte LLP

Address: 4301 N FAIRFAX DR STE 210, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,990,000

Exercised Options: $9,851,356

Current Obligation: $9,851,356

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4338D

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline