DoD awards $5.6M for Unified Platform Infrastructure, with RAFT LLC securing the contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,625,607 ($5.6M)
Contractor: Raft LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-07-08
End Date: 2026-04-07
Contract Duration: 638 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: FY24 RDT_E DIRECT CITE MIPR TO AFLCMC/HNCP FOR UNIFIED PLATFORM INFRASTRUCTURE PIPELINE (UPI-PS) UNIFIED PLATFORMINFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE (UPITI)
Place of Performance
Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78205
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $5.6 million to RAFT LLC for work described as: FY24 RDT_E DIRECT CITE MIPR TO AFLCMC/HNCP FOR UNIFIED PLATFORM INFRASTRUCTURE PIPELINE (UPI-PS) UNIFIED PLATFORMINFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE (UPITI) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical IT infrastructure for the Air Force's Unified Platform. 2. RAFFT LLC, a new entity, is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 4. Pricing appears competitive based on the fixed-price nature of the award. 5. The contract duration is approximately two years, indicating a focused scope. 6. This award represents a small portion of the Air Force's broader IT modernization efforts.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $5.6 million for custom computer programming services is within a reasonable range for specialized IT infrastructure development. Benchmarking against similar Air Force IT contracts suggests this is a moderate investment. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, implying that the contractor has adequately estimated their costs. Without more detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process mitigates significant overpricing concerns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which suggests a prior exclusion of sources followed by a competitive process among the remaining eligible entities. While not a fully open competition from the outset, the subsequent competition among a defined set of bidders aims to ensure fair pricing. The number of bidders (6) indicates a reasonable level of interest and competition within the defined scope.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, while structured to be competitive among eligible firms, may not yield the absolute lowest price achievable in a completely open market. However, it still provides a mechanism for price discovery and ensures that taxpayer funds are used efficiently within the constraints of the program's specific requirements.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and its personnel who will utilize the enhanced Unified Platform Infrastructure. The contract delivers essential IT infrastructure services for the Unified Platform Infrastructure Pipeline (UPI-PS) and Unified Platform Infrastructure Technology Infrastructure (UPITI). The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Defense's operational and development environments. Workforce implications include potential demand for specialized IT professionals in custom computer programming and infrastructure management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition after exclusion of sources could potentially restrict the pool of innovative solutions.
- Reliance on a single awardee for a critical infrastructure component warrants close performance monitoring.
- The specific nature of 'Unified Platform Infrastructure' suggests a complex integration challenge that could pose technical risks.
Positive Signals
- The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
- The award follows a competitive process among eligible bidders, indicating some level of price vetting.
- The contract duration of under two years suggests a focused and manageable project scope.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on custom computer programming and infrastructure development. The market for such services is large and highly competitive, with numerous firms capable of delivering these solutions. The Department of Defense represents a significant customer within this sector, often requiring specialized capabilities for complex systems like the Unified Platform. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT infrastructure projects within the federal government can vary widely based on scope and complexity, but this award appears to be a moderate investment for a specific, critical component.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors if their capabilities align with project needs.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will be managed by the Department of the Air Force, likely through contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are publicly reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Air Force IT Modernization Programs
- Department of Defense Cloud Computing Strategy
- Unified Platform Initiatives
- Custom Computer Programming Services Contracts
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) Contracts
Risk Flags
- Limited competition after exclusion of sources
- Potential for contractor performance issues on critical infrastructure
- Integration complexity of unified platform components
Tags
it-services, custom-computer-programming, department-of-defense, department-of-the-air-force, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, limited-competition, infrastructure, unified-platform, texas, fy24
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $5.6 million to RAFT LLC. FY24 RDT_E DIRECT CITE MIPR TO AFLCMC/HNCP FOR UNIFIED PLATFORM INFRASTRUCTURE PIPELINE (UPI-PS) UNIFIED PLATFORMINFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE (UPITI)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RAFT LLC.
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 $5.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-07-08. End: 2026-04-07.
What is RAFT LLC's track record with the Department of Defense or similar government agencies?
Based on the provided data, RAFT LLC is the prime contractor for this specific award. Further investigation into the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or other contract databases would be necessary to ascertain RAFT LLC's complete contract history, including past performance, previous awards, and any reported issues or successes with the Department of Defense or other federal agencies. Without this additional data, it is difficult to assess their established track record and experience in delivering similar IT infrastructure solutions.
How does the $5.6 million contract value compare to similar Unified Platform infrastructure projects?
The $5.6 million contract value for custom computer programming services for the Unified Platform Infrastructure Pipeline (UPI-PS) and Unified Platform Infrastructure Technology Infrastructure (UPITI) represents a specific investment in a critical component. Benchmarking this against 'similar' projects is challenging without defining 'similar' precisely. However, within the context of large-scale IT modernization efforts by the Department of Defense, this amount is moderate. Larger enterprise-wide cloud migration or platform development contracts can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. This award likely covers a defined phase or specific module of the broader Unified Platform initiative, making direct comparison difficult without more granular project scope details.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential technical challenges in integrating new infrastructure into existing systems, contractor performance issues, and scope creep. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded within the contract's firm-fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and deliver within budget. The Department of the Air Force's program management and contracting oversight will be crucial in monitoring progress, addressing technical hurdles, and ensuring adherence to the defined scope. The limited competition aspect, while potentially efficient, also means a narrower range of potential solutions and a reliance on the selected contractor's capabilities.
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' approach in ensuring value for taxpayers?
This procurement method aims to balance the need for specialized capabilities with competitive pricing. By excluding certain sources initially (perhaps due to specific requirements or prior relationships) and then opening competition among the remaining eligible entities, the government seeks to ensure a competitive environment without compromising on essential qualifications. The fact that six bidders participated suggests that this approach did generate a reasonable level of competition. While it may not be as broad as unrestricted full and open competition, it can be effective in securing value when specific technical expertise or security clearances are paramount, provided the exclusion criteria are justified and the subsequent competition is robust.
What is the historical spending pattern for Unified Platform Infrastructure development within the Department of the Air Force?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for Unified Platform Infrastructure development requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data. This specific contract, valued at $5.6 million, is a single delivery order. To understand historical trends, one would need to aggregate spending on related contracts over multiple fiscal years, identifying all awards associated with the Unified Platform, its components (like UPI-PS and UPITI), and similar infrastructure initiatives within the Air Force. This would reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and identify key contractors and program evolution over time.
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 › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11800 SUNRISE VALLEY DR STE 400, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,923,220
Exercised Options: $7,689,266
Current Obligation: $5,625,607
Actual Outlays: $274,826
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA830721G0020
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-07-08
Current End Date: 2026-04-07
Potential End Date: 2028-04-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-11
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