Interior's OCIO received $19.2M for IT infrastructure support, awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,168,143 ($19.2M)

Contractor: THE MIL Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2011-01-26

End Date: 2014-07-25

Contract Duration: 1,276 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO) - THIS AWARD IS A COMBINATION T&M/FFP TASK ORDER. FPDS-NG WILL NOT ACCEPT COMBINATION AS AN AWARD TYPE.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $19.2 million to THE MIL CORPORATION for work described as: INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO) - THIS AWARD IS A COMBINATION T&M/FFP TASK ORDER. FPDS-NG WILL NOT ACCEPT COMBINATION AS AN AWARD TYPE. Key points: 1. The contract provided essential IT infrastructure support to the Office of the Chief Information Officer. 2. Awarded as a combination Time & Materials/Firm-Fixed Price task order, indicating flexibility in service delivery. 3. The duration of over three years suggests a sustained need for these IT services. 4. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, implying a broad search for qualified vendors. 5. The primary service category was 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad but critical IT function. 6. The contract's value of approximately $19.2 million over its term represents a significant investment in IT operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more granular data on the services provided and market rates for similar IT infrastructure support. The combination of Time & Materials and Firm-Fixed Price elements can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully, particularly in the T&M portion. However, the duration and scope suggest a necessary function for the Department of the Interior's OCIO. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and pricing against industry standards for comparable IT support contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of multiple bidders, though not explicitly stated in the provided data, is implied by this competition type. Full and open competition generally fosters a more competitive pricing environment, allowing the government to secure services at potentially lower costs and better value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it drives down prices through market forces, ensuring that federal funds are used more efficiently for essential IT services.

Public Impact

The Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) at the Department of the Interior is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical IT infrastructure support. Services delivered likely included maintenance, upgrades, and operational support for the OCIO's IT systems and networks. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the Department of the Interior's headquarters are located. The contract supported the IT workforce within the OCIO, ensuring they had the necessary infrastructure to perform their duties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns in the Time & Materials portion if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the efficiency of the IT support provided.
The broad 'Other Computer Related Services' category could mask a wide range of activities, making detailed value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
The contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing need for these services.
The contract supported a critical function within the Department of the Interior's OCIO.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services and infrastructure support. The IT services market is highly competitive and diverse, encompassing everything from software development to network management and hardware maintenance. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on technology across all government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large IT support contracts awarded to federal agencies for similar infrastructure services.

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 impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, The MIL Corporation, is likely a larger entity, and the contract was competed broadly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the task order, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is facilitated through public contract databases like FPDS-NG, although detailed performance reports are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Infrastructure Modernization Programs
Enterprise IT Services Contracts
IT Operations and Maintenance Support
Chief Information Officer Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep in Time & Materials portion.
Broad service category may obscure specific performance issues.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $19.2 million to THE MIL CORPORATION. INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO) - THIS AWARD IS A COMBINATION T&M/FFP TASK ORDER. FPDS-NG WILL NOT ACCEPT COMBINATION AS AN AWARD TYPE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MIL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-01-26. End: 2014-07-25.

What specific IT infrastructure services were included under this contract?

The contract data categorizes the services under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' This is a broad category that can encompass a wide range of IT support functions, including but not limited to network administration, hardware and software maintenance, system integration, IT consulting, and potentially cybersecurity support. Without more specific line-item details or a statement of work, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact services. However, given it supports the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), it likely involved maintaining and enhancing the core IT infrastructure that enables the OCIO's operations and the broader Department of the Interior's IT environment.

How does the $19.2 million contract value compare to similar IT infrastructure support contracts for federal agencies?

Direct comparison of the $19.2 million value is challenging without knowing the specific scope and duration of services. However, for a contract spanning over three years (January 2011 to July 2014) and supporting a Chief Information Officer's office, this amount appears within a reasonable range for comprehensive IT infrastructure support. Large federal agencies often award multi-year IT support contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity and scale of their IT operations. Factors like the number of users supported, the criticality of the systems, and the specific technologies involved heavily influence contract value. This contract's value suggests a significant level of support was required for the Interior's OCIO.

What were the primary risks associated with this Time & Materials/Firm-Fixed Price contract type?

The primary risk associated with a Time & Materials (T&M) component in a federal contract is the potential for cost overruns. In T&M contracts, the government pays the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred, plus a fixed fee or profit. If not managed diligently with strict oversight on hours worked and material usage, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. The Firm-Fixed Price (FFP) portion mitigates this risk for specific, well-defined tasks. The combination aims to balance flexibility (T&M for uncertain scope) with cost certainty (FFP for defined scope), but effective management and monitoring are crucial to control T&M expenditures and ensure value for money.

What does the 'full and open competition' award type signify for the Department of the Interior's IT spending?

The 'full and open competition' award type signifies that the Department of the Interior sought to maximize competition by allowing all responsible sources to submit proposals. This approach is generally preferred by the government as it leverages market forces to achieve the best possible pricing and quality. For the Department's IT spending, it suggests a commitment to obtaining value for taxpayer dollars by exploring the widest possible vendor pool. This process typically leads to more competitive bids compared to sole-source or limited competition awards, potentially resulting in cost savings and access to innovative solutions.

How has federal spending on 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) evolved over time?

Federal spending on 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) has generally seen a consistent upward trend over the past two decades, reflecting the increasing digitization and reliance on IT across all government functions. Agencies continually require support for evolving technologies, cybersecurity, data management, and IT infrastructure maintenance. While specific figures fluctuate year-to-year based on agency priorities and budget allocations, the overall trajectory indicates a growing demand for these services. This trend is driven by the need to modernize legacy systems, adopt cloud computing, enhance data analytics capabilities, and bolster cybersecurity defenses against emerging threats.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: D11PS18834

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4000 MITCHELLVILLE RD STE A212, BOWIE, MD, 20716

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,161,748

Exercised Options: $22,161,748

Current Obligation: $19,168,143

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DOCCM130105CT0058DOCCM130105CT0058

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline