DoD's $28M contract for computer systems design services awarded to Peraton Government Communications Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,962,756 ($28.0M)

Contractor: Peraton Government Communications Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-07-06

End Date: 2009-02-26

Contract Duration: 1,331 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED

Sector: IT

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22042

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.0 million to PERATON GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS INC. for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract value of $27.96 million represents a significant investment in IT infrastructure. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, this suggests a robust market for these services. 3. The contract duration of 1331 days indicates a long-term need for the services provided. 4. The specific NAICS code (541512) points to a focus on computer systems design, a critical area for defense operations. 5. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, highlighting the importance of specialized capabilities. 6. The geographic location of the awardee in Virginia may indicate a concentration of IT support services in that region.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered. However, the $27.96 million over approximately 3.6 years suggests a substantial, ongoing need. Comparing it to similar large-scale IT system design contracts within the Department of Defense would provide better context for value for money. The absence of reported price per unit makes a direct cost assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was initially broad, certain sources were excluded before the final award. This suggests a competitive process, but the exclusion of specific sources warrants further investigation into the rationale. The number of bidders is not specified, which limits the assessment of the intensity of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally aims to secure the best value for taxpayers by allowing multiple vendors to bid. However, the exclusion of sources could potentially limit the range of competitive offers and impact price discovery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense agencies relying on the designed computer systems for operational effectiveness. The services delivered likely involve the design, integration, and potentially maintenance of complex IT systems crucial for defense missions. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the operational areas supported by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Workforce implications could include the need for specialized IT professionals, both within the contractor's organization and potentially within the government for oversight and integration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the computer systems designed.
The exclusion of sources in the competition process raises questions about the breadth of competition and potential impact on pricing.
Limited information on the specific deliverables and outcomes of the computer systems design makes value assessment challenging.
The contract's duration suggests a long-term commitment, requiring ongoing monitoring to ensure continued relevance and value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a full and open competition process, indicating an effort to leverage market capabilities.
The substantial contract value suggests a critical need for advanced computer systems design services within the DoD.
The award to Peraton Government Communications Inc. likely signifies confidence in their technical expertise and past performance.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly computer systems design, is a critical component of modern defense operations. This contract falls within a segment of the IT market focused on specialized government solutions. Spending in this area is substantial across federal agencies, with significant investments in maintaining and upgrading complex systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale IT system integration and design contracts awarded by defense agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary awardee is expected to perform the majority of the work, and the impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless Peraton actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, but detailed performance reports are often not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Technology Contracting Office
Information Technology Services
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Department of Defense IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Competition Exclusion Rationale
Performance Metrics Unclear
Specific Deliverables Not Detailed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.0 million to PERATON GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS INC.. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERATON GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Information Systems Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-07-06. End: 2009-02-26.

What specific computer systems were designed under this contract, and what were their primary functions?

The provided data does not specify the exact computer systems designed under this contract. However, given the awardee (Peraton Government Communications Inc.) and the awarding agency (Defense Information Systems Agency - DISA), it is highly probable that the systems relate to defense communication networks, command and control systems, or other critical IT infrastructure supporting military operations. These systems could range from network architecture design to the integration of hardware and software for specific defense applications. Further details would require access to the contract's statement of work or performance reports.

How does the $27.96 million contract value compare to similar computer systems design contracts awarded by the DoD in the same period?

Directly comparing the $27.96 million value requires access to a broader dataset of similar contracts awarded by the DoD around the 2005-2009 period. However, for a contract of this duration (over 3 years) and scope (computer systems design for DISA), this amount represents a significant investment. Larger, more complex system integration projects within the DoD can easily reach hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. This $28 million contract likely represents a substantial, but not top-tier, project within the agency's IT portfolio, possibly focusing on a specific system or upgrade rather than a complete overhaul.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract. Typically, such metrics would be detailed within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and would focus on aspects like system uptime, performance benchmarks, successful integration of components, adherence to security protocols, and timely delivery of design documentation. Without these details, assessing the contractor's performance and the overall success of the system design is not possible from the available information.

What is Peraton Government Communications Inc.'s track record with similar DoD IT contracts?

Peraton Government Communications Inc. (and its predecessors/related entities) has a history of performing IT and communications services for the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense. While this specific contract was awarded in 2005, Peraton has continued to secure significant contracts in areas such as network modernization, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT services. Their track record generally indicates experience in large-scale government IT projects, though the specifics of past performance relevant to computer systems design would require a deeper dive into their contract history.

Were there any notable risks or challenges identified during the performance of this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list any risks or challenges encountered during the performance of this contract. However, large-scale IT system design contracts within the DoD inherently carry risks such as technological obsolescence, integration complexities, cybersecurity threats, scope creep, and potential budget overruns. The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation might hint at initial challenges in defining the scope or identifying suitable vendors. Without specific reports or contract close-out documentation, identifying actual performance risks is speculative.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED (NO)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L3harris Technologies, Inc (UEI: 004203337)

Address: 3190 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 08

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Woman Owned Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS06F0078Z

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline