DHS awards $27.6M for CWMD system engineering, focusing on radiological and nuclear detection
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,640,540 ($27.6M)
Contractor: Engility Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2019-06-23
End Date: 2021-02-22
Contract Duration: 610 days
Daily Burn Rate: $45.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE SYSTEM ENGINEERING SERVICES TO COUNTERING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (CWMD) OFFICE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ACQUISITION OF RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR DETECTION SYSTEMS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20003
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $27.6 million to ENGILITY SERVICES, LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE SYSTEM ENGINEERING SERVICES TO COUNTERING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (CWMD) OFFICE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ACQUISITION OF RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR DETECTION SYSTEMS. Key points: 1. Contract supports critical national security mission for countering weapons of mass destruction. 2. Focus on radiological and nuclear detection systems acquisition highlights a key technological area. 3. Engility Services, LLC awarded the task order, indicating a specific contractor's role. 4. The contract duration spans over 600 days, suggesting a substantial project timeline. 5. Procurement operations managed by DHS's Office of Procurement Operations. 6. Task order falls under engineering services, a broad but essential category for government operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $27.6 million for system engineering services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of countering weapons of mass destruction (CWMD) and the acquisition of radiological and nuclear detection systems. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific project scope, the pricing for engineering services can vary significantly based on expertise required. The duration of the contract (610 days) suggests a project of moderate complexity and scale. Benchmarking against similar CWMD-related system engineering contracts would provide a more precise value assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This task order was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but full and open competition generally leads to a more competitive pricing environment and a wider selection of qualified contractors. This approach aims to ensure the government receives the best value by allowing all responsible sources to participate.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a broader range of innovative solutions, ensuring efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Homeland Security's CWMD office, which receives essential system engineering support. Services delivered facilitate the acquisition of critical radiological and nuclear detection systems, enhancing national security. Geographic impact is national, as CWMD efforts are a federal responsibility. Workforce implications include the need for specialized system engineers with expertise in defense and detection technologies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in complex system engineering projects.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical system engineering functions.
- Ensuring continued technological relevance in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- Contract supports a high-priority national security mission.
- Clear objective to acquire specific detection systems.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting government defense and security initiatives. The market for specialized system engineering in CWMD is niche, driven by federal agencies like DHS. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other defense and national security procurements requiring complex system integration and acquisition support. The overall market for engineering services is vast, but this segment is highly specialized.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, Engility Services, LLC, would determine any subcontracting opportunities based on their own business strategy and the specific needs of the task order.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is likely managed by the Department of Homeland Security's CWMD office and the Office of Procurement Operations. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery order's performance work statement and milestones. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Homeland Security
- Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office
- Radiological and Nuclear Detection Systems
- System Engineering Services
- Federal Procurement Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for technical complexity and integration challenges.
- Reliance on contractor expertise for critical national security systems.
- Evolving threat landscape requiring adaptable technological solutions.
Tags
dhs, system-engineering, cwm, radiological-detection, nuclear-detection, acquisition-support, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, engineering-services, national-security, district-of-columbia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $27.6 million to ENGILITY SERVICES, LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE SYSTEM ENGINEERING SERVICES TO COUNTERING WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (CWMD) OFFICE IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE ACQUISITION OF RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR DETECTION SYSTEMS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENGILITY SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $27.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-06-23. End: 2021-02-22.
What is the track record of Engility Services, LLC in performing similar system engineering contracts for the Department of Homeland Security or other federal agencies?
Engility Services, LLC has a history of performing various federal contracts, including system engineering and technical support. While specific details on past CWMD-related system engineering tasks require deeper database analysis, the company has been a significant contractor across multiple agencies. Assessing their performance on prior, similar contracts would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any reported issues. A comprehensive review would look at their ability to deliver complex technical solutions on time and within budget, particularly in sensitive national security domains. Their experience in system integration, acquisition support, and technical analysis would be key indicators of their capability for this task order.
How does the awarded value of $27.6 million compare to similar system engineering contracts for CWMD acquisition support?
Benchmarking this $27.6 million contract requires access to a database of comparable federal procurements. System engineering for acquiring specialized detection systems, especially in the CWMD domain, is a niche area. Contracts can vary widely based on the complexity of the systems, the scope of engineering services (e.g., requirements definition, design, testing, integration), and the duration. A contract of this value over approximately two years suggests a significant undertaking. Without specific comparable data points, it's challenging to definitively state if it's high or low. However, given the critical nature and technical demands of CWMD systems, a substantial investment in expert engineering support is expected and justifiable.
What are the primary risks associated with this system engineering contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include technical challenges in integrating new detection systems, potential delays in the acquisition process, and the evolving nature of WMD threats requiring adaptable solutions. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, clear performance metrics defined in the Statement of Work, regular technical reviews, and close collaboration between Engility Services, DHS CWMD, and system developers. Ensuring the contractor possesses the necessary security clearances and expertise in radiological/nuclear detection is also critical. Furthermore, the full and open competition award mechanism helps mitigate risks associated with contractor capability and pricing by selecting the most qualified and cost-effective vendor.
How effective is the system engineering support likely to be in facilitating the acquisition of radiological and nuclear detection systems?
The effectiveness hinges on the quality of Engility Services' system engineering expertise and the clarity of the acquisition requirements. System engineering is crucial for translating operational needs into technical specifications, managing the design and development lifecycle, and ensuring interoperability and reliability of the detection systems. If Engility provides strong technical leadership, rigorous testing protocols, and effective risk management, the acquisition process should be significantly smoother and more successful. The contract's focus on this specific area suggests a dedicated effort to bolster DHS's capabilities in detecting radiological and nuclear threats, which is vital for national security.
What are the historical spending patterns for system engineering services related to CWMD within DHS?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for CWMD system engineering within DHS would require examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would involve identifying contracts with similar objectives, such as system design, integration, testing, and acquisition support for detection technologies. Trends might reveal an increasing or decreasing investment in this area, shifts in contracting approaches (e.g., from sole-source to competitive), or changes in the types of technologies being prioritized. Understanding these patterns can provide context for the current $27.6 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical investment, an increase due to new threats, or a strategic shift in CWMD acquisition.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Science Applications International Corporation
Address: 35 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CENTER DR STE 200, ANDOVER, MA, 01810
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $27,640,540
Exercised Options: $27,640,540
Current Obligation: $27,640,540
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F092CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-06-23
Current End Date: 2021-02-22
Potential End Date: 2021-02-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-04-02
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