18 million for a website? (1)

WASHINGTON—In a major step toward developing a state-of-the-art Recovery.gov website, a contract was awarded this week to Smartronix, Inc., a Maryland information technology firm. The company will build the new website for the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, an independent agency that manages Recovery.gov and monitors spending under the $787 billion Recovery program.

The initial outlay, $9,516,324, covers many facets: redesign and construction of a new website; installation of hardware and software infrastructure; hosting and operations for the website; more robust data storage; an enhanced content-management system; and contract labor support and other features. If the Recovery Board exercises options under the contract, the cost could total $17,948,518 over a period ending in January 2014.

Smartronix, based in Hollywood, Maryland, describes itself on www.smartronix.com as “a global professional solutions provider specializing in NetOps, Cyber Security, Enterprise Software Solutions, Defense & Commercial Products, and Health IT.” The company won the contract over two other bidders, according to the General Services Administration, which made the award.

Smartronix is now working with three subcontractors: Synteractive Corporation, Washington, D.C.; TMP Government, based in McLean, Va., and New York-based KPMG.
“With the assistance of GSA,” said Earl E. Devaney, the Recovery Board chairman, “we proceeded in a careful fashion to find the best value for the taxpayers’ dollar.” He went on to say: “In the end, this website, above all else, must be user friendly and provide the public with the necessary information on how its money is being spent.”

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Updates:

6:45 pm EDT, July 20th, 2009 — Bailouts could cost U.S. $23 trillion