CDC's $9.97M IT Contract with Unisys Raises Questions on Value and Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,972,378 ($10.0M)

Contractor: Unisys Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2003-06-10

End Date: 2006-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,178 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE

Sector: IT

Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - CDC MID TIER DATA

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30329

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $10.0 million to UNISYS CORPORATION for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - CDC MID TIER DATA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Unisys Corporation for Computer Systems Design Services. 2. Significant spending of $9.97 million over 3 years. 3. Awarded via a competitive delivery order, suggesting some level of price discovery. 4. Sector is Information Technology, a common area for federal spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Incentive, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar contracts for Computer Systems Design Services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating it was not a sole-source acquisition. However, the specific competition details and the number of bidders are not provided, limiting the assessment of true price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The cost-plus incentive structure warrants scrutiny to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and effectively for the intended IT services.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be exposed to higher costs due to the incentive-based pricing model. The effectiveness of IT systems relies on the quality of services provided by Unisys. Transparency in contract performance and cost management is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Incentive contract type
Lack of detailed competition information
Potential for cost overruns

Positive Signals

Awarded via competitive delivery order
Services provided to CDC, a key health agency

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. Federal IT spending is substantial, and ensuring competitive pricing and effective service delivery is paramount.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is Unisys Corporation, a large business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting to small businesses on this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would involve monitoring Unisys's performance against contract requirements and ensuring adherence to the cost-plus incentive structure to prevent unnecessary expenditures.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Incentive contract type can lead to higher costs.
Limited transparency on competition details.
Potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $10.0 million to UNISYS CORPORATION. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - CDC MID TIER DATA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNISYS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-06-10. End: 2006-08-31.

What was the final cost of this contract, and how did it compare to the initial estimates or incentives achieved?

The provided data shows an award amount of $9.97 million. Without access to the final expenditure and performance metrics, it's impossible to determine the final cost or the effectiveness of the incentive structure in controlling expenses or driving performance.

What specific IT systems or services were provided under this contract, and what was their impact on CDC's mission?

The contract is for 'Computer Systems Design Services.' The specific systems or services are not detailed. Assessing the impact on the CDC's mission would require understanding the nature of these services and their contribution to public health initiatives.

Were there any identified risks or challenges during the contract period, and how were they mitigated?

The data does not provide information on risks or challenges encountered during the contract's performance. A thorough review would be needed to identify any issues related to cost, schedule, or performance and the mitigation strategies employed.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 4TCW75037030

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11720 PLAZA AMERICA DR, RESTON, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,972,378

Exercised Options: $9,972,378

Current Obligation: $9,972,378

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 263010073

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline