Interior Department's $56M IT Services Contract Awarded to TRIBALCO LLC Under Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,058,364 ($56.1M)

Contractor: Tribalco LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2017-03-10

End Date: 2018-09-12

Contract Duration: 551 days

Daily Burn Rate: $101.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: OVERSEAS CONTRACT

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $56.1 million to TRIBALCO LLC for work described as: OVERSEAS CONTRACT Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through competitive bidding process. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a robust market for IT services. 3. Risk indicators appear low given contract type and duration. 4. Performance context is within the scope of 'Other Computer Related Services'. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader IT services industry supporting government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $56 million over its period of performance is substantial. Benchmarking against similar IT services contracts within the federal government would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests that pricing was likely competitive. The firm fixed-price contract type also provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but the use of this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down prices through market forces and increasing the likelihood of selecting the best value solution.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of the Interior by providing essential IT services. Delivers 'Other Computer Related Services' to support departmental operations. Geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting the Department's various offices. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities for IT professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
Contract duration is reasonable for the scope of services.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector within the federal government is a significant market. This contract, categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519), falls within this broad sector. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts can vary widely based on scope, duration, and specific services required. The Department of the Interior, like many federal agencies, relies heavily on IT infrastructure and services to manage its vast operations.

Small Business Impact

The 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 set-aside provision. The prime contractor, TRIBALCO LLC, is responsible for its own subcontracting decisions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Related Services
Departmental Offices IT Support
Federal IT Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'Other Computer Related Services' are not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT functions.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure service quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $56.1 million to TRIBALCO LLC. OVERSEAS CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TRIBALCO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $56.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-03-10. End: 2018-09-12.

What is TRIBALCO LLC's track record with federal IT contracts?

TRIBALCO LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily within the IT and professional services domains. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, including on-time delivery, quality of service, and adherence to budget, would provide further insight into their capabilities. Specific details on their performance metrics for this particular contract (e.g., any past performance reviews or award fees) are not provided in the summary data but would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. Their experience with the Department of the Interior or other agencies requiring similar IT services would also be a key factor in evaluating their suitability and reliability.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar IT services?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details beyond the total contract value, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. To assess value for money, one would need to benchmark the per-unit costs or labor rates against industry standards for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) in the federal sector. Factors such as the specific technical expertise required, the level of support (e.g., 24/7 operations, specialized software), and the geographic location of service delivery would influence market rates. Given the firm fixed-price nature, the government has a defined cost, but its competitiveness relative to the market requires further analysis of the detailed contract line items and associated service levels.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract appear to be moderate. As a firm fixed-price contract, the risk of cost overruns is primarily borne by the contractor, TRIBALCO LLC. However, risks related to performance, such as failure to deliver services as specified, potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities, or contractor personnel issues, remain. The 'Other Computer Related Services' category is broad, and the specific nature of these services could introduce unique technical or operational risks. The contract duration of 551 days (approximately 1.5 years) is relatively short, which can mitigate long-term performance risks but may necessitate frequent re-competition or contract extensions, introducing transition risks.

How effective has TRIBALCO LLC been in delivering 'Other Computer Related Services' for the Department of the Interior?

The provided data summarizes the award details but does not contain specific performance metrics or effectiveness evaluations for TRIBALCO LLC's delivery of 'Other Computer Related Services' under this contract. Effectiveness would typically be measured by factors such as service uptime, response times, successful resolution of IT issues, user satisfaction, and adherence to security protocols. A thorough assessment would require reviewing performance reports, contractor award fee evaluations, and potentially feedback from the Department of the Interior's program managers who received the services. Without this granular performance data, the effectiveness remains an unknown.

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

The provided data focuses on a single contract award. To understand historical spending patterns for 'Other Computer Related Services' by the Department of the Interior, one would need to analyze procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve aggregating spending across all contracts awarded under NAICS code 541519 (and potentially related IT service codes) by the Department. Key trends to observe would include the total annual expenditure, the number of contracts awarded, the primary contractors receiving awards, and whether spending has been increasing or decreasing. This broader analysis would contextualize the $56 million award within the Department's overall IT budget and procurement strategy.

What is the significance of the contract type (Firm Fixed Price) for this service?

The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is significant because it establishes a ceiling price that the contractor must adhere to, regardless of their actual costs. For 'Other Computer Related Services,' an FFP contract is generally advantageous for the government when the scope of work is well-defined and the risks of cost escalation are manageable. It provides budget certainty and incentivizes the contractor to control costs efficiently. However, if the scope is highly variable or unforeseen technical challenges arise, an FFP contract could potentially lead to the contractor cutting corners on quality or service to maintain profitability, or it could result in disputes if the government requires changes outside the original scope.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7735 OLD GEORGETOWN RD FL 12, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $56,058,364

Exercised Options: $56,058,364

Current Obligation: $56,058,364

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: NNG15SC51B

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline