DoD's $65M Gartner Contract for IT Services: Full Competition Achieved
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $65,269,797 ($65.3M)
Contractor: Gartner, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-03-31
End Date: 2023-03-30
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $35.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF GARTNER RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: STAMFORD, FAIRFIELD County, CONNECTICUT, 06902
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $65.3 million to GARTNER, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF GARTNER RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES Key points: 1. Significant investment in research and advisory services for IT. 2. Gartner, Inc. secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. Potential for cost savings and improved IT strategy through expert advice. 4. Sector focus on 'Other Computer Related Services' indicates broad IT support needs.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $65.3M over five years suggests a substantial investment. Benchmarking against similar large-scale research and advisory contracts is difficult without more granular data on service scope, but the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition likely resulted in a fair market price, maximizing taxpayer value for the research and advisory services procured.
Public Impact
Enhances Department of Defense's access to cutting-edge IT research and insights. Supports strategic decision-making for complex technology adoption and management. Potential to improve operational efficiency and cybersecurity posture through expert guidance.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Contract duration of 5 years may lead to vendor lock-in if not managed proactively.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical research could pose a risk if Gartner's capabilities diminish.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition ensures market-driven pricing.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
- Long-term engagement allows for deep understanding of DoD's IT challenges.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Spending in this area often includes IT consulting, research, and advisory services, crucial for government agencies navigating complex technological landscapes.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Gartner, Inc., a large corporation. There is no explicit indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data, suggesting limited direct impact on small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded via a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would typically involve monitoring performance against the statement of work and ensuring adherence to the firm fixed-price terms.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to long contract duration.
- Reliance on external expertise may not fully address internal capability gaps.
- Measuring the direct ROI of advisory services can be challenging.
- Scope creep in delivery orders could increase overall costs beyond initial projections.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-defense, ct, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $65.3 million to GARTNER, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF GARTNER RESEARCH AND ADVISORY SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GARTNER, 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 $65.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-03-31. End: 2023-03-30.
What specific IT challenges or strategic goals does this Gartner contract aim to address for the Air Force?
The contract likely supports the Air Force's efforts to modernize its IT infrastructure, improve cybersecurity, adopt emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing, and optimize IT spending. Gartner's research and advisory services would provide insights into best practices, vendor landscapes, and strategic roadmaps tailored to defense needs.
How does the 'Other Computer Related Services' classification compare to typical IT service contracts within the DoD?
This classification is broad and encompasses a wide range of IT support beyond traditional software development or hardware procurement. It suggests a focus on strategic consulting, research, analysis, and potentially implementation guidance, reflecting a need for expert external advice on complex IT matters rather than just technical execution.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the value derived from Gartner's advisory services translates into tangible improvements for the Air Force?
Value realization depends on effective task order management, clear performance metrics within each delivery order, and active engagement from Air Force personnel. The firm fixed-price nature incentivizes Gartner to deliver defined outcomes, but ongoing oversight is crucial to ensure the advice is actionable and leads to measurable improvements in efficiency, security, or cost savings.
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
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 56 TOP GALLANT RD, STAMFORD, CT, 06902
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $91,567,192
Exercised Options: $65,269,797
Current Obligation: $65,269,797
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F5014H
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-03-31
Current End Date: 2023-03-30
Potential End Date: 2023-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-05-09
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