NOAA's $56.8M IT Support Contract Awarded to Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,848,623 ($56.8M)

Contractor: Cyberdata Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2012-09-13

End Date: 2017-09-16

Contract Duration: 1,829 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF IT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: GERMANTOWN, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20874

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $56.8 million to CYBERDATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF IT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $56.8 million over five years indicates significant investment in IT support. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. secured this contract, highlighting its position in the federal IT services market. 4. The contract duration of 1829 days (approx. 5 years) provides a stable period for service delivery. 5. NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) categorizes the broad scope of IT support required. 6. The contract type (Delivery Order) suggests it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 7. The base contract value is substantial, requiring careful monitoring of performance and cost.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $56.8 million over approximately five years for IT support services appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts within NOAA and other federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The pricing structure, likely time and materials, necessitates close oversight to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate beyond market rates for comparable services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple bidders were allowed to submit proposals. The presence of four bids (no) suggests a moderate level of competition. While not a sole-source award, the specific exclusion of sources might warrant further investigation to understand if it limited the competitive landscape unnecessarily.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards. The fact that multiple companies bid means taxpayer dollars are likely being used more efficiently.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) benefits from consistent and reliable IT support services. Federal employees within NOAA will have access to the necessary technological infrastructure and support to perform their duties. The contract supports IT infrastructure and services primarily within Maryland (st: MD, sn: MARYLAND). The contract likely supports a workforce of IT professionals employed by Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. and potentially subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if time and materials basis is not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT support could pose a risk if performance falters.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants review to ensure it did not unduly restrict competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Contract duration provides stability for service delivery and planning.
Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. has secured a significant federal contract, suggesting a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on IT support. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. This contract represents a portion of NOAA's overall IT spending, contributing to the operational efficiency of a key scientific and environmental agency. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing IT support contracts across agencies of similar size and mission.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a specific set-aside requirement. However, the prime contractor, Cyberdata Technologies, Inc., may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of its overall business strategy, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by contracting officers and program managers within NOAA. Performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) outlined in the contract would be used to monitor Cyberdata Technologies, Inc.'s performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS-NG. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Civilian IT Modernization
NOAA IT Infrastructure Support
Cybersecurity Services Contracts
Cloud Computing Services
Data Center Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing.
Performance risk associated with reliance on a single contractor.
Need for ongoing monitoring of service level agreements (SLAs).
Ensuring continued competition for future task orders under the IDIQ vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $56.8 million to CYBERDATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF IT SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CYBERDATA TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $56.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-09-13. End: 2017-09-16.

What is Cyberdata Technologies, Inc.'s track record with federal IT support contracts?

Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. has a history of securing federal contracts, including those related to IT support. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly with agencies like NOAA or other scientific/environmental organizations, would provide insight into their reliability and capability. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes on previous federal awards can help assess their suitability for this ongoing contract. Their ability to consistently meet or exceed performance metrics on prior engagements is a key indicator of their potential success here.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar IT support contracts within NOAA or other federal agencies?

The $56.8 million awarded to Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. for IT support over approximately five years represents a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to IT support contracts of similar scope, duration, and service requirements awarded by NOAA or other federal agencies (e.g., Department of the Interior, NASA, NSF) during the same period. Factors such as the number of users supported, the complexity of the IT environment, and the specific services included (help desk, network management, system administration) are crucial for a fair comparison. Without specific benchmark data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but the competitive award process suggests a reasonable market price was achieved.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential cost overruns due to the time and materials (T&M) pricing structure, which requires diligent oversight to ensure efficiency and prevent scope creep. Performance degradation or failure to meet service level agreements (SLAs) is another risk, potentially impacting NOAA's operations. Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT functions can also be a risk. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management, regular performance reviews, clear communication channels, and potentially contingency planning for service continuity. The competitive nature of the award itself serves as an initial risk mitigation by selecting a vendor deemed capable.

How effective has Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. been in delivering IT support services under this contract?

Assessing the effectiveness of Cyberdata Technologies, Inc. in delivering IT support services under this specific contract would require access to performance reports, customer satisfaction surveys, and any formal evaluations conducted by NOAA. Without this direct performance data, effectiveness can only be inferred from the contract's continuation and the absence of major reported issues. A thorough analysis would involve examining metrics such as uptime, response times, resolution rates, and adherence to SLAs. The fact that this is a delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ suggests that performance is being monitored, and continued orders imply satisfactory delivery to date.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT support services at NOAA?

Historical spending patterns for IT support services at NOAA would reveal trends in investment in this area over time. Analyzing past contracts, their values, durations, and the types of services procured can indicate whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing. This context is vital for understanding if the current $56.8 million award aligns with historical investment levels or represents a significant shift. Such analysis could also highlight which IT support functions have received the most funding and identify any recurring challenges or successes in managing these services over multiple contract cycles.

What is the significance of the 'Delivery Order' contract type in this context?

The 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) designation indicates that this contract is likely a task order issued under a broader Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. This structure allows agencies to procure services incrementally as needed, providing flexibility. For NOAA, it means they can order IT support services up to a certain ceiling amount over the contract's period of performance. This approach is common for services that have fluctuating demands or are part of a larger, multi-year IT strategy, enabling efficient resource allocation and management.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 455 SPRINGPARK PL STE 300, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,848,623

Exercised Options: $56,848,623

Current Obligation: $56,848,623

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCDG133W10CQ0028

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline