Commerce Opens Bidding For $1.5B IT Modernization Contract

The Commerce Department opened bidding on a contract that aims to build out a new IT infrastructure and modernize the department’s software systems and business processes.

The Commerce Acquisition for Transformational Technology Services, or CATTS contract, has a base period of one year with options that could extend the contract for up to 10 years. The single-award contract is worth up to $1.5 billion dollars, according to the Nov. 12 RFP. 

First announced in August 2021, the Commerce Office of the Chief Information Officer is looking to implement new cloud-based platforms that can deliver IT as-a-service and provide quick solution turnarounds to support business operations across the entire department. 

The contract will focus on minimizing costs related to both software and hardware updates during scheduled three-to-five year technology updates within the agency while expediting the department’s longstanding business goals. 

“Utilizing IT as a service, the DOC can position itself to meet the strategic goals, deliver its missions, and be recognized as a leader within future administrations and the federal enterprise in its use of Information Technology,” the request for proposal reads. 

The winning contractor will be required to address tasks which include supporting the Commerce’s chief information officer, digital document and records management, managed service outsourcing and consulting, IT operations and maintenance, information technology services management, and cybersecurity operation support. 

These tasks will extend throughout the agencies under Commerce once completed, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries division, the Census Bureau, the National Weather Service, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. 

CATTS will be completed through an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. The subsequent labor categories and rate ceilings proposed in the initial IDIQ will serve as the basis for future orders and changes within the contact.

The deadline for contractors to submit proposals for the CATTS contract is Jan. 17, 2022.