FCC awards $11.8M for tracking systems support, with 21 bidders vying for the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,787,107 ($11.8M)

Contractor: Csra Information Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Federal Communications Commission

Start Date: 2007-03-27

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,283 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TRACKING SYSTEMS SUPPORT SVC

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20554

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Communications Commission obligated $11.8 million to CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: TRACKING SYSTEMS SUPPORT SVC Key points: 1. The contract value of $11.8 million over approximately 3.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. 2. High competition with 21 bidders indicates a potentially efficient market for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type generally shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The services fall under custom computer programming, a common IT support category. 5. The contract was awarded to CSRA Information Systems LLC, a known entity in federal IT. 6. Geographic concentration in Washington D.C. may indicate a focus on headquarters-related functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $11.8 million over 1283 days averages to approximately $9,200 per day. Without specific performance metrics or detailed service descriptions, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the robust competition suggests that pricing was likely competitive. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services would require more granular data on the specific tasks performed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with 21 bidders participating. This high level of engagement suggests a healthy market for the tracking systems support services. A large number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing as contractors vie for the award, potentially resulting in better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition indicates that taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently, as multiple companies offered their services, driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) benefits from enhanced tracking systems, crucial for its regulatory and operational functions. Services delivered likely include software development, maintenance, and support for internal tracking systems. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the FCC is headquartered. The contract supports jobs within the IT services sector, specifically in custom computer programming.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the tracking system becomes highly specialized and proprietary.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical system support could pose continuity risks.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond the initial $11.8 million if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

High competition suggests a strong pool of qualified vendors, reducing reliance on any single provider.
The firm-fixed-price contract type incentivizes contractor efficiency and cost control.
The services provided likely enhance the FCC's operational efficiency and data management capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically custom computer programming services. The market for such services is vast and highly competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized support. The FCC's need for tracking systems is common across many government agencies, making this a typical IT procurement. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the complexity and scale of the tracking systems involved.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The large number of bidders suggests that both large and potentially small businesses participated, but the prime contract was awarded to a larger entity (CSRA Information Systems LLC).

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the FCC. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides some inherent accountability, as the contractor is responsible for delivering the specified services within the agreed price. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Services
Custom Software Development
Agency-Specific Tracking Systems
IT Support Contracts
FCC Operational Support

Risk Flags

High number of bidders could indicate a commoditized service, potentially leading to lower margins for contractors.
Contract duration of over 3 years requires careful management to prevent scope creep and ensure continued relevance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Communications Commission awarded $11.8 million to CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC. TRACKING SYSTEMS SUPPORT SVC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA INFORMATION SYSTEMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communications Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-27. End: 2010-09-30.

What specific tracking systems were supported under this contract, and what was their criticality to FCC operations?

The provided data does not specify the exact tracking systems supported. However, given the FCC's role in regulating communications, these systems likely pertain to spectrum management, licensing, enforcement actions, or internal operational workflows. Criticality would depend on whether these systems are essential for core regulatory functions, compliance monitoring, or public safety communications oversight. Without more detail, it's assumed they are important for efficient agency operations and data management.

How does the per-contractor award value compare to similar custom computer programming services procured by the government?

The total award value is $11.8 million over approximately 3.5 years. This averages to roughly $3.37 million per year. Benchmarking this requires comparing it to contracts for similar scope and complexity within the 'Custom Computer Programming Services' NAICS code (541511). Factors like the specific technologies used, the level of customization, and the required expertise significantly influence pricing. Given the 21 bidders, the market likely dictated a competitive price point, but without specific service details, a precise comparison is difficult.

What is CSRA Information Systems LLC's track record with the FCC and similar federal agencies for IT support contracts?

CSRA Information Systems LLC (now part of General Dynamics IT) has a significant history of performing IT services for various federal agencies, including the FCC. Their track record generally includes large-scale IT support, system integration, and software development. While specific performance details for this particular contract aren't detailed here, their presence as a major federal contractor suggests they possess the necessary capabilities and experience. A deeper dive into past performance evaluations and other contracts would provide a more comprehensive view.

Were there any performance issues or contract modifications during the period of performance (2007-2010)?

The provided data does not include details on contract modifications or performance issues. Typically, such information would be available in contract databases that track changes, task orders, and any disputes or performance ratings. The duration of the contract (1283 days) suggests a stable, ongoing requirement. Without access to modification logs or performance reports, it's impossible to assess if there were significant deviations from the original scope or issues encountered.

How has FCC spending on tracking systems support evolved since this contract was awarded?

This contract, awarded in 2007 and ending in 2010, represents a snapshot of FCC IT spending during that period. To understand the evolution, one would need to analyze subsequent contracts for similar services. Factors like technological advancements (e.g., cloud computing, AI), changes in regulatory needs, and shifts in IT strategy (e.g., modernization efforts) would influence spending patterns. Analyzing spending trends over time would reveal whether the FCC has increased, decreased, or maintained its investment in tracking system support.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 21

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 15000 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,013,612

Exercised Options: $11,864,947

Current Obligation: $11,787,107

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Timeline