DHS awards $41.5M to MITRE for Border Patrol R&D, raising competition concerns
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,498,288 ($41.5M)
Contractor: THE Mitre Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2023-03-29
End Date: 2026-03-23
Contract Duration: 1,090 days
Daily Burn Rate: $38.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: U. S. BORDER PATROL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $41.5 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION for work described as: U. S. BORDER PATROL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Significant contract value for R&D services. 2. Sole-source award to MITRE Corporation limits competition. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure. 4. Focus on physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can incentivize cost escalation. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns, but the fee percentage will be a key indicator of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning no other vendors were considered. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to a higher price than if full and open competition had been pursued.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these program management and technical support services.
Public Impact
Impacts border security technology development. Limited transparency due to sole-source award. Potential for innovation to be stifled without competitive pressure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Award to established R&D entity (MITRE)
- Long-term contract duration for program stability
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but significant sole-source awards warrant scrutiny for efficiency and innovation.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no specific set-aside for small businesses, and the sole-source nature of the award to MITRE Corporation suggests limited opportunities for small business prime contractors on this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award requires strong justification from the Department of Homeland Security to ensure it serves the best interests of the government and taxpayers. Robust internal oversight is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Potential for reduced innovation due to lack of competitive pressure.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $41.5 million to THE MITRE CORPORATION. U. S. BORDER PATROL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE MITRE CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $41.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-29. End: 2026-03-23.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract sole-source to The MITRE Corporation, and how does it align with federal procurement regulations for non-competitive awards?
Federal regulations permit sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. For this contract, the justification likely centers on MITRE's unique capabilities, existing knowledge of the program, or specific expertise required for the Border Patrol's complex R&D needs. A thorough review of the Justification and Approval (J&A) document is necessary to assess its validity and compliance.
How will the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure be managed to ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns, given the R&D nature of the work?
Effective management of a CPFF contract for R&D requires stringent oversight of allowable costs and the fixed fee. The agency must establish clear performance metrics and milestones. Regular audits and reviews of MITRE's expenditures are essential. The fixed fee should be negotiated based on a realistic assessment of the effort required, and any changes to the scope of work must be carefully evaluated for their impact on costs and the fee.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure the effectiveness of the R&D program?
Key performance indicators for this R&D contract should focus on tangible outcomes and advancements relevant to border patrol operations. This could include the successful development and testing of new technologies, improvements in system efficiency, or the generation of actionable research findings. The contract should clearly define how these KPIs will be measured, reported, and evaluated to ensure the program's effectiveness and deliver value to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7515 COLSHIRE DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $44,909,288
Exercised Options: $41,498,288
Current Obligation: $41,498,288
Actual Outlays: $31,414,088
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $170,499
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70RSAT20D00000001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-29
Current End Date: 2026-03-23
Potential End Date: 2026-03-23 07:56:17
Last Modified: 2026-02-20
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