DHS awards $15.1M for video surveillance support, raising questions on value and competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,098,012 ($15.1M)
Contractor: Sentrillion Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2024-09-27
End Date: 2026-09-26
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: BORDER SECURITY DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM CENTRALIZED AREA VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: LORTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22079
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $15.1 million to SENTRILLION CORPORATION for work described as: BORDER SECURITY DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM CENTRALIZED AREA VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized IT support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and the long-term need for these specific services. 4. This contract supports critical border security infrastructure. 5. The services fall within the broader IT and computer systems design sector. 6. The contract duration is two years, with potential for extensions.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $15.1 million over two years for centralized area video surveillance systems support services appears within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for system design and support is difficult without more granular data on the scope of work and specific technologies involved. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has a defined scope and the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be favorable. Further analysis would be needed to compare the per-unit cost of specific services or support hours to market rates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the use of this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the most advantageous offer. The agency's choice of full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide suitable solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among potential contractors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), enhancing their operational capabilities. The services delivered include support for centralized area video surveillance systems, crucial for border security. The geographic impact is likely focused on border regions where these surveillance systems are deployed. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT technicians and support staff for the surveillance systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific bidder count limits assessment of true competition intensity.
- Performance metrics and success criteria for the surveillance system support are not detailed.
- Long-term sustainment costs for the video surveillance systems are not explicitly addressed in this award.
- Potential for scope creep if system requirements evolve significantly during the contract period.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
- Full and open competition promotes a wider range of potential solutions and competitive pricing.
- The contract supports a critical national security mission for border protection.
- The selected contractor, SENTRILLION CORPORATION, will be providing essential IT support services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under Computer Systems Design Services. The market for IT support and surveillance system integration is robust, driven by increasing demand for advanced security and monitoring solutions across government and private sectors. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar surveillance system support contracts can vary widely based on system complexity, scale, and geographic deployment. The overall IT services market is substantial, with significant government investment in modernization and security.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The primary contractor, SENTRILLION CORPORATION, will be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements. The impact on the small business ecosystem is indirect, as opportunities may arise if the prime contractor chooses to subcontract with small businesses for specific components or services, though this is not mandated by the contract terms.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, which provides basic details. The Inspector General for DHS may conduct audits or investigations if performance issues or potential fraud are identified.
Related Government Programs
- Border Security Technology Modernization
- CBP Surveillance Systems Procurement
- DHS IT Infrastructure Support
- National Defense Information Technology Services
- Federal Law Enforcement Technology Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for performance issues impacting critical border security operations.
- Risk of technological obsolescence in a rapidly evolving IT landscape.
- Long-term cost-effectiveness and sustainment needs require ongoing evaluation.
Tags
it, defense, homeland-security, department-of-homeland-security, u-s-customs-and-border-protection, sentrillion-corporation, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, computer-systems-design-services, surveillance-systems, border-security, virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $15.1 million to SENTRILLION CORPORATION. BORDER SECURITY DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM CENTRALIZED AREA VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SENTRILLION 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 $15.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2026-09-26.
What is the track record of SENTRILLION CORPORATION in providing similar video surveillance support services to federal agencies?
SENTRILLION CORPORATION has a history of performing IT and technical support services for various government entities. While specific details on their experience with large-scale, centralized area video surveillance systems for border security are not immediately available from this award notice alone, their past performance in related IT domains would be a key factor in the agency's decision-making process. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any debriefings from previous solicitations would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability in this specialized area. Agencies typically review contractor past performance as a significant evaluation criterion.
How does the $15.1 million contract value compare to similar video surveillance support contracts awarded by DHS or other agencies?
Benchmarking the $15.1 million contract value requires a detailed comparison of the scope of work, duration, and specific technologies involved. Without granular data on the number of cameras supported, the complexity of the system architecture, the level of maintenance required, and the specific geographic areas covered, a direct comparison is challenging. However, for a two-year support contract for a centralized video surveillance system, this figure appears to be within a reasonable range, especially considering the critical nature of border security and the specialized IT expertise required. Similar contracts for large-scale surveillance systems can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on scale and complexity.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential contractor underperformance, technological obsolescence of the surveillance systems, and the long-term cost-effectiveness of the chosen solution. Contractor underperformance could lead to gaps in surveillance coverage or system downtime, impacting border security operations. Technological obsolescence is a constant concern in IT, and the contract's two-year duration may mitigate this somewhat, but future upgrades will be necessary. Mitigation strategies include the firm-fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently, and the agency's oversight. Clear performance standards and regular reviews are crucial for managing these risks. The agency's selection process, including evaluation of past performance, also aims to mitigate contractor-related risks.
What is the expected effectiveness of the video surveillance systems supported under this contract in enhancing border security?
The effectiveness of the video surveillance systems hinges on several factors beyond just the support services. These include the quality and coverage of the cameras, the integration with other border security technologies (e.g., sensors, communication systems), the analytical capabilities of the software used for monitoring and threat detection, and the responsiveness of personnel to alerts. This contract focuses on the 'support services' aspect, ensuring the systems are operational, maintained, and functioning as designed. Therefore, its direct contribution to effectiveness is in maintaining system uptime and performance. The ultimate effectiveness in enhancing border security will depend on how well the supported systems integrate into the broader CBP operational framework and how personnel utilize the information generated.
How has federal spending on border security technology, specifically surveillance systems, trended in recent years?
Federal spending on border security technology, including surveillance systems, has generally trended upwards over the past decade, driven by evolving threats, technological advancements, and policy priorities. Agencies like DHS and CBP consistently allocate significant portions of their budgets to acquiring, deploying, and maintaining advanced surveillance capabilities, encompassing fixed cameras, mobile units, sensors, and data analytics platforms. This trend reflects a strategic shift towards leveraging technology to enhance situational awareness, improve response times, and secure vast and often challenging terrains. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on appropriations and program needs, the overall investment in this area remains a high priority.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 117 S 1ST ST STE 101, SIERRA VISTA, AZ, 85635
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,000,000
Exercised Options: $15,098,012
Current Obligation: $15,098,012
Actual Outlays: $1,375,504
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70B04C22A00000025
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-27
Current End Date: 2026-09-26
Potential End Date: 2026-09-26 11:49:34
Last Modified: 2025-09-30
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