NIH awarded $22.3M for computer systems design, with Lumen Technologies as the contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,288,691 ($22.3M)

Contractor: Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2007-08-15

End Date: 2014-01-29

Contract Duration: 2,359 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: IT

Official Description: CIT - DCSS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR QWEST CAN 7-8339375

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20894, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22.3 million to LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC for work described as: CIT - DCSS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR QWEST CAN 7-8339375 Key points: 1. The contract value of $22.3 million over its duration suggests a significant investment in IT infrastructure or services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not fully detailed, but the award type indicates a competitive process. 3. Performance risk appears moderate, given the multi-year duration and the nature of IT service contracts. 4. The contract falls within the 'Computer Systems Design Services' category, a common area for federal IT spending. 5. This award represents a portion of the broader federal spending on IT services, supporting agency operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more granular data on the services provided and comparable contracts. However, the total award of $22.3 million over approximately 6.5 years (from August 2007 to January 2014) averages to roughly $3.4 million per year. This figure needs to be assessed against the scope and complexity of the computer systems design services rendered to determine true value for money. Without specific performance metrics or detailed service breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating that it was competed under a broader indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar vehicle that allowed for multiple bidders. The presence of 3 bids (as indicated by 'no': 3) suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specific delivery order. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even for a delivery order, helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down prices through multiple vendor proposals.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its various research and administrative functions, which rely on robust computer systems. The services delivered would encompass the design, implementation, and potentially maintenance of computer systems to support NIH's mission. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the NIH is headquartered, but could extend to other NIH facilities. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT personnel, both within the government and by the contractor, to execute the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial system design requirements are not clearly defined.
Dependency on contractor expertise could pose a risk if knowledge transfer is inadequate.
Long contract duration increases the risk of technology obsolescence if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for cost-effectiveness.
The contract is for computer systems design, a core IT function that can enhance agency efficiency.
The multi-year duration allows for sustained support and development of critical IT infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

The federal IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with agencies like the NIH consistently investing in computer systems design and related services to support their research and operational mandates. This contract fits within the broader category of professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically focusing on IT infrastructure and solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale IT service contracts awarded to support federal health agencies or research institutions.

Small Business Impact

There is no explicit indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information suggesting significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The contractor, Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc., is a large entity. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award appears limited, unless subcontracting plans were not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the contracting officers and program managers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The contract's duration and nature suggest regular performance reviews and financial oversight. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, where basic details are made public. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

NIH IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Health IT Services
Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Lumen Technologies Federal Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of technology obsolescence.
Specific performance metrics not detailed, making value assessment challenging.
Contractor's specific expertise in 'computer systems design' beyond general IT needs requires further investigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22.3 million to LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. CIT - DCSS ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR QWEST CAN 7-8339375

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LUMEN TECHNOLOGIES GOVERNMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-08-15. End: 2014-01-29.

What specific computer systems design services were procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Computer Systems Design Services' (NAICS code 541512). However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. Typically, this could encompass a wide range of activities, including needs assessment, system architecture design, software integration planning, network design, cybersecurity architecture, and the development of technical specifications for IT systems. For the NIH, these services likely supported critical research infrastructure, data management systems, or administrative platforms essential for the agency's mission. Further details would require examining the contract's statement of work (SOW).

How does the $22.3 million award compare to other similar IT service contracts at NIH?

Comparing this $22.3 million award requires context regarding the contract's duration and scope. Awarded from August 2007 to January 2014 (approximately 6.5 years), the average annual value was around $3.4 million. The NIH, as a major health research agency, procures numerous IT services. Larger, more complex IT modernization projects or enterprise-wide system implementations could easily exceed this amount annually. Conversely, smaller, task-specific IT support contracts would be significantly less. Without knowing if this was a foundational system design, a specific research platform, or ongoing support, a direct comparison is difficult, but it appears to be a substantial, multi-year investment in IT infrastructure.

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. For computer systems design services, typical KPIs might include adherence to project timelines, meeting technical specifications, successful system integration, user satisfaction post-implementation, system uptime and performance post-launch, and adherence to budget. The contracting officer's representative (COR) at NIH would have been responsible for monitoring performance against the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and potentially against defined KPIs. The absence of this information in the summary data limits a detailed performance assessment.

What is Lumen Technologies' track record with federal IT service contracts, particularly with NIH?

Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc. (and its predecessors like CenturyLink) has a significant history of performing federal IT service contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and its components like NIH. Their track record generally involves providing telecommunications, network, and IT infrastructure services. While this specific contract was for computer systems design, Lumen's broader experience suggests they possess the capability to handle complex IT projects. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal specific performance ratings, past performance evaluations, and any significant issues or successes on similar contracts.

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

The provided summary data does not explicitly detail any significant challenges or risks encountered during the performance of this contract. However, multi-year IT service contracts inherently carry risks such as technological obsolescence, potential cost overruns if requirements change, integration issues with existing systems, and contractor performance variability. Given the contract's duration (2007-2014), managing the evolution of technology and ensuring the designed systems remained relevant and effective would have been a key consideration. Without access to contract performance reports or modification histories, specific challenges remain unknown.

How has federal spending on computer systems design services (NAICS 541512) trended over the period this contract was active?

Federal spending on computer systems design services (NAICS 541512) generally saw an upward trend during the period this contract was active (2007-2014). This era coincided with increasing digitization across government agencies, a growing emphasis on cybersecurity, and the early stages of cloud adoption. Agencies like NIH continually invest in upgrading and designing new IT systems to support research, data analysis, and operational efficiency. While specific annual spending figures for this NAICS code fluctuate based on agency priorities and budget cycles, the overall demand for such services remained robust, reflecting the critical role of IT in government operations.

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: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (3)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lumen Technologies, Inc (UEI: 050911668)

Address: 10300 EATON PL STE 440, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,288,691

Exercised Options: $22,288,691

Current Obligation: $22,288,691

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0208L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline