DoD awards $2.15M for technical support to NCR Government Systems LLC, with a firm fixed price

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,154,247 ($2.2M)

Contractor: NCR Government Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-03-19

End Date: 2025-01-28

Contract Duration: 315 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: GERMANTOWN, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20876

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.2 million to NCR GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the firm fixed-price structure, which shifts risk to the contractor. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the firm fixed-price nature and established contractor. 4. Performance context is technical support, a common requirement for defense agencies. 5. This contract fits within the IT services sector, specifically supporting software publishers. 6. The award amount is modest, indicating a focused scope of work.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm fixed-price (FFP) structure is a positive indicator for value, as it incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently. Benchmarking against similar technical support contracts within the Department of Defense would provide a more precise assessment of pricing, but the overall award amount of $2.15 million for a period of approximately 10 months suggests a moderate investment. The absence of raw dollar amounts in the provided data prevents a direct comparison, but the FFP model generally aligns with good value when scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically involves a robust solicitation process, such as a Request for Proposal (RFP), followed by evaluation of multiple bids. The level of competition is not explicitly stated in terms of the number of bidders, but the designation implies that the government sought the best value through a broad outreach.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and higher quality services. It ensures that the government is not limited to a single provider, thereby promoting market efficiency.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from essential technical support services to maintain its IT infrastructure. This contract ensures the continued operation and maintenance of software-related systems. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around the contractor's operational base and the agency's facilities in Maryland. Workforce implications include employment for technical support specialists employed by NCR Government Systems LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if technical support requirements are not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical technical support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure mitigates cost overrun risks for the government.
Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
Contractor has a base in Maryland, potentially indicating local economic benefits.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a vast and critical component of government operations, encompassing a wide range of support, development, and maintenance activities. This contract falls under the sub-sector of technical support for software publishers, a niche but essential area. Comparable spending benchmarks for technical support services within the Department of Defense can vary significantly based on complexity and duration, but this $2.15 million award for a less-than-year-long period appears to be within a typical range for specialized IT support.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific benefits for the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus remains on larger, established entities capable of competing under full and open solicitations.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), the contracting agency. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Systems Agency IT Support Contracts
Department of Defense Software Maintenance Services
Federal IT Technical Assistance Agreements

Risk Flags

Contract duration is less than one year, potentially indicating a short-term need or pilot program.
Specific technical requirements and performance metrics are not detailed in the provided summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.2 million to NCR GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS LLC. TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NCR GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-19. End: 2025-01-28.

What is the track record of NCR Government Systems LLC with the Department of Defense?

While specific details on NCR Government Systems LLC's past performance with the Department of Defense are not provided in the abbreviated data, the award of this contract suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability to fulfill the requirements. Federal procurement databases often contain historical contract awards and performance ratings for contractors. A deeper dive into these resources would reveal the extent and nature of their previous work with DoD, including the types of services rendered, contract values, and any reported performance issues or commendations. This information is crucial for assessing the contractor's reliability and suitability for ongoing engagements.

How does the $2.15 million award compare to similar technical support contracts for software publishers?

Comparing the $2.15 million award for technical support to software publishers requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services included. This contract has a duration of approximately 10 months (March 2024 - January 2025). Without detailed service level agreements or specific technical requirements, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, for specialized technical support that might involve system maintenance, troubleshooting, or user assistance for complex software environments within a federal agency, an award of this magnitude for a period under one year is not uncommon. Larger, multi-year contracts with broader scopes would naturally command higher dollar values.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract?

The primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price (FFP) contract are generally low for the government, as the FFP structure places the cost risk on the contractor. However, potential risks include the contractor potentially cutting corners on quality to maintain profitability if the fixed price is too low or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. Another risk is scope creep; if the government's needs evolve beyond the initially defined scope, managing changes under an FFP contract can lead to disputes or require contract modifications. Ensuring the initial scope is well-defined and that change management processes are robust are key to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' process in ensuring value for this type of IT support?

The 'full and open competition' process is generally considered highly effective in ensuring value for IT support contracts. By allowing all responsible sources to bid, it fosters a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. This process typically involves a detailed Request for Proposal (RFP) that clearly outlines the government's needs, allowing contractors to propose tailored solutions. The evaluation of multiple proposals based on predefined criteria (e.g., technical approach, past performance, price) helps the government select the offer that provides the best overall value. While it requires more upfront effort in solicitation and evaluation, it significantly increases the likelihood of securing high-quality services at a competitive price.

What are the historical spending patterns for technical support services within the Defense Information Systems Agency?

Historical spending patterns for technical support services within the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) are substantial, reflecting the agency's critical role in managing and securing DoD information systems. DISA consistently procures a wide array of IT support services, ranging from network operations and cybersecurity to software maintenance and end-user support. Annual spending can run into billions of dollars, often through large, multi-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts and numerous smaller task orders. The specific category of 'technical support for software publishers' represents a segment within this larger spending landscape, with individual contract values varying based on the criticality and complexity of the software supported.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HC102814R0004

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 20370 SENECA MEADOWS PKWY, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20876

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,154,247

Exercised Options: $2,154,247

Current Obligation: $2,154,247

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HC102815D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline