DoD's $2.66M Enterprise Architecture Support Contract Awarded to Solutions Through Innovative Technologies Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,657,433 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Solutions Through Innovative Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2020-08-15

End Date: 2025-08-14

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE SUPPORT FOR USSTRATCOM J6E

Place of Performance

Location: OFFUTT AFB, SARPY County, NEBRASKA, 68113

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.7 million to SOLUTIONS THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE SUPPORT FOR USSTRATCOM J6E Key points: 1. Contract provides essential enterprise architecture support for USSTRATCOM J6E. 2. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type aims to control costs for defined work. 4. Contract duration of 1825 days suggests a long-term need for these services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement. 7. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.66 million over five years for enterprise architecture support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services required by USSTRATCOM. Benchmarking against similar contracts for strategic command support is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the fixed-price contract type suggests an effort to manage costs, and the level of effort should provide a basis for evaluating value for money once performance data is available. The absence of a specific price per unit makes direct cost comparison challenging.

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,' which implies that while the competition was generally open, specific sources may have been excluded for documented reasons. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment was intended. This approach typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process like this generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring the government receives services from the most capable and cost-effective provider available.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) J6E, which receives critical support for its enterprise architecture. Services delivered include the development, maintenance, and enhancement of the command's enterprise architecture. The geographic impact is centered around USSTRATCOM's operational areas, primarily supporting its mission readiness and information technology infrastructure. Workforce implications may involve specialized IT and engineering professionals contributing to national security objectives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the 'level of effort' is not strictly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical enterprise architecture functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants scrutiny to ensure it was justified and did not unduly limit competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
Long contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for contractor expertise development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to IT and defense support. The market for enterprise architecture support is specialized, often involving firms with deep expertise in defense IT systems and strategic planning. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without detailed scope comparisons, but IT support for major defense commands represents a significant segment of federal IT spending. This contract contributes to the broader ecosystem of defense IT modernization and strategic planning efforts.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The prime contractor, Solutions Through Innovative Technologies Inc., is likely a mid-to-large-sized business. The absence of set-asides means opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract are limited unless they are part of the prime contractor's supply chain or team.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of the Air Force, overseeing the contract for USSTRATCOM J6E. Accountability measures are embedded in the fixed-price level of effort structure, requiring the contractor to deliver defined services within agreed-upon parameters. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

USSTRATCOM IT Support Services
Department of Defense Enterprise Architecture Initiatives
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Contracts
Strategic Command IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Performance monitoring complexity for 'level of effort' contracts.
Reliance on contractor for critical strategic IT functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.7 million to SOLUTIONS THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC. ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE SUPPORT FOR USSTRATCOM J6E

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOLUTIONS THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-15. End: 2025-08-14.

What is the specific nature of the enterprise architecture support required by USSTRATCOM J6E under this contract?

The contract specifies 'ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE SUPPORT FOR USSTRATCOM J6E.' This generally entails services related to the planning, design, implementation, and management of the command's IT systems and infrastructure to ensure they align with strategic goals and operational requirements. This can include developing reference models, defining standards, analyzing current architectures, and planning future states to improve interoperability, security, and efficiency. The fixed-price level of effort structure suggests a defined scope of work with specific deliverables or hours allocated for these architectural services.

How does the pricing of this $2.66 million contract compare to similar enterprise architecture support contracts within the Department of Defense?

Direct comparison of this $2.66 million contract value is challenging without detailed scope and duration information for comparable contracts. However, enterprise architecture support for major commands like USSTRATCOM is a complex and critical function, often requiring specialized expertise. The five-year duration (1825 days) suggests an average annual value of approximately $531,000. This figure needs to be assessed against the specific deliverables and the contractor's proposed labor mix and rates. Given the strategic importance and specialized nature, this value appears within a plausible range for such services, assuming the scope is adequately defined and managed.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to assess the contractor's performance and ensure value for money?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not publicly detailed. However, for a Fixed Price Level of Effort (FPLE) contract, performance is typically measured against the successful completion of defined tasks, adherence to schedules, and meeting quality standards outlined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). Value for money is assessed by ensuring the contractor delivers the required architectural support effectively and efficiently within the allocated effort and budget. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would monitor progress and deliverables, providing feedback and ensuring the government receives the intended benefits of the enterprise architecture support.

What is the track record of Solutions Through Innovative Technologies Inc. in providing similar enterprise architecture or defense IT support services?

Solutions Through Innovative Technologies Inc. (STI-TEC) has a history of providing various IT and engineering services to government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While specific details on their enterprise architecture support for commands like USSTRATCOM require deeper investigation into their past performance reports and contract history, STI-TEC is generally known for its capabilities in areas such as systems engineering, cybersecurity, and IT modernization. Their experience with defense contracts suggests familiarity with the operational environment and requirements of agencies like USSTRATCOM, which is a positive indicator for this contract's success.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause impact the overall competitiveness and potential cost savings?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause indicates that while the procurement was intended to be broadly competitive, certain potential sources were deliberately excluded. The justification for these exclusions is critical. If the exclusions were based on legitimate technical requirements or security mandates, the competition might still be robust among the remaining qualified vendors, potentially leading to good price discovery. However, if the exclusions were arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could limit the number of bidders, reduce competitive pressure, and potentially lead to higher costs for the government than a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3152 PRESIDENTIAL DR, FAIRBORN, OH, 45324

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,219,065

Exercised Options: $3,505,270

Current Obligation: $2,657,433

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD19D3005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline