NASA's $22.3M IT services contract with DB Consulting Group, Inc. awarded via full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,359,883 ($22.4M)
Contractor: DB Consulting Group, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2008-08-15
End Date: 2015-05-31
Contract Duration: 2,480 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)
Sector: IT
Official Description: CODE R
Place of Performance
Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44135
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $22.4 million to DB CONSULTING GROUP, INC. for work described as: CODE R Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value. 2. The contract duration of approximately 2480 days (over 6 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 suggests a broad range of IT services were procured. 4. The award was a Delivery Order, implying it was part of a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The contract was awarded to DB Consulting Group, Inc., a company with a significant federal contract history. 6. The contract was not set aside for small businesses, indicating it was competed broadly.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $22.3 million contract is challenging without specific service details or comparable contract data. However, the duration of over six years suggests a sustained need. The pricing would need to be compared against industry standards for similar IT services during the award period to assess value for money. Given the competitive award, there's an expectation that pricing was reasonable, but without more granular data, a definitive assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that proposals were solicited from all eligible responsible sources. The fact that it was competed broadly suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically drives better pricing and service quality. The presence of 7 bidders (implied by 'no': 7) further supports this, allowing for a robust comparison of offers.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to lower prices and more innovative solutions, maximizing the return on federal investment.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which received IT services to support its operations. The services delivered likely encompassed a range of IT support, maintenance, or development, crucial for NASA's complex missions. The geographic impact is centered in Ohio (ST: OH, SN: OHIO), where the contractor is located, suggesting potential local economic benefits. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for IT professionals within DB Consulting Group, Inc. and potentially its subcontractors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific service details makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity of the IT services procured.
- The long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in or challenges in adapting to rapidly evolving IT needs if not managed carefully.
- Potential for cost overruns if the scope of work was not precisely defined or if change orders were extensive.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
- The contract was awarded to a single entity, suggesting a clear selection based on defined criteria.
- The contract was managed by NASA, an agency with significant experience in complex procurement and project oversight.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector is vast and critical to government operations. This contract falls under IT services, specifically NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services). The federal government is a major consumer of IT services, with spending often concentrated in areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, software development, and IT support. Benchmarking this $22.3 million contract requires comparison with similar IT service contracts awarded by agencies like NASA or other large federal entities during the same period.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. This means it was competed on the open market, allowing large businesses like DB Consulting Group, Inc. to compete. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. The lack of a small business set-aside suggests that the procurement was likely aimed at acquiring specialized IT services where large, experienced contractors were deemed best suited.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). As a Delivery Order under a larger IDIQ, oversight would involve monitoring performance against the specific task order requirements, ensuring timely delivery, and managing payments. NASA's contracting officers and program managers are responsible for ensuring accountability. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- NASA IT Services Contracts
- IT Professional Services
- Information Technology Support Services
- Computer Related Services Contracts
- Federal IT Procurement
Risk Flags
- Contract Duration
- Service Specificity
- Performance Metrics
Tags
it-services, nasa, ohio, delivery-order, large-business, full-and-open-competition, professional-services, computer-related-services, federal-contract, us-government
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $22.4 million to DB CONSULTING GROUP, INC.. CODE R
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DB CONSULTING GROUP, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $22.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-08-15. End: 2015-05-31.
What was the specific nature of the 'Other Computer Related Services' procured under this contract?
The provided data classifies the contract under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' This is a broad category that can encompass a wide array of IT services beyond standard software development or hardware maintenance. Examples could include IT consulting, systems integration, data processing services, IT disaster recovery, network management, or specialized IT support. Without access to the specific contract statement of work (SOW) or task order details, the precise services rendered remain unspecified. However, given NASA's mission, these services likely supported critical IT infrastructure, research computing, or mission-specific systems.
How does the awarded price of $22.3 million compare to similar IT services contracts awarded by NASA or other federal agencies during the 2008-2015 period?
Comparing the $22.3 million total value requires context regarding the contract's duration (approximately 6.8 years) and the scope of services. If this represents the total value over the entire period, the average annual value is roughly $3.28 million. To assess value, this figure should be benchmarked against similar IT services contracts (e.g., IT support, consulting, systems integration) awarded by NASA or other large federal agencies during the same timeframe. Factors like the specific services, labor categories, geographic location, and competition level influence pricing. A comprehensive analysis would involve querying federal procurement databases for comparable contracts and analyzing their average annual values and pricing structures to determine if this award was within market norms.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate DB Consulting Group, Inc.'s performance under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate DB Consulting Group, Inc.'s performance. Typically, for IT services contracts, KPIs might include metrics related to system uptime, response times for support requests, project completion rates, adherence to security protocols, user satisfaction, and budget management. NASA's contracting officers and program managers would have been responsible for monitoring these KPIs as outlined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or SOW. Regular performance reviews and contractor reporting would have been standard procedures to ensure the contractor met its obligations and delivered the required services effectively.
What is the track record of DB Consulting Group, Inc. in performing federal IT services contracts, particularly with NASA?
DB Consulting Group, Inc. has a history of performing federal IT services contracts. While the provided data indicates this specific contract with NASA, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases would reveal the full extent of their contract history, including awards from other agencies and the types of IT services provided. Their performance on past contracts, including any past performance evaluations or awards/debarments, would have been a critical factor in NASA's decision-making process during the selection for this $22.3 million award. A review of their overall federal contracting portfolio would offer insights into their experience, capabilities, and reliability in delivering IT solutions to the government.
How did the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process impact the final price and service offerings compared to a standard 'Full and Open Competition'?
The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, or specific requirements might have led to a more tailored approach than a completely unrestricted open competition. This could occur if specific technical capabilities or past performance were deemed essential, leading to a solicitation targeted at firms possessing those attributes. While still competitive, this nuance might suggest a slightly narrower field of potential bidders compared to a completely unrestricted 'Full and Open Competition.' The impact on price and service offerings would depend on how this exclusion or tailoring affected the number and quality of bids received. Generally, any form of open competition aims to achieve fair market prices and suitable service levels.
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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: OTHER (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE NONE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (3)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8403 COLESVILLE RD STE 1000, SILVER SPRING, MD, 20910
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,539,365
Exercised Options: $22,539,365
Current Obligation: $22,359,883
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNC08BA09B
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-08-15
Current End Date: 2015-05-31
Potential End Date: 2015-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2016-04-29
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