DHS awards $11.3M for HR micro-applications, with ICE seeking scalable task initiation solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,290,728 ($11.3M)

Contractor: DEV Technology Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: IT

Official Description: ISSUE TASK ORDER- HUMAN RESOURCES SUITE OF MICRO APPLICATIONS (HRSMA)- COLLABORATION SERVICES DOMAIN SCALABLE WAYS TO INITIATE FLEXIBLE TASKS (SWIFT)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20536

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $11.3 million to DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC for work described as: ISSUE TASK ORDER- HUMAN RESOURCES SUITE OF MICRO APPLICATIONS (HRSMA)- COLLABORATION SERVICES DOMAIN SCALABLE WAYS TO INITIATE FLEXIBLE TASKS (SWIFT) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on enhancing HR processes through a suite of micro-applications. 2. Emphasis on 'SWIFT' initiative suggests a need for agile and flexible task management. 3. DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC selected for this IT services contract. 4. Contract duration of approximately two years indicates a medium-term project. 5. The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code points to a broad scope of IT support. 6. Delivery order under a larger contract structure implies potential for future task orders. 7. Service is geographically focused on the District of Columbia.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.3 million for a two-year period for HR micro-applications and collaboration services appears within a reasonable range for specialized IT development. Benchmarking against similar contracts for custom HR software development or IT service delivery for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific details on the scope of 'SWIFT' and the complexity of the HR micro-applications, a precise value assessment is challenging. However, the labor hours contract type suggests costs are tied to effort expended.

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 offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but the full and open nature suggests a competitive process was intended. This approach generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer from a wide pool of potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, potentially leading to cost savings and better service delivery.

Public Impact

Federal employees within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are the primary beneficiaries, gaining improved HR tools. The contract delivers IT services focused on developing and implementing HR micro-applications and collaboration tools. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, where ICE personnel are likely located. Workforce implications include the potential for enhanced productivity and efficiency for HR staff and other employees utilizing the new systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Scope creep risk due to the broad nature of 'Other Computer Related Services'.
Potential for cost overruns if labor hours are not managed effectively.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical HR IT infrastructure.
Integration challenges with existing ICE IT systems.
Ensuring data security and privacy for sensitive HR information.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Focus on modernizing HR functions with micro-applications can improve efficiency.
The 'SWIFT' initiative implies a forward-thinking approach to task management.
Clear contract end date provides a defined project lifecycle.
DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC's selection may indicate a proven track record in similar IT services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically under IT professional services. The market for custom software development and IT support for federal agencies is substantial, with numerous companies offering a wide range of capabilities. The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' encompasses a broad spectrum of IT activities, including custom software development, IT consulting, and system integration. Spending in this category is driven by the government's continuous need to modernize its IT infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and enhance cybersecurity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this specific award is likely minimal unless DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC engages them as subcontractors. The subcontracting plan, if any, would determine the extent of small business participation. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the broader impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officer and program managers. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, performance metrics, and delivery schedules. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security may have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues arise regarding fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

HR Information Systems
Custom Software Development
IT Professional Services
Cloud-Based Collaboration Tools
Federal IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to broad NAICS code.
Labor hours contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Integration risks with existing ICE IT infrastructure.
Data security and privacy concerns for HR data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $11.3 million to DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC. ISSUE TASK ORDER- HUMAN RESOURCES SUITE OF MICRO APPLICATIONS (HRSMA)- COLLABORATION SERVICES DOMAIN SCALABLE WAYS TO INITIATE FLEXIBLE TASKS (SWIFT)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC.

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 $11.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific functionality and expected benefit of the 'SWIFT' (Scalable Ways to Initiate Flexible Tasks) initiative within the HR micro-applications suite?

The 'SWIFT' initiative, as described, aims to provide scalable and flexible ways to initiate tasks within the Human Resources Suite of Micro Applications (HRSMA). While the provided data does not detail the specific functionalities, it suggests a focus on improving the agility and efficiency of HR-related workflows. This could involve streamlining the process for requesting HR services, onboarding new employees, managing leave requests, or initiating other HR-dependent processes. The scalability aspect implies that the system should be able to handle varying volumes of task initiations without performance degradation. The expected benefit is a more responsive and user-friendly HR service delivery model for federal employees, reducing administrative burden and improving overall employee experience.

How does the $11.3 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for HR IT solutions or custom software development over a two-year period?

The $11.3 million contract value for a two-year period for HR micro-applications and collaboration services is a moderate investment for a federal IT project. Benchmarking requires comparing it to contracts with similar scope, complexity, and agency size. For instance, contracts for developing custom HR management systems or implementing enterprise-wide IT solutions can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale. Given this contract is for a 'suite of micro-applications' and 'collaboration services,' it suggests a more targeted or modular approach rather than a full-scale HRIS replacement. Without more granular details on the specific modules and services, a precise value-for-money assessment against market rates is difficult, but it appears to be within a plausible range for specialized IT development for a federal agency like ICE.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics that will be used to measure the success of DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC's performance under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, typical KPIs for IT development and service contracts of this nature would likely include metrics related to system uptime and availability, task completion rates within defined service level agreements (SLAs), user satisfaction scores, defect resolution times, and adherence to project milestones and budget. For the 'SWIFT' initiative, KPIs might also focus on the reduction in time taken to initiate HR-related tasks or the number of tasks processed per unit of time. Performance will also be assessed against the successful delivery of the HR micro-applications suite as defined in the contract's statement of work.

What is DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC's track record with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or similar federal agencies for delivering IT services, particularly in HR or custom application developm

DEV TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC has a history of contracting with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While the specific details of their past performance on HR IT solutions or custom application development for DHS are not provided in this data snippet, their selection for this contract suggests they possess relevant experience and capabilities. A deeper dive into their contract history with DHS and other agencies, including past performance reviews and contract awards in similar service categories (like NAICS 541519), would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Their ability to win a full and open competition award indicates they met the government's requirements and were deemed a capable provider.

Are there any potential risks associated with the 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) classification, and how might they be mitigated?

The NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services,' is broad and can encompass a wide array of IT activities, which presents a risk of scope creep if not clearly defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). This ambiguity could lead to unforeseen costs or delays if the contractor's interpretation of 'related services' expands beyond the agency's initial intent. Mitigation strategies include a meticulously detailed SOW that clearly outlines deliverables, specific services included, and exclusions. Regular progress reviews, strong project management, and clear communication channels between the agency and the contractor are crucial for ensuring alignment and managing expectations. Defining specific milestones and acceptance criteria for each phase of the project also helps in controlling the scope and ensuring the delivered services meet the intended purpose.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70CTD024R00000006

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11480 COMMERCE PARK DR, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $81,920,378

Exercised Options: $11,290,728

Current Obligation: $11,290,728

Actual Outlays: $3,608,464

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70CTD022D00000010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline