GSA Schedule purchase for IT services awarded to SRI INTERNATIONAL for $37.1M, with a 454-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,130,116 ($37.1M)

Contractor: SRI International

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2011-02-01

End Date: 2012-04-30

Contract Duration: 454 days

Daily Burn Rate: $81.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: NEW GSA SCHEDULE BUY FOR XCTC - ANG-TR

Place of Performance

Location: MENLO PARK, SAN MATEO County, CALIFORNIA, 94025

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $37.1 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL for work described as: NEW GSA SCHEDULE BUY FOR XCTC - ANG-TR Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the firm-fixed-price contract type, though detailed cost breakdowns are not provided. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these services. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract mitigating some cost overrun risks. 4. Performance context is limited to the contract duration and service type. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $37.1 million over approximately 15 months suggests a significant investment in IT services. Benchmarking against similar GSA Schedule IT procurements would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs, but without detailed cost data, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing is competitive. The award to SRI INTERNATIONAL, a known entity in research and development, implies a certain level of expected quality and expertise.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all eligible vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not detailed, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a competitive environment. This approach is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces, leading to potentially lower costs for government services.

Public Impact

The Department of the Interior benefits from access to specialized IT services. Services delivered likely include IT consulting, system integration, or other computer-related support. The geographic impact is centered around the Department of the Interior's operations, potentially nationwide. Workforce implications may involve the utilization of SRI INTERNATIONAL's personnel for IT support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
Limited transparency on specific deliverables and outcomes.
Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly, despite fixed-price structure.

Positive Signals

Awarded through GSA Schedule, indicating adherence to established procurement procedures.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
SRI INTERNATIONAL is a reputable contractor with a history of government work.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology sector, specifically under the 'Other Computer Related Services' category (NAICS 541519). This category encompasses a wide range of IT support and consulting services not elsewhere classified. The GSA Schedule is a primary vehicle for federal agencies to procure IT solutions, making this contract representative of typical IT spending within the government. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar IT services awarded through GSA Schedules or other procurement methods.

Small Business Impact

The contract indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside criterion (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the primary focus was on obtaining the best value through full and open competition, rather than specifically targeting small businesses for this particular award. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist at the discretion of the prime contractor, SRI INTERNATIONAL, but are not explicitly mandated by the contract details provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. As a GSA Schedule purchase, it adheres to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and GSA's procurement policies. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance monitoring details are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

GSA Information Technology Schedule
Department of the Interior IT Services
Other Computer Related Services Contracts
Firm Fixed Price IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if not closely monitored.
Risk of services not fully aligning with evolving technological needs.
Limited transparency on specific deliverables and success metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $37.1 million to SRI INTERNATIONAL. NEW GSA SCHEDULE BUY FOR XCTC - ANG-TR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SRI INTERNATIONAL.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $37.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-02-01. End: 2012-04-30.

What is the track record of SRI INTERNATIONAL with the Department of the Interior and for similar IT services?

SRI INTERNATIONAL has a history of performing various research, development, and technical services for government agencies, including the Department of the Interior. For IT services specifically, their track record would need to be assessed based on past performance evaluations and contract completion data. While they are a well-established research institute, the specifics of their performance on IT-related contracts, particularly those under GSA Schedules and with the DOI, would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reports. This includes examining past contract values, durations, and any documented successes or challenges in delivering 'Other Computer Related Services'.

How does the $37.1 million value compare to similar IT service contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior?

The $37.1 million contract value for IT services over approximately 15 months is a substantial award. To benchmark this effectively, one would compare it against other IT service contracts of similar scope, duration, and service type (NAICS 541519) awarded by the Department of the Interior or other agencies of comparable size and mission. GSA Schedule procurements often represent competitive pricing, but the specific market rates for 'Other Computer Related Services' can vary widely. A comparison would involve analyzing the average contract value, the number of bidders, and the final award prices for similar solicitations within the last 2-3 years to determine if this award represents a fair market price.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep, contractor performance issues, and ensuring the services delivered align with the Department of the Interior's evolving IT needs. Given the firm-fixed-price (FFP) nature of the contract, cost overrun risk for the government is relatively low, as the price is set. However, FFP contracts can sometimes lead to reduced flexibility or potential quality compromises if not carefully managed. Mitigation strategies would involve robust contract oversight, clear performance metrics and deliverables defined in the statement of work, regular progress reviews, and strong communication channels between the contracting officer's representative (COR) and SRI INTERNATIONAL.

How effective are GSA Schedule contracts in ensuring value for money for IT services?

GSA Schedule contracts are designed to provide agencies with a streamlined and competitive way to procure IT services and products. They leverage pre-negotiated pricing and terms, which can expedite the acquisition process and offer a degree of price reasonableness. The 'full and open competition' aspect of this specific award further enhances the potential for value by allowing multiple vendors to compete. However, the ultimate value for money depends on the specific services procured, the clarity of the statement of work, the effectiveness of the agency's oversight, and the contractor's performance. Continuous market analysis and comparison with other contract vehicles are still advisable to ensure optimal value.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Other Computer Related Services' by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) by the Department of the Interior (DOI) would reveal the agency's reliance on external contractors for specialized IT support. Analyzing past spending data, including contract values, durations, and the number of awards within this category, can indicate trends in IT outsourcing and investment. This analysis helps understand the typical scale of such procurements, the frequency of awards, and potentially identify key contractors or service areas that the DOI frequently engages. Understanding these patterns provides context for the current $37.1 million award, assessing whether it aligns with historical investment levels or represents a significant shift in spending.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFQ552937

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 333 RAVENSWOOD AVE, MENLO PARK, CA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,130,116

Exercised Options: $37,130,116

Current Obligation: $37,130,116

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F5537H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline