Department of Education's NSLDS contract awarded to BRIEFCASE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT INC for $68.3M over 6 years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $68,346,529 ($68.3M)
Contractor: Briefcase Systems Development Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Education
Start Date: 2014-09-29
End Date: 2020-03-28
Contract Duration: 2,007 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF"CRITICAL FUNCTIONS" NSLDS PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED VIEW OF TITLE IV LOANS AND GRANTS DURING ALL STAGES OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE FROM AID APPROVAL THROUGH DISBURSEMENT, REPAYMENT, DEFAULT, AND CLOSURE. THE THREE MAIN GOALS OF THE NSLDS ARE TO: 1. IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID DATA. 2. REDUCE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN OF TITLE IV AID. 3. MINIMIZE ABUSE WITHIN AID PROGRAMS BY ACCURATELY TRACKING FUNDS AWARDED TO ASSIST POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20020
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Education obligated $68.3 million to BRIEFCASE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT INC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF"CRITICAL FUNCTIONS" NSLDS PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED VIEW OF TITLE IV LOANS AND GRANTS DURING ALL STAGES OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE FROM AID APPROVAL THROUGH DISBURSEMENT, REPAYMENT, DEFAULT, AND CLOSURE. THE THREE MAIN GOALS OF THE NSLDS ARE TO: 1. IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND ACCE… Key points: 1. The contract supports critical functions for managing Title IV student financial aid. 2. It aims to improve data quality, reduce administrative burden, and minimize program abuse. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 5. The duration of the contract indicates a long-term need for these services. 6. The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is central to student financial aid operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $68.3 million over approximately six years represents a significant investment in student financial aid data management. Benchmarking this against similar IT services contracts for large-scale data systems is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty. The value appears reasonable given the critical and complex nature of managing the entire lifecycle of Title IV loans and grants.
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 bids were likely considered. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally suggests a competitive environment that should lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering price discovery and encouraging contractors to offer their best value.
Public Impact
Postsecondary students benefit from improved accessibility and quality of financial aid data. Educational institutions are supported through reduced administrative burdens in managing aid. The Department of Education gains enhanced capabilities for tracking funds and minimizing abuse. The contract impacts the administration of federal student financial aid programs nationwide. Workforce implications include IT professionals involved in system development and maintenance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if the system becomes highly specialized and difficult to transition.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical financial aid data management could pose a risk.
- Ensuring ongoing system security and data integrity is paramount given the sensitive nature of the data.
Positive Signals
- The contract supports a vital government function with clear objectives.
- Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services.
- The fixed-price contract type offers cost predictability.
- The long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need for the services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Custom Computer Programming Services sector, specifically related to large-scale government IT systems for financial data management. The market for such services is substantial, with numerous companies capable of developing and maintaining complex databases and applications. The Department of Education's NSLDS system is a cornerstone of federal student aid, requiring specialized expertise in data integration, security, and regulatory compliance. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT services procurements for other large federal agencies managing extensive citizen data.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While there's no direct information on subcontracting plans, large IT contracts often include provisions for small business participation. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests the primary award went to a larger entity, but opportunities may exist for small businesses to participate as subcontractors to BRIEFCASE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT INC.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of Education's program offices responsible for student financial assistance, likely supported by contracting officers and potentially the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for audits and investigations. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities may not be fully public.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Student Aid (FSA)
- Department of Education IT Modernization Efforts
- Student Loan Servicing Systems
- Grant Management Systems
- Financial Data Management Systems
Risk Flags
- Data Security Risk
- System Performance Risk
- Contractor Dependency Risk
- Technological Obsolescence Risk
Tags
it-services, custom-computer-programming, department-of-education, district-of-columbia, definitive-contract, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, student-financial-aid, data-management, nslds
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Education awarded $68.3 million to BRIEFCASE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT INC. IGF::CT::IGF"CRITICAL FUNCTIONS" NSLDS PROVIDES AN INTEGRATED VIEW OF TITLE IV LOANS AND GRANTS DURING ALL STAGES OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE FROM AID APPROVAL THROUGH DISBURSEMENT, REPAYMENT, DEFAULT, AND CLOSURE. THE THREE MAIN GOALS OF THE NSLDS ARE TO: 1. IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID DATA. 2. REDUCE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN OF TITLE IV AID. 3. MINIMIZE ABUSE WITHIN AID PROGRAMS BY ACCURATELY TRACKING FUNDS AWARDED TO ASSIST POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BRIEFCASE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $68.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-09-29. End: 2020-03-28.
What is the track record of BRIEFCASE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT INC with federal contracts, particularly in IT services?
BRIEFCASE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT INC has a history of federal contracting, with this specific contract for the NSLDS system being a significant award. Analyzing their broader contract portfolio would reveal their experience across different agencies and service types. Federal procurement data often shows patterns in performance ratings, past performance evaluations, and any disputes or terminations. A deeper dive into their contract history would clarify their reliability and expertise in delivering complex IT solutions, especially those involving sensitive financial data and critical government functions. Understanding their past performance on similar-sized or complex projects is crucial for assessing future performance risks.
How does the value of this contract compare to similar IT services for large-scale data management systems in the federal government?
The $68.3 million contract value over approximately six years for the NSLDS system is substantial, reflecting the complexity and criticality of managing federal student financial aid data. To benchmark effectively, one would compare it to other large IT system development and maintenance contracts awarded by agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Department of Defense for managing vast datasets. Factors such as the scope of services (development, maintenance, modernization), the number of users, data volume, security requirements, and contract type (fixed-price vs. cost-plus) heavily influence cost. Without detailed scope comparisons, direct value benchmarking is difficult, but the amount is consistent with major federal IT modernization initiatives.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), schedule delays, cybersecurity threats to sensitive student data, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies often involve robust contract management, performance monitoring, defined Service Level Agreements (SLAs), regular security audits, and contingency planning. The Department of Education would have oversight mechanisms to track progress, ensure compliance, and address any emerging issues promptly. The long-term nature of the contract also presents a risk of technological obsolescence if not managed proactively through modernization clauses or regular reviews.
How effective has the NSLDS system been in achieving its stated goals of improving data quality, reducing administrative burden, and minimizing abuse?
The effectiveness of the NSLDS system in achieving its goals is primarily measured by the Department of Education's internal performance metrics and program reviews. Anecdotal evidence and reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the Department's Inspector General (OIG) can provide insights. Improvements in data accuracy, reductions in processing times for aid applications, and a decrease in documented instances of fraud or abuse would indicate success. The continuous operation and evolution of the NSLDS system suggest it remains a vital tool, but ongoing assessments are necessary to confirm its sustained effectiveness in a dynamic financial aid landscape.
What are the historical spending patterns for the NSLDS system or similar student financial aid data management functions within the Department of Education?
Historical spending on the NSLDS system and related functions would likely show a consistent, significant investment over many years, reflecting the enduring nature of federal student aid programs. Spending may have increased over time due to system modernization efforts, expanded data requirements, and evolving technological needs. Analyzing past contract awards for NSLDS maintenance, upgrades, or replacements would reveal trends in annual expenditures and the types of services procured. This historical context helps in understanding the long-term financial commitment and the evolution of the system's capabilities and costs.
What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader IT services market, particularly for companies specializing in government financial systems?
This contract represents a significant opportunity for BRIEFCASE SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT INC and potentially its subcontractors, reinforcing their position in the government IT services sector, especially within financial management systems. For the broader market, it highlights the continued demand for robust, secure, and scalable IT solutions for managing large federal datasets. It may also influence market trends by setting benchmarks for contract value, performance expectations, and technological approaches in similar procurements. Companies competing for future contracts in this space will need to demonstrate comparable expertise and competitive pricing.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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: TWO STEP
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 731 PARRISH FARM LN, GREAT FALLS, VA, 22066
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $79,038,314
Exercised Options: $68,346,529
Current Obligation: $68,346,529
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-09-29
Current End Date: 2020-03-28
Potential End Date: 2020-03-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-22
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