DHS FEMA awards $10.6M engineering services contract to COMPASS PTS JV for regional production support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,658,511 ($10.7M)

Contractor: Compass PTS JV, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-06-01

End Date: 2024-05-30

Contract Duration: 1,459 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FY20 COMPASS PTS REGIONAL PRODUCTION SUPPORT 3-YR

Place of Performance

Location: LUSK, NIOBRARA County, WYOMING, 82225

State: Wyoming Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $10.7 million to COMPASS PTS JV, THE for work described as: FY20 COMPASS PTS REGIONAL PRODUCTION SUPPORT 3-YR Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of approximately 4 years (1459 days) indicates a significant, long-term need. 3. Engineering services are critical for supporting FEMA's regional production and operational needs. 4. The award to a joint venture may indicate a specialized capability required for this service. 5. Geographic scope appears to be Wyoming (WY), suggesting a localized but important support function.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $10.6 million over approximately four years averages to about $2.65 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar engineering services contracts for government support is challenging without more specific service details. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to higher costs if not carefully managed, as it allows for the reimbursement of allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Further analysis would be needed to compare the fixed fee and overhead rates to industry standards for comparable government contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' which is the preferred method for government procurement. This indicates that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this approach generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service quality. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests they sought the best value from the widest possible pool of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and encourages contractors to offer their best value propositions to win the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its regional operations, which will receive essential engineering support. Services delivered include regional production support, crucial for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The geographic impact is specified as Wyoming (WY), indicating support for FEMA's activities within that state. Workforce implications may include the creation or sustainment of engineering and technical jobs within the contractor's organization and potentially local subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not rigorously managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics or detailed service descriptions makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
The joint venture structure, while potentially bringing expertise, can sometimes add complexity to oversight and accountability.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust and fair bidding process.
The contract addresses a clear need for engineering services within FEMA's regional operations.
The fixed fee component of the CPFF contract provides some level of cost predictability for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330). This sector is vital for government operations, providing specialized technical expertise for infrastructure, planning, and support functions. The market for government engineering services is substantial, with agencies like FEMA relying on these services for critical mission support, particularly in areas related to disaster management and resilience. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar regional support or technical consulting services awarded by FEMA or other emergency management agencies.

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 or benefits specifically for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, COMPASS PTS JV, is a joint venture, which may itself involve larger entities, but the contract's structure does not mandate small business participation through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specific oversight mechanisms would likely include contract officers, program managers, and potentially the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) if performance issues or financial irregularities arise. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, but detailed performance reports and cost breakdowns may not be readily accessible to the public.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Disaster Relief Fund
FEMA Public Assistance Program
Department of Homeland Security - Infrastructure Protection
Engineering and Technical Services Contracts
Regional Operations Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract type requires careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.
Limited public information on the specific capabilities and past performance of the joint venture entity.
Geographic focus on a single state may limit broader applicability or scalability of support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $10.7 million to COMPASS PTS JV, THE. FY20 COMPASS PTS REGIONAL PRODUCTION SUPPORT 3-YR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMPASS PTS JV, THE.

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 $10.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-01. End: 2024-05-30.

What is the track record of COMPASS PTS JV as a contractor, particularly with FEMA or DHS?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'COMPASS PTS JV, THE' is not detailed in the provided data. As a joint venture, its performance history might be a composite of its member companies or specific to its operational history as a JV. To assess their track record, one would need to examine past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), previous contract awards to this specific JV entity, and any history of disputes or performance issues with government agencies, particularly FEMA and DHS. A lack of readily available public data on the JV's specific performance history could be a point for further investigation.

How does the estimated annual cost of $2.65 million compare to similar regional engineering support contracts?

Without specific details on the scope of 'regional production support' and the exact services rendered, a direct comparison of the estimated annual cost ($2.65 million) is difficult. Benchmarking requires identifying contracts with similar objectives, geographic scope, and service complexity. Factors such as the level of technical expertise required, the duration of support, and the specific deliverables (e.g., studies, designs, implementation oversight) heavily influence pricing. A comprehensive analysis would involve searching contract databases for comparable engineering services contracts awarded by FEMA or other agencies to assess if this rate falls within typical market ranges for similar support.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for engineering services?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is that the government may end up paying more than necessary if the contractor's costs are not well-controlled or if the 'fixed fee' is disproportionately high relative to the effort. While the fee is fixed, the 'cost' portion is reimbursable, meaning the government bears the risk of cost overruns. For engineering services, this can be exacerbated by unforeseen technical challenges or scope creep. Effective oversight, detailed cost accounting, and clear definition of allowable costs are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

What is the significance of this contract for FEMA's operational effectiveness in Wyoming?

This contract is significant for FEMA's operational effectiveness in Wyoming by providing dedicated engineering services for regional production support. This likely translates to enhanced capabilities in areas such as disaster preparedness planning, infrastructure assessment, logistical support coordination, and potentially the technical aspects of response and recovery operations within the state. Reliable engineering support ensures that FEMA can efficiently manage resources, implement mitigation strategies, and respond effectively to emergencies, thereby improving overall resilience and safety for the residents of Wyoming.

How has FEMA's spending on engineering services evolved over recent fiscal years?

Analyzing FEMA's spending on engineering services requires access to historical contract data beyond this single award. Typically, such analysis would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for contracts categorized under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541330 for Engineering Services) awarded by FEMA over multiple fiscal years. Trends might show increases or decreases in spending based on national disaster activity, shifts in agency priorities, or changes in contracting strategies. Understanding these historical patterns provides context for the current $10.6 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical investment or a significant deviation.

What is the potential impact of the joint venture structure on contract performance and oversight?

A joint venture (JV) structure for this contract, COMPASS PTS JV, can have mixed impacts. Positively, it allows two or more entities to pool resources, expertise, and capabilities, potentially offering a more comprehensive solution than a single firm could provide. This is often utilized for complex or large-scale requirements. However, it can also introduce complexities in management, communication, and accountability. Oversight needs to ensure clear lines of responsibility between JV partners and effective coordination. Performance assessment must consider the JV's collective output, and financial oversight needs to track costs and fees across the JV structure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 675 N WASHINGTON ST STE 300, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,658,511

Exercised Options: $10,658,511

Current Obligation: $10,658,511

Actual Outlays: $711,542

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $259,486

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFE6015D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline