GSA Awards $51M for Arctic HPC Support to University of Alaska Fairbanks

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,056,104 ($51.1M)

Contractor: University of Alaska Fairbanks

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2005-08-04

End Date: 2011-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,126 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING (HPC) CAPABILITY AT THE ARTIC REGION SUPERCOMPUTING CENTER (ARSC)

Place of Performance

Location: LORTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22079

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $51.1 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS for work described as: PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING (HPC) CAPABILITY AT THE ARTIC REGION SUPERCOMPUTING CENTER (ARSC) Key points: 1. Significant investment in specialized High Performance Computing (HPC) for the Arctic region. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate approach to source selection. 3. Contract duration is substantial (2126 days), indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The award to a university highlights potential for academic-industry partnerships in research computing.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $51M over approximately 5.8 years results in an average annual cost of $8.8M. Without specific benchmarks for Arctic HPC support, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but it appears substantial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources were excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting critical research infrastructure in a sensitive and strategically important region.

Public Impact

Enhances scientific research capabilities in the Arctic, potentially leading to breakthroughs in climate science, environmental monitoring, and resource management. Supports advanced computational needs for academic institutions and potentially government agencies operating in or studying the Arctic. Invests in specialized infrastructure that may have dual-use applications for national security or economic development in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Long contract duration may not reflect evolving technology needs.
Lack of small business participation noted.

Positive Signals

Supports critical Arctic research infrastructure.
Awarded to an academic institution, fostering research and development.
Utilizes a structured competition method.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and Research & Development sectors, specifically focusing on High Performance Computing. Spending benchmarks for specialized HPC infrastructure can vary widely based on scale and specific requirements, but $51M over nearly six years represents a significant investment.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss=false, sb=false). This suggests the contract was likely awarded to a large institution or entity, and opportunities for small businesses in this specialized HPC support may have been limited.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), Federal Acquisition Service, indicating established procurement processes. Oversight would focus on contract performance, adherence to terms, and effective utilization of funds for the stated research objectives.

Related Government Programs

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature and long duration.
Risk of technological obsolescence if upgrades are not managed effectively.
Limited visibility into the specific rationale for excluding certain sources.
Lack of small business involvement may indicate missed opportunities for broader economic impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $51.1 million to UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS. PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING (HPC) CAPABILITY AT THE ARTIC REGION SUPERCOMPUTING CENTER (ARSC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $51.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-08-04. End: 2011-05-31.

What specific HPC capabilities were required, and how did the exclusion of sources impact the final solution and cost?

The specific HPC capabilities required likely involved significant processing power, data storage, and networking infrastructure tailored for complex scientific simulations relevant to Arctic research. The exclusion of sources, while potentially justified for specific expertise, could limit competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs or a less optimal technological solution compared to a fully open competition.

What is the long-term strategy for maintaining and upgrading this HPC capability given the rapid pace of technological advancement?

The contract's duration of over 2000 days necessitates a clear long-term strategy for technology refresh and maintenance. Without explicit provisions for upgrades or competitive re-competition as technology evolves, the ARSC risks falling behind state-of-the-art capabilities. Future contracts should incorporate mechanisms for incorporating newer technologies to ensure sustained high performance.

How does the University of Alaska Fairbanks leverage this HPC capability to benefit broader scientific and potentially governmental objectives in the Arctic?

The University of Alaska Fairbanks likely utilizes this HPC capability to conduct cutting-edge research in areas such as climate modeling, oceanography, and environmental science, crucial for understanding the rapidly changing Arctic. This research can inform policy decisions, support sustainable resource management, and contribute to national security interests in the region by providing advanced analytical tools.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 4THO97064562

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: University of Alaska Systems (UEI: 048679567)

Address: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CTR RM 109, FAIRBANKS, AK, 99775

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $99,955,349

Exercised Options: $89,951,519

Current Obligation: $51,056,104

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline