Commerce's Census Bureau Spends $76.7M on EDDE Services with Metrostar Systems, Awarded via BPA Call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $76,668,811 ($76.7M)

Contractor: Metrostar Systems, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2017-09-28

End Date: 2023-09-22

Contract Duration: 2,185 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE DATA DISSEMINATION ENVIRONMENT (EDDE) SERVICES. IGF::OT::IGF HYBRID T&M AND FIXED PRICE CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $76.7 million to METROSTAR SYSTEMS, LLC for work described as: ENTERPRISE DATA DISSEMINATION ENVIRONMENT (EDDE) SERVICES. IGF::OT::IGF HYBRID T&M AND FIXED PRICE CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Metrostar Systems, LLC for Enterprise Data Dissemination Environment (EDDE) Services. 2. The contract value is $76.7 million over a period of 2185 days. 3. Competition was conducted under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). 4. The NAICS code 541512 indicates Computer Systems Design Services. 5. The contract type is a hybrid T&M and Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract utilizes a hybrid T&M and Fixed Price structure, which can be effective for services with evolving scopes. The total award value of $76.7 million appears reasonable for a multi-year IT service contract of this nature, though a direct per-unit cost comparison is difficult without more granular data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting it was likely a limited competition or set-aside for small businesses, though the awardee is not identified as an SMB. This method can lead to less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for IT services supporting data dissemination, with the cost reflecting the complexity and duration of the required services.

Public Impact

Ensures the U.S. Census Bureau can effectively disseminate critical data to the public and stakeholders. Supports the infrastructure necessary for data analysis and reporting, impacting various government functions. The contract's duration of nearly six years suggests a long-term need for these services. Potential impact on data accessibility and timeliness depending on service provider performance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Hybrid contract type may lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Competition under SAP might limit price discovery.
Contract duration is long, increasing risk exposure.

Positive Signals

Supports critical data dissemination functions for the Census Bureau.
Awarded to a single vendor, potentially allowing for specialized expertise.
Contract has a defined period of performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Spending benchmarks for similar IT services contracts vary widely based on scope, duration, and complexity, but $76.7 million over nearly six years for enterprise data dissemination services is substantial.

Small Business Impact

While the contract was competed under SAP, the awardee, Metrostar Systems, LLC, is not identified as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-asides were considered or if this represents a missed opportunity for SMB participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's oversight would primarily fall under the Department of Commerce and the U.S. Census Bureau. Accountability for performance and cost management rests with the contracting officers and program managers responsible for the EDDE services.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Commerce Contracting
U.S. Census Bureau Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep in T&M components.
Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Long contract duration increases long-term risk exposure.
Vendor lock-in potential due to specialized services.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $76.7 million to METROSTAR SYSTEMS, LLC. ENTERPRISE DATA DISSEMINATION ENVIRONMENT (EDDE) SERVICES. IGF::OT::IGF HYBRID T&M AND FIXED PRICE CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METROSTAR SYSTEMS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $76.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-28. End: 2023-09-22.

What specific metrics are used to evaluate the performance of Metrostar Systems, LLC in providing EDDE services, and how do these align with the Census Bureau's data dissemination goals?

Performance metrics likely focus on system uptime, data accuracy, processing speed, and adherence to security protocols. These metrics should directly correlate with the Census Bureau's mission to provide timely and reliable data. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms are crucial for ensuring the vendor meets these objectives and that taxpayer investment yields the desired outcomes in data accessibility and integrity.

Given the hybrid T&M and Fixed Price nature of the contract, what controls are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns on the Time & Materials portion?

Effective controls include clearly defined task orders with estimated hours, stringent approval processes for exceeding estimated hours, regular budget reviews, and potentially cost ceilings or award-fee structures tied to performance. Robust project management and continuous monitoring by the government are essential to ensure the T&M component remains within reasonable bounds and delivers value without escalating costs beyond initial expectations.

How does the EDDE service provided by Metrostar Systems, LLC contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. Census Bureau's operations?

The EDDE is crucial for enabling the Census Bureau to process, manage, and distribute vast amounts of data efficiently. Its effectiveness directly impacts the timeliness and accessibility of demographic and economic information for policymakers, researchers, and the public. A well-functioning EDDE streamlines operations, reduces manual effort, and ensures data integrity, thereby enhancing the Bureau's overall mission accomplishment.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1856 OLD RESTON AVE STE 100, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $77,307,991

Exercised Options: $77,098,787

Current Obligation: $76,668,811

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $1,575,485

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCYA132315BU0041

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline