DHS awards $33.5M for desktop support, with CACI NSS, LLC selected for a 364-day contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,447,790 ($33.4M)

Contractor: CACI NSS, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-03-02

End Date: 2021-03-01

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $91.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO ACQUIRE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE CONSOLIDATED DESKTOP SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING END USER SERVICES INCLUDING END USER TECHNICIANS, TRAINERS, LEADS, SERVICE HELP DESK, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND SWITCHBOARD SER

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $33.4 million to CACI NSS, LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO ACQUIRE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE CONSOLIDATED DESKTOP SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING END USER SERVICES INCLUDING END USER TECHNICIANS, TRAINERS, LEADS, SERVICE HELP DESK, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND SWITCHBOARD SER Key points: 1. The contract focuses on consolidated desktop support, encompassing end-user technicians, trainers, leads, help desk, project management, and switchboard operations. 2. Awarded under Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP), the contract type is Time and Materials, suggesting flexibility in resource allocation. 3. The duration of 364 days indicates a short-term need or a bridge to a longer-term solution. 4. The single award suggests a specific capability or existing relationship was prioritized. 5. The contract value of approximately $33.5 million for one year requires careful benchmarking against similar IT support services. 6. The geographic focus is Washington D.C., implying services are localized to a specific federal presence.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $33.5 million for one year of consolidated desktop support services appears to be within a reasonable range for a large federal agency like DHS. However, without specific details on the scope of services, number of users supported, and the skill mix of personnel, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts, particularly those awarded under Time and Materials pricing, would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The absence of a small business set-aside might indicate a focus on specialized capabilities that larger firms are better positioned to provide.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Special Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically implies a limited competition. While the specific reason for limited competition is not detailed, it could be due to the nature of the requirement, existing contract vehicles, or urgency. The fact that it was a single award to CACI NSS, LLC suggests that either only one offer was solicited or that CACI NSS, LLC was the only responsible offeror meeting the specific criteria. This level of competition may not yield the most competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a full and open competition, as it reduces the pressure on contractors to offer their best prices.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington D.C. will benefit from improved and consolidated desktop support services. The services delivered include essential IT support functions such as end-user technical assistance, training, help desk operations, and project management. The geographic impact is concentrated in the District of Columbia, supporting DHS operations within the capital. The contract supports a workforce of IT professionals, including technicians, trainers, and project managers, contributing to the federal IT labor market.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a broader solicitation.
The Time and Materials contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored and managed.
The specific details of the 'consolidated desktop support' are not fully elaborated, making it difficult to assess the full scope and potential risks.
The contract duration of just under a year might indicate a stop-gap measure, potentially leading to future contract instability or re-competition costs.

Positive Signals

The consolidation of desktop support services aims to streamline operations and potentially improve efficiency for DHS.
The award to CACI NSS, LLC suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to meet DHS's IT support needs.
The contract addresses critical IT infrastructure support, ensuring the continuity of essential government functions.
The focus on end-user services directly impacts the productivity and experience of DHS personnel.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant segment of the IT services industry. This sector encompasses a wide range of services, including IT support, system integration, and custom software development. Federal spending in IT services is substantial, with desktop support being a fundamental component of maintaining operational readiness. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT support services can vary widely based on the scope, number of users, and geographic location, but contracts in the tens of millions for agency-wide support are not uncommon.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the requirement was likely fulfilled by a large business contractor, CACI NSS, LLC. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. The lack of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly compete for this prime contract were limited, and their involvement would likely be through subcontracting, if at all.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's contracting and program management offices. The specific oversight mechanisms, such as performance reviews, quality assurance surveillance plans (QASPs), and regular reporting requirements, would be detailed in the contract's terms and conditions. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or identified.

Related Government Programs

DHS IT Support Services
Federal Desktop Support Contracts
IT Services for Law Enforcement Agencies
Computer Systems Design Services
Time and Materials IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Time and Materials Contract Type
Lack of Detailed Scope Information
Potential for Cost Overruns (T&M)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $33.4 million to CACI NSS, LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO ACQUIRE QUALIFIED PERSONNEL TO PROVIDE CONSOLIDATED DESKTOP SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDING END USER SERVICES INCLUDING END USER TECHNICIANS, TRAINERS, LEADS, SERVICE HELP DESK, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND SWITCHBOARD SER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CACI NSS, 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 $33.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-03-02. End: 2021-03-01.

What is the specific scope of 'consolidated desktop support services' and how many end-users does this contract support?

The provided data indicates the purpose is to 'acquire qualified personnel to provide consolidated desktop support services including end user services including end user technicians, trainers, leads, service help desk, project management, and switchboard operations.' However, the exact number of end-users supported and the granular details of the services (e.g., hardware/software support, incident response times, specific project management duties) are not specified in the abbreviated data. This level of detail is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the contract's value and performance expectations. Without this, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts that might support a different user base or offer a more extensive service catalog.

How does the $33.5 million contract value compare to similar consolidated desktop support contracts within the federal government?

Benchmarking the $33.5 million contract value requires comparing it to similar consolidated desktop support contracts awarded by other federal agencies, considering factors like the number of users, geographic scope, and service level agreements. Contracts for large federal agencies can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars annually. For a single year duration, $33.5 million for comprehensive desktop support in a concentrated area like D.C. appears within a plausible range, especially if it involves specialized technical expertise or a significant user base. However, without more specific contract details and performance metrics, a definitive comparison is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure also necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the value delivered.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, for IT support services, KPIs and SLAs would include metrics such as average response time for help desk tickets, resolution rates, user satisfaction scores, system uptime, and adherence to security protocols. These metrics are essential for measuring the contractor's performance and ensuring the government receives the expected value. The absence of this information in the summary data limits the ability to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services being provided by CACI NSS, LLC.

What is CACI NSS, LLC's track record with similar federal IT support contracts?

CACI NSS, LLC has a history of performing federal IT support contracts. While specific details of their past performance on similar consolidated desktop support contracts are not in the provided data, CACI is a large, established government contractor with a broad portfolio of IT services. Their ability to win this contract suggests they met the agency's requirements for experience and capability. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any reported issues on previous engagements would provide a more thorough assessment of their track record for this specific type of service.

What is the historical spending pattern for desktop support services at DHS?

The provided data only pertains to this specific $33.5 million contract awarded on March 2, 2020, with an end date of March 1, 2021. It does not offer historical spending patterns for desktop support services at DHS. To understand historical spending, one would need to analyze contract awards for similar services over multiple fiscal years, looking at the total expenditure, number of contracts, and the contractors involved. This would reveal trends, identify potential increases or decreases in spending, and highlight any shifts in procurement strategies for IT support.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for desktop support?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to CACI NSS, LLC, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. Since payment is based on the hours worked and the materials used, there is a potential for costs to escalate if the scope is not well-defined or if contractor effort is not efficiently managed. For desktop support, this could mean longer-than-necessary troubleshooting times or the use of more senior (and expensive) personnel than required for certain tasks. Effective government oversight, including detailed work tracking, regular progress reviews, and strong contract administration, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value for its investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CACI International Inc (UEI: 045534641)

Address: 11955 FREEDOM DR STE 12000, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,357,568

Exercised Options: $33,447,790

Current Obligation: $33,447,790

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC14A00010

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline