DHS awards $11.7M for video surveillance support, with a 351-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,672,182 ($11.7M)

Contractor: Sentrillion Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2025-04-23

End Date: 2026-04-09

Contract Duration: 351 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: BORDER SECURITY DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM CENTRALIZED AREA VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: RIO GRANDE CITY, STARR County, TEXAS, 78582

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $11.7 million to SENTRILLION CORPORATION for work described as: BORDER SECURITY DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM CENTRALIZED AREA VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of IT support services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance period is relatively short, indicating a focused operational need. 5. Services are critical for border security operations in Texas. 6. Contractor has experience in IT support, aligning with service requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $11.7 million for 351 days of support for video surveillance systems appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized IT services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for system operations and maintenance support for federal agencies indicates that pricing structures for this type of service can vary widely based on complexity and scope. However, given the fixed-price nature, the government has a clear understanding of the total cost.

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 this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency likely sought to maximize the pool of potential offerors to ensure a robust selection process.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining the best value through a competitive bidding process, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

U.S. Customs and Border Protection benefits from enhanced surveillance capabilities. Services ensure the operational readiness of critical video surveillance systems. Geographic impact is focused on border security operations within Texas. Workforce implications include the need for skilled IT personnel for maintenance and support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively bid.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical infrastructure maintenance could pose risks.
Scope creep could occur if not managed tightly within the fixed-price structure.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract limits financial risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
Contractor's experience in IT support is a positive indicator for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant segment of the IT industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of services, including the design, development, and support of computer systems. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies to maintain and upgrade their technological infrastructure, ensuring operational efficiency and security. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services vary greatly depending on the specific technologies and scale of operations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation is a requirement or a goal for this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

Border Security Technology Modernization
IT Infrastructure Support Services
Surveillance System Maintenance
Department of Homeland Security IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance degradation if maintenance is not timely or effective.
Cybersecurity risks associated with connected surveillance systems.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical operational support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $11.7 million to SENTRILLION CORPORATION. BORDER SECURITY DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM CENTRALIZED AREA VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE 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 $11.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-23. End: 2026-04-09.

What is the contractor's track record with similar federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security?

Sentrillion Corporation's track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Homeland Security, would need to be thoroughly reviewed. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their experience with providing similar surveillance system operations and maintenance support services. A review of their financial stability and capacity to handle a contract of this magnitude is also crucial. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability for this particular award.

How does the per-unit cost or overall value of this contract compare to similar IT support services for surveillance systems awarded by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking this $11.7 million contract against similar IT support services for surveillance systems requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. Factors such as the specific technologies involved (e.g., camera types, software platforms), the geographic scope of support, and the level of service required (e.g., 24/7 monitoring vs. scheduled maintenance) significantly influence pricing. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is reasonable for a 351-day period, but a detailed comparison would involve analyzing contract line item numbers (CLINs) and service level agreements of comparable contracts to identify any significant deviations in cost or scope.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential technical failures of the surveillance systems, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and contractor performance issues. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded within the contract's performance work statement (PWS) and the firm-fixed-price structure. The PWS should clearly define service level agreements and performance standards, with penalties for non-compliance. Cybersecurity requirements will be critical, necessitating robust security protocols from the contractor. The fixed-price nature inherently mitigates financial risk for the government, but operational risks remain.

How effective are the current video surveillance systems in supporting border security operations, and how will this contract contribute to that effectiveness?

The effectiveness of the current video surveillance systems is directly tied to their operational readiness, which this contract aims to ensure through operations and maintenance support. By maintaining these systems, the contract contributes to the continuity and reliability of surveillance data, which is crucial for border security operations. This includes enabling real-time monitoring, detection of illicit activities, and providing evidence for law enforcement. The contract's success will be measured by the uptime and performance of the systems it supports.

What has been the historical spending trend for similar video surveillance support services by U.S. Customs and Border Protection over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar video surveillance support services by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over the past five years would reveal patterns in investment in this area. This would help determine if the current $11.7 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of expenditure. Such analysis could indicate shifts in technology adoption, operational needs, or budget allocations for border surveillance. Understanding these trends provides context for the current contract's significance and potential future requirements.

Are there any specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in the contract to measure the success of the surveillance system operations and maintenance?

While not explicitly detailed in the provided data, contracts of this nature typically include specific performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) within the Performance Work Statement (PWS). These KPIs are crucial for measuring the success of the surveillance system operations and maintenance. Common metrics might include system uptime percentages, response times for maintenance requests, resolution times for technical issues, and the accuracy and availability of surveillance data. The contracting officer and program managers will use these KPIs to assess contractor performance and ensure the government receives the contracted value.

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: $11,672,182

Exercised Options: $11,672,182

Current Obligation: $11,672,182

Actual Outlays: $4,244,420

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B04C22A00000025

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline