State Dept. Spent $15M on Consolidated Visa System via Competitive Delivery Order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,970,186 ($15.0M)
Contractor: Csra LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2008-10-01
End Date: 2011-04-30
Contract Duration: 941 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.9K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: CONSOLIDATED VISA SYSTEM
Place of Performance
Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $15.0 million to CSRA LLC for work described as: CONSOLIDATED VISA SYSTEM Key points: 1. The Department of State awarded a $15M contract for the Consolidated Visa System. 2. The contract was awarded competitively, suggesting potential for good price discovery. 3. The system's purpose is likely to streamline visa processing and enhance security. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing could pose a risk if not managed closely.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15M over approximately 2.6 years is moderate. Benchmarking against similar IT system development contracts would be necessary to fully assess value, but the Time and Materials pricing model warrants careful monitoring for cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating multiple bids were likely considered. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, though the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure can sometimes lead to higher costs if not strictly managed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were used for this IT system. While competition is positive, the T&M pricing requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent unnecessary expenditure.
Public Impact
Impacts visa application processing efficiency and potentially national security. Affects individuals applying for visas to enter the United States. Supports the Department of State's operational capabilities in managing international travel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns.
- Contract duration is significant, requiring sustained oversight.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded competitively.
- Contract supports a critical government function.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Spending benchmarks for similar government IT system development and maintenance contracts would provide context for the $15M award.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Efforts to ensure small businesses have opportunities in future procurements of this nature could be explored.
Oversight & Accountability
The competitive nature of the award is a positive oversight signal. However, the Time and Materials pricing necessitates robust government oversight to control costs and ensure the system is delivered within budget and scope.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
- Need for detailed performance metrics to confirm effectiveness.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-state, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $15.0 million to CSRA LLC. CONSOLIDATED VISA SYSTEM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CSRA LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-10-01. End: 2011-04-30.
What was the final cost compared to the initial estimate, and how did the T&M pricing impact the final expenditure?
Without access to the final expenditure data and detailed cost breakdowns, it's impossible to definitively state the final cost relative to estimates or the precise impact of T&M pricing. However, T&M contracts inherently carry a risk of exceeding initial projections if not meticulously managed, monitored, and controlled by the contracting officer.
What specific risks were identified and mitigated during the contract's performance, particularly concerning the T&M structure?
The primary risk associated with Time and Materials contracts is the potential for uncontrolled cost escalation. Effective mitigation would involve stringent monitoring of labor hours and rates, clear definition of 'materials', regular progress reviews, and potentially establishing cost ceilings or fixed-price components for specific tasks within the larger project.
How effectively did the Consolidated Visa System improve visa processing efficiency and security compared to pre-contract systems?
Assessing the effectiveness requires performance metrics and user feedback post-implementation. While the contract aimed to improve efficiency and security, quantitative data on processing times, error rates, and security enhancements would be needed to determine the actual impact and value delivered to the Department of State and the public.
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
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3170 FAIRVIEW PARK DR, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,164,347
Exercised Options: $15,164,347
Current Obligation: $14,970,186
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F4381G
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-10-01
Current End Date: 2011-04-30
Potential End Date: 2011-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-08-31
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