GSA awards $27.5M contract for AF/IL transformation expertise to Analytic Services Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,488,077 ($27.5M)

Contractor: Analytic Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2005-12-29

End Date: 2010-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,828 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL, FUNCTIONAL, AND MANAGERIAL EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT THE AF/IL TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES UNDER MOBIS.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22206

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $27.5 million to ANALYTIC SERVICES INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL, FUNCTIONAL, AND MANAGERIAL EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT THE AF/IL TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES UNDER MOBIS. Key points: 1. Contract provides critical expertise for Air Force transformation initiatives. 2. Analytic Services Inc. has a long-standing relationship with the government. 3. The contract utilizes a Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. This award falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 5. The contract duration spans over five years, indicating a significant commitment. 6. The award was made via a competitive delivery order, suggesting some level of competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $27.5 million over five years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for large-scale transformation initiatives is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work. The Time and Materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, but it also offers flexibility for evolving project needs. The value proposition hinges on the successful transformation outcomes achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had an opportunity to bid. However, the specifics of the competition, such as the number of bidders and the evaluation criteria, are not detailed here. Competitive delivery orders under larger IDIQs can still vary in their level of true competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even for a delivery order, generally offers better price discovery and value for taxpayers compared to sole-source procurements.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Air Force, which receives support for its transformation initiatives. The contract delivers managerial and technical expertise to drive modernization efforts. The geographic impact is primarily within the Air Force's operational and administrative centers. Workforce implications include the potential for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness within the Air Force through transformation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to unpredictable costs if not closely monitored.
The broad nature of 'transformation initiatives' may present scope creep risks.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical transformation expertise could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a competitive process, suggesting a baseline level of vetting.
The long duration indicates a sustained need and potentially a successful partnership.
The contract number of 1 suggests this is a specific task order under a larger contract vehicle.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the management consulting services sector, a significant segment of federal spending. The market for these services is broad, encompassing strategic planning, organizational change, and operational improvement. The Air Force's transformation initiatives represent a substantial investment area, requiring specialized expertise to navigate complex technological and organizational shifts. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the transformation, but large-scale defense modernization efforts often involve multi-million dollar consulting engagements.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As a competitive delivery order, it's possible that small businesses could have participated as subcontractors, but this is not explicitly stated. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and the contracting officers within the Air Force program office. Transparency is generally provided through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Air Force Transformation Initiatives
MOBIS Contracts
Management and Consulting Services
Defense Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
Risk of scope creep in transformation initiatives
Long contract duration may lead to outdated solutions
Over-reliance on a single contractor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $27.5 million to ANALYTIC SERVICES INC.. TECHNICAL, FUNCTIONAL, AND MANAGERIAL EXPERTISE TO SUPPORT THE AF/IL TRANSFORMATION INITIATIVES UNDER MOBIS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANALYTIC SERVICES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-12-29. End: 2010-12-31.

What specific transformation initiatives are being supported under this contract?

The contract broadly supports 'AF/IL Transformation Initiatives under MOBIS.' MOBIS (Management, Organizational, and Business Improvement Services) is a GSA schedule that provides a wide range of consulting services. Specific initiatives could range from modernizing IT infrastructure, improving operational processes, implementing new organizational structures, or enhancing data management capabilities within the Air Force's Information Logistics (IL) domain. Without further details on the specific task orders issued against this contract, the precise nature of the transformation efforts remains general. These initiatives are crucial for the Air Force to adapt to evolving technological landscapes and operational demands.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change significantly. They reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, T&M offers more flexibility but less cost certainty for the government. For complex, evolving projects like large-scale transformation initiatives, T&M can be advantageous as it allows for adjustments without formal change orders. However, it places a greater burden on the government to monitor labor hours and material costs to prevent overspending. Other alternatives like Cost-Plus contracts offer different risk-sharing mechanisms.

What is the track record of Analytic Services Inc. in supporting large-scale government transformation projects?

Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER) has a significant history of supporting government clients, particularly in defense and national security. They are known for providing analytical, research, and advisory services. While this specific contract focuses on Air Force transformation, ANSER has experience in areas like strategic planning, policy analysis, and systems engineering, which are all relevant to transformation efforts. Their long-standing presence suggests a capacity to handle complex, long-term engagements. A deeper dive into their past performance on similar transformation projects, including client feedback and successful outcomes, would provide a more comprehensive assessment of their track record.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year contract for transformation consulting?

A five-year duration for transformation consulting presents several potential risks. Firstly, the technology landscape and the specific needs of the Air Force could evolve significantly over this period, potentially making the initial scope of work outdated. Secondly, maintaining contractor performance and engagement at a high level for such an extended period can be challenging. There's also the risk of 'vendor lock-in,' where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider. Finally, the Time and Materials pricing structure, if not rigorously managed, could lead to cost escalations over the contract's life, especially if the transformation proves more complex or lengthy than initially anticipated.

How does the $27.5 million contract value compare to overall Air Force IT or transformation spending?

The $27.5 million contract value represents a specific investment in consulting expertise for transformation initiatives. To contextualize this, one would need to compare it against the Air Force's total budget for IT modernization, research and development, and major acquisition programs. For instance, the Air Force's annual IT budget often runs into the tens of billions of dollars, and major platform acquisitions can cost hundreds of millions or even billions. Therefore, $27.5 million for specialized consulting services, while substantial for a single contract, is likely a relatively small fraction of the overall spending dedicated to achieving these transformation goals. It highlights the importance of targeted expertise within a larger spending framework.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5275 LEESBURG PIKE STE N5000, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $62,308,202

Exercised Options: $27,488,077

Current Obligation: $27,488,077

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0026J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline