Accenture Federal Services awarded $41.4M for IT support, highlighting a need for specialized computer services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,426,932 ($41.4M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2013-09-26

End Date: 2017-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,251 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF THIS BPA CALL IS FOR COMPUTER RELATED SERVICES TO SUPPORT ILMS ACQUISITIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $41.4 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF THIS BPA CALL IS FOR COMPUTER RELATED SERVICES TO SUPPORT ILMS ACQUISITIONS. Key points: 1. The contract value of $41.4 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in IT support. 2. The firm fixed-price contract type indicates that the government has a clear understanding of the scope and cost. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process. 4. The duration of 1251 days suggests a long-term need for these services. 5. The NAICS code 541519 points to a broad category of 'Other Computer Related Services', requiring further detail on specific deliverables. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of State, indicating its use in supporting diplomatic and foreign affairs functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $41.4 million for computer-related services over approximately 3.5 years appears reasonable given the scope of supporting IT acquisitions. Without specific performance metrics or detailed deliverables, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature suggests cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies would provide a more precise valuation, but the overall investment aligns with the complexity of supporting large-scale IT initiatives.

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,' which is a form of full and open competition. This indicates that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific details of how many bidders participated and the range of bids received are not provided, but the competitive nature of the award process is a positive signal for price discovery and potentially achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price reductions and encouraging innovative solutions from multiple vendors, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the IT acquisition teams within the Department of State, who receive enhanced support for their operations. The services delivered are crucial for the effective functioning and modernization of the Department's IT infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of State's operational areas, likely supporting both domestic and international missions. Workforce implications include the potential for Accenture Federal Services to utilize skilled IT professionals, indirectly supporting the federal IT workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
The broad NAICS code 'Other Computer Related Services' could mask a wide range of service types, potentially leading to scope creep or misaligned expectations if not clearly defined.
The contract's duration, while indicating a long-term need, also means a significant portion of IT support is outsourced, potentially impacting internal capability development.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process that likely yielded competitive pricing.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, reducing the risk of budget overruns.
Accenture Federal Services is a well-established contractor with a significant presence in the federal IT space, suggesting a level of experience and reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services. The IT services market for the federal government is substantial, with agencies constantly seeking support for complex acquisition processes, system integration, and modernization efforts. This contract likely supports the Department of State's efforts to manage and procure IT solutions essential for its global operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing IT support contracts across various federal agencies with similar mission requirements.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the 'sb' (small business) flag is false and the 'ss' (small business set-aside) flag is also false. This suggests the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, unless Accenture Federal Services engages small businesses as subcontractors. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of State. As a firm fixed-price contract, oversight would focus on ensuring deliverables meet the defined scope and quality standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Department of State IT Modernization Programs
Federal Civilian Agency IT Support Services
IT Acquisition and Procurement Support
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the broad 'Other Computer Related Services' category.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration may impact long-term internal IT capabilities.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in public data hinders assessment of value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $41.4 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. IGF::OT::IGF THIS BPA CALL IS FOR COMPUTER RELATED SERVICES TO SUPPORT ILMS ACQUISITIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $41.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-26. End: 2017-02-28.

What specific computer-related services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with the Department of State's IT acquisition needs?

The contract, identified by NAICS code 541519 ('Other Computer Related Services'), was a BPA Call supporting ILMS (Integrated Logistics Management System) acquisitions for the Department of State. While the specific services are not detailed in the provided data, this category typically encompasses a wide range of IT support, including but not limited to, IT system analysis, design, development, integration, and maintenance. For ILMS acquisitions, this could involve support for software development lifecycle, system testing, data migration, cybersecurity integration, and technical consulting related to the logistics management systems. The 'BPA CALL' designation indicates it was a task order issued against an existing Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA), suggesting a pre-negotiated framework for services and pricing, which was then utilized for specific needs related to ILMS.

How does the $41.4 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by the Department of State or other federal agencies?

The $41.4 million contract value for Accenture Federal Services, spanning from September 2013 to February 2017 (approximately 3.5 years), represents a significant investment. To benchmark this, one would compare it to other IT support and services contracts awarded by the Department of State or agencies with similar IT infrastructure and acquisition complexities, such as the Department of Defense or Homeland Security. For instance, contracts for IT system integration, software development, or comprehensive IT support services for large federal agencies often range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars over similar periods. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, and the value appears commensurate with supporting complex IT acquisition efforts for a major federal agency. A precise comparison would require analyzing contracts with identical NAICS codes and service descriptions.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of Accenture Federal Services' performance under this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate Accenture Federal Services' performance. However, for a firm fixed-price contract supporting IT acquisitions, typical performance evaluation would likely focus on adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables (e.g., documentation, system functionality, integration success), responsiveness to tasking, and overall customer satisfaction. The Department of State's program office would have been responsible for monitoring these aspects. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data makes a detailed assessment of performance effectiveness challenging without access to the full contract documentation or performance reports.

What is Accenture Federal Services' track record with the Department of State and other federal agencies for similar IT support contracts?

Accenture Federal Services (AFS) has a substantial track record of performing IT support and professional services for the Department of State and numerous other federal agencies. AFS is a major government contractor known for its capabilities in areas such as IT modernization, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and systems integration. For the Department of State specifically, AFS has been involved in various initiatives, including IT infrastructure upgrades and support for critical systems. Their extensive experience suggests a deep understanding of federal procurement processes and agency-specific requirements. This particular contract, supporting ILMS acquisitions, aligns with AFS's broader portfolio of IT services aimed at enhancing government operational efficiency and technological capabilities.

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

While the provided data does not explicitly detail risks and mitigation strategies for this specific contract, common risks in IT support contracts include scope creep, technical challenges, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and contractor performance issues. Given this was a firm fixed-price contract for IT acquisition support, risks might have included the complexity of the ILMS system, integration challenges with existing State Department systems, and ensuring timely delivery of services. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management, clear definition of requirements, regular progress reviews, and strong communication channels between the government and the contractor. The 'full and open competition' aspect also helps mitigate risks by selecting a contractor deemed capable and competitive.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Accenture Public Limited Company

Address: 800 NORTH GLEBE RD #300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $41,426,932

Exercised Options: $41,426,932

Current Obligation: $41,426,932

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $530,883

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA09A0173

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline