DHS awards $28M contract for IT support, including cybersecurity and process management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,079,286 ($28.1M)

Contractor: Ardent Management Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-06-16

End Date: 2025-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,552 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CONTRACTOR WILL SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES FOR INTERNAL CONTROLS, MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT, AND SUPPORT FOR INFORMATION SECURITY, PRODUCTION MONITORING AND PROCESS SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22153

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $28.1 million to ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: CONTRACTOR WILL SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES FOR INTERNAL CONTROLS, MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT, AND SUPPORT FOR INFORMATION SECURITY, PRODUCTION MONITORING AND PROCESS SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical areas like internal controls, management oversight, and information security. 2. The award was made under a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of over 1500 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 5. The contractor, Ardent Management Consulting, LLC, is tasked with supporting organizational processes. 6. This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services, a common category for IT support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $28 million over roughly four years appears reasonable for comprehensive IT support services, including cybersecurity and process management. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support and consulting services within federal agencies suggests this pricing is within an expected range. The firm fixed-price structure provides a degree of cost control, although the specific value-for-money will depend on the quality and effectiveness of the services delivered by Ardent Management Consulting, LLC.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' mechanism, indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple bids were likely considered. With 7 bidders participating, the competition level appears healthy, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The exclusion of sources clause might suggest specific requirements that narrowed the field slightly but still allowed for broad participation.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process with multiple bidders generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging contractors to offer their best value. This approach helps ensure that government funds are used efficiently and that the selected contractor provides services at a competitive market rate.

Public Impact

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will benefit from enhanced internal controls, management oversight, and information security. The contract supports critical IT infrastructure and operational processes essential for border security and trade facilitation. Services include production monitoring and process support, aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The contract is managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), indicating a national-level impact. Workforce implications may include the need for skilled IT professionals to support these complex functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on contractor performance for critical IT functions.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving cybersecurity threats and best practices.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Long contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for stable support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant segment of the federal IT market. This sector encompasses a wide range of services, from custom software development to IT management and consulting. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need to maintain and modernize complex IT systems across various agencies. The market is characterized by a mix of large prime contractors and specialized small businesses, with competition often intense for significant awards like this one.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the primary awardee is Ardent Management Consulting, LLC, the specific details regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses are not provided in this summary. However, given the nature of large federal IT contracts, there is often an expectation or requirement for prime contractors to engage small businesses for a portion of the work, contributing to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Accountability measures would typically involve performance metrics, regular reporting, and contract reviews. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and public reporting, although specific internal oversight processes are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

DHS IT Modernization Initiatives
CBP Information Technology Support Services
Federal Cybersecurity Contracts
Management and Consulting Services
Computer Systems Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues
Cybersecurity risks
Scope management challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $28.1 million to ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC. CONTRACTOR WILL SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES FOR INTERNAL CONTROLS, MANAGEMENT OVERSIGHT, AND SUPPORT FOR INFORMATION SECURITY, PRODUCTION MONITORING AND PROCESS SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC.

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 $28.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-16. End: 2025-09-15.

What is the track record of Ardent Management Consulting, LLC with federal contracts, particularly within DHS?

Ardent Management Consulting, LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, including work with the Department of Homeland Security. Analyzing their past performance on similar IT support, cybersecurity, and management consulting contracts is crucial. Key indicators include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of services rendered, and any past performance issues or commendations. A review of their contract history would reveal their experience level and reliability in fulfilling government requirements. For this specific contract, understanding their prior engagement with CBP or similar agencies would provide further insight into their suitability and potential risks.

How does the $28 million contract value compare to similar IT support contracts awarded by DHS or CBP?

The $28 million contract value for Ardent Management Consulting, LLC appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive IT support services, including cybersecurity and process management, over a period of approximately four years. To provide a precise benchmark, one would compare this award to other firm-fixed-price contracts of similar scope and duration awarded by DHS and CBP for computer systems design services. Factors such as the number of bidders, the specific technical requirements, and the level of security involved can influence pricing. Generally, a competitive process with multiple bidders, as indicated here (7 bidders), tends to result in more market-aligned pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and the possibility of cost overruns if the scope is not well-managed, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by CBP, clearly defined performance metrics and deliverables, regular progress reviews, and adherence to strict cybersecurity protocols. The contractor's past performance and the competitive nature of the award also serve as risk-reduction factors. Ensuring clear communication channels and a strong working relationship between the government and the contractor is vital for proactive risk management.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method in ensuring value for taxpayers?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method aims to balance broad market participation with specific agency needs. By allowing full and open competition initially and then potentially excluding certain sources based on defined criteria, the government seeks to ensure a competitive environment while also ensuring that bidders meet essential qualifications. This approach can lead to value for taxpayers by fostering competition that drives down prices and encourages innovation. However, the effectiveness hinges on the clarity and justification of the source exclusions; overly restrictive exclusions could limit competition and potentially increase costs.

What is the historical spending trend for similar IT support services at CBP or DHS?

Historical spending trends for similar IT support services at CBP and DHS are generally characterized by consistent and significant investment. Agencies like DHS rely heavily on IT infrastructure for their core missions, including border security, immigration, and emergency management. Spending in areas like computer systems design, cybersecurity, and management consulting has typically been robust and often increases with evolving technological demands and security threats. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services would reveal patterns in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured, providing context for the current $28 million award.

What are the implications of the 1552-day contract duration on service continuity and potential contractor lock-in?

A contract duration of 1552 days (approximately 4.25 years) suggests a long-term, strategic need for the services provided by Ardent Management Consulting, LLC. This extended period can ensure service continuity and allow the contractor to develop deep expertise in supporting CBP's organizational processes and IT systems. However, it also necessitates careful management to prevent contractor 'lock-in,' where the agency becomes overly dependent on a single provider, potentially hindering future flexibility or cost-saving opportunities. Regular performance reviews and market analysis are important to ensure continued value throughout the contract's life.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70B04C20Q00000139

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5110 S YALE AVE STE 310, TULSA, OK, 74135

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,643,879

Exercised Options: $28,079,286

Current Obligation: $28,079,286

Actual Outlays: $21,593,223

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200199W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline