DHS awarded $2.4M for Risk Map Production and Technical Services to Compass PTS JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,396,440 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Compass PTS JV, the

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2018-06-29

End Date: 2022-09-09

Contract Duration: 1,533 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REGION III FY18 RISKMAP PRODUCTION&TECHNICAL SERVICES (PTS) TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.4 million to COMPASS PTS JV, THE for work described as: REGION III FY18 RISKMAP PRODUCTION&TECHNICAL SERVICES (PTS) TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services related to risk mapping. 2. The contract duration spans over 4 years. 3. The award was made under full and open competition. 4. The contractor is Compass PTS JV, LLC. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee. 6. The task order was issued by FEMA, part of DHS.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $2.4 million for a period of over 4 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking this against similar engineering services contracts for risk mapping and technical support would be necessary to fully assess value for money. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure allows for performance-based incentives, which can be effective if well-managed, but also carries a risk of cost overruns if performance metrics are not rigorously applied. Without specific performance data or comparable contract pricing, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specific task order. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions. However, the specific nature of risk mapping and technical services might limit the pool of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it promotes competitive pricing and encourages contractors to offer their best value. This approach helps ensure that government funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Homeland Security and its agencies, such as FEMA, who will receive enhanced risk mapping products and technical support. Services delivered include the production of risk maps and associated technical services, crucial for disaster preparedness and response planning. The geographic impact is likely national, given the nature of federal risk assessment, with a specific mention of Virginia (VA) as the state associated with the award. Workforce implications may include specialized engineering and technical roles within the contracting company, Compass PTS JV.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type can lead to higher costs if award criteria are not strictly defined and monitored.
Limited competition (2 bids) might indicate potential for higher pricing than a more robustly competed contract.
The long duration of the contract (over 4 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value and performance.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, maximizing potential for competitive pricing.
The contractor, Compass PTS JV, is a joint venture, potentially bringing together diverse expertise.
The contract includes award fees, incentivizing strong performance from the contractor.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330). The market for risk mapping and technical support services is driven by government needs for disaster management, infrastructure assessment, and national security. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on perceived threats and funding priorities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar geospatial analysis, risk assessment, and technical support services, particularly those awarded by agencies like FEMA, NOAA, or the Army Corps of Engineers.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses are unlikely to be direct recipients of this award. However, the joint venture structure of the prime contractor, Compass PTS JV, might involve subcontracting opportunities. The extent to which small businesses participate will depend on the subcontracting plan, if any, developed by the joint venture.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a Cost Plus Award Fee contract, rigorous monitoring of performance metrics and cost expenditures is crucial. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and potentially through public contract databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Risk Mapping Program
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
DHS Geospatial Services
Engineering and Technical Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure if not managed tightly.
Limited competition (2 bids) may impact price competitiveness.
Need for robust oversight to ensure performance metrics are met for award fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.4 million to COMPASS PTS JV, THE. REGION III FY18 RISKMAP PRODUCTION&TECHNICAL SERVICES (PTS) TASK ORDER

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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-06-29. End: 2022-09-09.

What is the track record of Compass PTS JV, LLC in performing similar risk mapping and technical services contracts for the federal government?

Assessing the track record of Compass PTS JV, LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving geospatial analysis, risk assessment, and technical support. Information on contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any past disputes or challenges would be relevant. As a joint venture, understanding the experience and capabilities of its constituent members is also important. Without specific historical data on Compass PTS JV's performance in this domain, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability and reliability for this specific task order beyond the general information provided by the award itself.

How does the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure typically impact the final cost and performance outcomes for engineering services contracts of this nature?

The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure is designed to incentivize contractor performance by allowing reimbursement of allowable costs plus a fee that is composed of a fixed base amount and an award amount. The award amount is contingent upon the contractor meeting or exceeding specific performance objectives defined in the contract. For engineering services like risk mapping, this can lead to higher quality deliverables if the award criteria are well-defined and rigorously evaluated. However, it also carries the risk of increased costs if the government's evaluation process is lenient or if the contractor successfully navigates the criteria to maximize their fee, potentially without proportional increases in value. Effective oversight is critical to ensure that award fees truly reflect superior performance and do not simply inflate the total contract cost.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to determine the award fee for Compass PTS JV on this contract?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to determine the award fee for Compass PTS JV on this contract are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for risk mapping and technical services, these metrics would relate to the accuracy and timeliness of risk map production, the quality and clarity of technical documentation, the effectiveness of technical support provided, adherence to project schedules, and potentially customer satisfaction. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure necessitates clearly defined and measurable performance standards. Without access to the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or the specific criteria outlined for the award fee determination, a detailed analysis of these KPIs is not possible.

Can the $2.4 million award amount be benchmarked against similar federal contracts for risk mapping and technical support services?

Benchmarking the $2.4 million award amount requires comparing it to similar federal contracts for risk mapping and technical support services, considering factors such as contract duration, scope of work, geographic coverage, and the specific agency issuing the award. Contracts awarded by FEMA, NOAA, or other agencies involved in disaster management or environmental assessment would be relevant comparators. The duration of this contract (over 4 years) means the annual spend is approximately $600,000. A comprehensive benchmark analysis would involve searching federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541330 - Engineering Services, 541690 - Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) and similar service descriptions. Without such a comparative analysis, it's difficult to definitively state whether $2.4 million represents a high, low, or average cost for these services.

What is the historical spending trend for FEMA or DHS on risk mapping and technical services over the past five fiscal years?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for FEMA or DHS on risk mapping and technical services over the past five fiscal years would provide valuable context for this $2.4 million award. This would involve examining procurement data from fiscal years preceding the award (e.g., FY2013-FY2017) to identify patterns in contract values, types of services procured, and primary contractors. A rising trend might indicate increasing demand or budget allocation for these services, while a declining trend could suggest shifting priorities or efficiency gains. Understanding this historical context helps in assessing whether the current award is consistent with past investments or represents a significant change in spending. Access to detailed historical procurement data from sources like FPDS is necessary for this analysis.

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

Solicitation ID: 70FBR318F000000XX

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

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: $2,400,087

Exercised Options: $2,400,087

Current Obligation: $2,396,440

Actual Outlays: $-19,818

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $441,258

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