UNISYS CORPORATION awarded $22.2M for IT Contractor Support, with 2 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,225,105 ($22.2M)

Contractor: Unisys Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2013-09-18

End Date: 2016-09-12

Contract Duration: 1,090 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR TECHNICAL OPERATIONS IGF::CL::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $22.2 million to UNISYS CORPORATION for work described as: IT CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR TECHNICAL OPERATIONS IGF::CL::IGF Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the contract duration and scope. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a moderately competitive environment for this BPA call. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a stable performance period and established contractor. 4. Performance context shows a long-term engagement for technical operations support. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, a common area for federal procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $22.2 million over approximately three years for IT contractor support suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts is challenging without more granular data on service specifics. However, the price appears within a reasonable range for comprehensive technical operations support, especially considering the duration and the nature of the services likely provided. The BPA call structure implies pre-negotiated rates, which can offer some cost efficiencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, specifically as a BPA call. While the data indicates two bids were received, the specific number of bidders for the underlying BPA or the call itself is not detailed. A full and open competition generally promotes price discovery and allows for a wider range of potential offerors, theoretically leading to better pricing. However, with only two bids, the level of competition might have been constrained.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value through broad market participation. While two bids are better than one, it suggests that the market may not have been as robustly contested as possible, potentially impacting the ultimate cost savings.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring IT contractor support for technical operations benefit from this service. The services delivered likely include system maintenance, network support, and technical assistance. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia. The contract supports a workforce skilled in IT operations and technical support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition with only two bids could lead to suboptimal pricing.
The contract duration of nearly three years may not fully capture evolving technology needs.
Lack of specific service details makes a precise value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring broad market access.
UNISYS CORPORATION is an established IT service provider with federal experience.
The contract supports critical IT operations for a federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, which is a significant component of federal spending. The market for IT contractor support is vast, encompassing a wide range of services from help desk support to complex system integration. Federal agencies frequently procure these services to augment their internal capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific IT functions supported, but overall IT spending by the federal government runs into billions annually.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it specify subcontracting goals. As a large contract awarded to a major IT corporation, it is less likely to directly benefit small businesses through set-asides. However, UNISYS CORPORATION may engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem, though this is not explicitly detailed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within the General Services Administration (GSA). Performance monitoring, invoicing, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
IT Operations and Support
General Services Administration Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for cost overruns
Vendor lock-in risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $22.2 million to UNISYS CORPORATION. IT CONTRACTOR SUPPORT FOR TECHNICAL OPERATIONS IGF::CL::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNISYS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Public Buildings Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-18. End: 2016-09-12.

What is the track record of UNISYS CORPORATION with the General Services Administration?

UNISYS CORPORATION has a significant history of contracting with the General Services Administration (GSA) and other federal agencies. Their portfolio includes a wide range of IT services, from infrastructure management to software development and support. The GSA, as a major procurement vehicle, often awards contracts to established companies like UNISYS for various IT needs. Analyzing their past performance with GSA, including any past performance evaluations or disputes, would provide further insight into their reliability and capability for fulfilling contracts such as this one for IT contractor support.

How does the $22.2 million award compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by GSA?

The $22.2 million award for IT contractor support over approximately three years represents an average annual spend of roughly $7.4 million. This figure is moderate within the vast landscape of federal IT procurements. GSA awards numerous IT contracts, many of which are significantly larger, especially those involving large-scale system modernization or cloud migration. However, for dedicated IT contractor support for technical operations, this award size is not unusual. Comparisons would be more precise if the specific services (e.g., help desk, network administration, cybersecurity support) and the scope of operations were detailed, allowing for benchmarking against contracts with similar service level agreements and technical requirements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns if the scope of work expands beyond initial estimates, or if the contractor's efficiency is lower than anticipated. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, especially if the contractor develops deep integration with agency systems. Performance degradation or failure to meet service level agreements could disrupt critical IT operations. Furthermore, a lack of robust competition, as suggested by only two bids, could mean the government is not achieving the best possible value, potentially leading to higher long-term costs. Security vulnerabilities introduced by contractor personnel or systems also pose a significant risk.

How effective has UNISYS CORPORATION been in delivering IT support services in the past?

Assessing the past effectiveness of UNISYS CORPORATION in delivering IT support services requires a review of their performance history on similar federal contracts. Publicly available data often includes contract performance ratings, though detailed qualitative assessments may be limited. Generally, UNISYS is recognized as a large IT service provider with extensive experience. However, like any large contractor, their performance can vary across different contracts and agencies. A thorough analysis would involve examining contract close-out reports, any documented performance issues or commendations, and feedback from agency program managers on previous IT support engagements.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT contractor support by the General Services Administration?

The General Services Administration (GSA) consistently spends billions of dollars annually on IT services and support, reflecting its role as a central procurement agency for the federal government. Spending patterns for IT contractor support are influenced by evolving technological needs, agency priorities, and budget allocations. GSA utilizes various contract vehicles, including BPAs and IDIQs, to procure these services efficiently. Historical data would likely show a trend of increasing reliance on IT support contractors to manage complex federal IT infrastructures, with spending fluctuating based on major IT initiatives, cybersecurity mandates, and shifts towards cloud computing.

What is the significance of this contract being a BPA Call?

This contract being a BPA Call signifies that it was issued under a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are simplified acquisition methods used when a government agency anticipates repetitive needs for certain supplies or services. They allow agencies to establish charge accounts with qualified vendors, streamlining the procurement process for individual task orders or calls. For taxpayers, this can mean more efficient procurement and potentially better pricing due to pre-negotiated terms within the BPA. However, the effectiveness of the BPA itself relies on the initial competition and terms negotiated when it was established.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Retail Trade › Electronics and Appliance Stores › Computer and Software Stores

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: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8008 WESTPARK DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,989,556

Exercised Options: $22,225,105

Current Obligation: $22,225,105

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00P13CYA0028

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline