NARA's $68.4M IT and Telecommunications Support Services contract awarded to CSA Global LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $68,410,665 ($68.4M)

Contractor: CSA Global LLC

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2009-02-27

End Date: 2014-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,980 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: Other

Official Description: NARA'S IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: COLLEGE PARK, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20740

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $68.4 million to CSA GLOBAL LLC for work described as: NARA'S IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. The contract value of $68.4 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in IT and telecommunications support. 2. Competition dynamics for this delivery order, with 11 bidders, indicate a potentially healthy market for these services. 3. The contract's duration of 1980 days (approximately 5.4 years) implies a need for sustained IT support. 4. Performance context is crucial to understand if the services delivered met NARA's evolving technological needs. 5. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code points to a broad scope of IT support beyond standard software or hardware. 6. The award was a competitive delivery order, suggesting a structured procurement process. 7. The contract was awarded to CSA Global LLC, a key player in fulfilling NARA's IT requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the $68.4 million contract value against similar IT and telecommunications support services contracts awarded by federal agencies is challenging without more specific service details. The duration of the contract (nearly 2000 days) suggests a substantial investment, but the value-for-money assessment hinges on the quality and effectiveness of the services provided. Without performance metrics or comparisons to industry benchmarks for specific IT services, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represented a good deal for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This 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 full and open competition. The presence of 11 bidders suggests a robust level of interest and a competitive environment for these types of IT and telecommunications support services. This level of competition generally aids in price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The strong competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and ensured that NARA received competitive bids for essential IT services.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) likely benefited from improved IT infrastructure and support, enabling more efficient operations. The services delivered would have encompassed a range of IT and telecommunications support, crucial for the functioning of a federal agency. The geographic impact is primarily focused on NARA's operational locations, likely concentrated in Maryland where the awardee is based. Workforce implications could include support for NARA's IT staff and potentially the use of specialized IT personnel by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the IT services provided.
The broad NAICS code (541519) for 'Other Computer Related Services' could encompass a wide range of services, making it hard to pinpoint specific areas of potential concern without further detail.
The contract's duration, while indicating sustained support, also means that potential issues or inefficiencies could persist for an extended period if not actively managed.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition with 11 bidders, indicating a healthy and competitive market for these services.
The award to CSA Global LLC suggests the contractor has the capability and capacity to meet NARA's IT and telecommunications support needs.
The competitive nature of the award process likely resulted in favorable pricing and terms for the government.

Sector Analysis

The IT and telecommunications support services sector is a critical component of federal agency operations, encompassing a wide array of services from network management to cybersecurity and help desk support. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on digital infrastructure. This contract fits within the broader category of IT professional services, where agencies procure expertise and support to maintain and upgrade their technological capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within IT services contracts awarded to similar-sized federal agencies for comparable support functions.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication from the provided data that this contract included specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. The awardee, CSA Global LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific award appears limited, though the contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors if not mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the National Archives and Records Administration's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Telecommunications Support
Computer Related Services
Federal IT Procurement
Agency IT Modernization

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the broad NAICS code.
Need for ongoing performance monitoring to ensure value for money.
Cybersecurity risks inherent in IT support contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $68.4 million to CSA GLOBAL LLC. NARA'S IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSA GLOBAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $68.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-02-27. End: 2014-07-31.

What specific IT and telecommunications services were included under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' This broad category can encompass a wide range of services, including IT consulting, systems integration, custom software development, IT support and troubleshooting, network management, and data processing services. Without the specific statement of work or contract details, it is impossible to determine the precise services rendered. However, given the 'IT and Telecommunications Support Services' description, it likely involved maintaining and enhancing NARA's IT infrastructure, ensuring network connectivity, providing technical assistance to users, and potentially managing telecommunications systems.

How does the $68.4 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by federal agencies?

Comparing the $68.4 million contract value requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services provided. For a contract spanning approximately 5.4 years (1980 days), this value averages around $12.6 million per year. This figure is within the range for significant IT support contracts awarded to federal agencies, particularly those with substantial IT infrastructure needs like NARA. However, without knowing the exact deliverables, service levels, and the specific IT functions supported, a precise benchmark is difficult. Contracts for enterprise-wide IT modernization, cybersecurity solutions, or large-scale cloud migrations could easily exceed this amount, while smaller, more focused support contracts might be significantly less.

What is the track record of CSA Global LLC in performing federal IT contracts?

Assessing CSA Global LLC's track record requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. While this specific award of $68.4 million indicates a significant contract, it's essential to look at their broader portfolio. Information from sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would reveal details about their past performance ratings, any contract disputes, and their history with various federal agencies. A positive performance history across multiple contracts would suggest reliability and capability, whereas a history of issues might raise concerns about their ability to consistently deliver quality IT support services.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how was performance measured?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or details on how performance was measured for this contract. Typically, IT support contracts include metrics related to system uptime, response times for technical support requests, resolution rates, cybersecurity compliance, and project completion timelines. NARA's contracting officers and program managers would have been responsible for monitoring CSA Global LLC's adherence to these KPIs as outlined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms would be in place to ensure the contractor met or exceeded expectations.

What is the historical spending pattern for IT and telecommunications support services at NARA?

To understand NARA's historical spending patterns for IT and telecommunications support, one would need to analyze their procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve looking at the total amount spent on IT services, the types of services procured (e.g., infrastructure, software, cybersecurity, help desk), and the primary contractors utilized. This analysis would reveal trends in NARA's IT investment, identify periods of increased or decreased spending, and highlight any shifts in their technology strategy. Understanding these patterns provides context for the $68.4 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical level of investment or a significant deviation.

Were there any identified risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not explicitly list risks associated with this contract or mitigation strategies. However, common risks in large IT support contracts include scope creep, vendor lock-in, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, performance shortfalls, and budget overruns. For this contract, potential risks might have included ensuring seamless integration of services with NARA's existing systems, maintaining data security and privacy, and adapting to evolving technological requirements over the contract's duration. Mitigation would typically involve robust contract management, clear performance expectations, regular communication, and contingency planning by both NARA and CSA Global LLC.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NAMA-09-Q-0001

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 CAMERON ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $68,557,621

Exercised Options: $68,547,621

Current Obligation: $68,410,665

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F5901H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline