DHS Awards $2.56M for Blackberry Athoc Software to Four Points Technology
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,555,394 ($2.6M)
Contractor: Four Points Technology, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2024-02-26
End Date: 2027-02-25
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THIS AWARD IS FOR BLACKBERRY ATHOC PERSONNEL EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SOFTWARE.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.6 million to FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C. for work described as: THIS AWARD IS FOR BLACKBERRY ATHOC PERSONNEL EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SOFTWARE. Key points: 1. Awarded for essential emergency notification software, highlighting critical infrastructure needs. 2. Competition method indicates a deliberate choice for full and open competition. 3. Potential risk associated with reliance on a specific vendor's software. 4. Sector focus is IT services, specifically software and related support.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.56 million for a 3-year period appears reasonable for specialized emergency notification software. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for enterprise software solutions would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process was intended. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to the best solutions available.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is designed to achieve value for taxpayer money by fostering a market-driven price.
Public Impact
Ensures critical communication capabilities for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel during emergencies. Supports operational continuity and safety for a key federal agency. The software's role in emergency notification is vital for public safety and agency response.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Vendor lock-in potential with specialized software.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical emergency services.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Supports essential government function.
Sector Analysis
This award falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on software and related services. Government spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for modernizing systems and ensuring operational efficiency.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a delivery order under a larger contract, implying prior oversight. The competitive nature of the award suggests accountability in the selection process.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Reliance on specialized software.
- Need for ongoing security updates and support.
- Ensuring continued competitive pricing in future renewals.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-homeland-security, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.6 million to FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.. THIS AWARD IS FOR BLACKBERRY ATHOC PERSONNEL EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SOFTWARE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-02-26. End: 2027-02-25.
What is the specific functionality and criticality of Blackberry Athoc software for ICE's emergency notification needs?
Blackberry Athoc is designed for secure, reliable, and rapid communication during critical events. For ICE, this likely translates to ensuring personnel can be alerted, accounted for, and coordinated during emergencies, ranging from natural disasters to security threats, thereby maintaining operational readiness and safety.
What are the long-term risks associated with relying on a specific vendor's emergency notification software?
Long-term risks include potential vendor lock-in, where switching to a different system becomes costly and complex. There's also the risk of the vendor discontinuing support, increasing prices significantly, or facing security vulnerabilities that could impact the agency's critical communication infrastructure.
How does the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method ensure effective price discovery for this software?
This method, while competitive, suggests that initial sources might have been limited, possibly due to specific technical requirements. Effective price discovery relies on the agency ensuring a robust evaluation process that compares proposals not just on price but also on technical merit and long-term value, preventing inflated costs.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 70CTD024R00000002
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 14900 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 100, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,084,630
Exercised Options: $2,555,394
Current Obligation: $2,555,394
Actual Outlays: $1,104,571
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70RDAD23D00000008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-02-26
Current End Date: 2027-02-25
Potential End Date: 2029-02-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-25
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