DHS FEMA Awards $4.1M for Lifecycle Process Management System MVP to Government Acquisitions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,115,353 ($4.1M)

Contractor: Government Acquisitions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2024-09-28

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LIFECYCLE PROCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20472

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.1 million to GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC for work described as: LIFECYCLE PROCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT Key points: 1. The contract focuses on developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for a critical system. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. The contract value is relatively modest for system development, potentially indicating a phased approach. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services', a common area for federal software development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The $4.1M award for a 1-year duration suggests a focused scope for the MVP. Benchmarking against similar system development contracts would require more detailed scope information, but the price appears reasonable for an initial phase.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources were excluded. This method aims for broad participation while potentially focusing on vendors with specific capabilities, impacting price discovery by narrowing the field.

Taxpayer Impact: The $4.1M investment aims to improve government processes, with the ultimate taxpayer impact depending on the system's efficiency gains and long-term cost savings.

Public Impact

Enhances FEMA's operational efficiency through a new management system. Supports critical disaster response and recovery processes. Potential for improved data management and decision-making. Modernizes federal IT infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep beyond the MVP.
Vendor lock-in concerns if not managed carefully.
Integration challenges with existing systems.

Positive Signals

Clear focus on an MVP to manage initial risk.
Competitive bidding process, even with exclusions.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically 'Other Computer Related Services'. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for modernizing legacy systems and developing new digital capabilities to support agency missions.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Government Acquisitions Inc., and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger vehicle, implying prior oversight of the base contract. The firm fixed price and defined duration provide a degree of accountability for the awarded amount.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep.
Integration complexity.
Vendor performance risk.
Reliance on specific technology stack.
Adequacy of competition despite exclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.1 million to GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC. LIFECYCLE PROCESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GOVERNMENT ACQUISITIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2024-09-28.

What specific functionalities are prioritized in this MVP to ensure maximum initial value?

The MVP likely prioritizes core functionalities essential for managing the lifecycle of processes related to FEMA's mission, such as intake, tracking, and reporting. The focus would be on delivering a usable product quickly to gather user feedback and validate key assumptions before full-scale development, ensuring immediate value and iterative improvement.

What are the primary risks associated with developing an MVP for a critical system like this?

Key risks include defining the MVP scope too narrowly, leading to insufficient functionality, or too broadly, causing delays and cost overruns. Technical risks involve integration with existing infrastructure and ensuring scalability. Furthermore, user adoption challenges and the potential for the MVP to not fully meet evolving operational needs are significant concerns.

How will the effectiveness of this MVP be measured to justify future investment?

Effectiveness will be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the system's ability to streamline specific processes, reduce manual effort, improve data accuracy, and enhance decision-making speed. User satisfaction surveys, adoption rates, and demonstrable improvements in operational metrics will be crucial for evaluating the MVP's success and informing subsequent development phases.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2060 READING ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH, 45202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,115,353

Exercised Options: $4,115,353

Current Obligation: $4,115,353

Actual Outlays: $4,115,353

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC13D00023

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline