DHS awards $12.4M contract for environmental consulting services to Signature Science LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,375,180 ($12.4M)

Contractor: Signature Science LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE BIOWATCH QA PROGRAM DEVELOPS, DOCUMENTS, AND COMMUNICATES OPERATIONAL QA REQUIREMENTS WITHIN PROGRAM PROTOCOLS AND FIELD OPERATIONS AND LABORATORY OPERATIONS QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM PLANS (QAPPS).

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78759

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.4 million to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC for work described as: THE BIOWATCH QA PROGRAM DEVELOPS, DOCUMENTS, AND COMMUNICATES OPERATIONAL QA REQUIREMENTS WITHIN PROGRAM PROTOCOLS AND FIELD OPERATIONS AND LABORATORY OPERATIONS QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM PLANS (QAPPS). Key points: 1. Contract focuses on quality assurance for the BioWatch program, ensuring operational readiness. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is four years, aligning with long-term program needs. 4. Services include developing and documenting operational QA requirements. 5. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery contract. 6. The contractor, Signature Science LLC, has a track record in scientific and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.4 million over four years appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services supporting a critical national program like BioWatch. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting and quality assurance in government programs suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The Time and Materials pricing structure allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award suggests that the government sought the best value through a transparent process. This approach generally leads to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition benefits taxpayers by fostering a marketplace where contractors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing and high-quality services to win awards.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which receives essential quality assurance support for the BioWatch program. Services delivered include the development and documentation of operational quality assurance requirements for field and laboratory operations. The geographic impact is primarily within Texas, where the contractor is located, but the program's scope is national. The contract supports specialized scientific and technical expertise, potentially impacting the workforce in environmental consulting and quality assurance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if Time and Materials basis is not closely managed.
Reliance on a single delivery order may not fully leverage competitive pressures for ongoing needs.
Scope creep could increase the overall cost beyond initial projections without careful monitoring.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Contract duration of four years provides stability for program support.
Focus on quality assurance is critical for the effectiveness of the BioWatch program.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a niche within the broader professional services industry. The market for such services is driven by regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and specialized scientific needs, particularly for government agencies managing complex programs like BioWatch. Comparable spending benchmarks in this sector often relate to environmental impact assessments, compliance monitoring, and quality management systems.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. Signature Science LLC is not listed as a small business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award, which could limit opportunities for smaller firms in this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, requiring adherence to quality standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

BioWatch Program
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
Environmental Consulting Services
Quality Assurance Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing requires close monitoring to prevent cost overruns.
Scope definition and management are critical for successful delivery.
Dependence on contractor expertise necessitates strong performance management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.4 million to SIGNATURE SCIENCE LLC. THE BIOWATCH QA PROGRAM DEVELOPS, DOCUMENTS, AND COMMUNICATES OPERATIONAL QA REQUIREMENTS WITHIN PROGRAM PROTOCOLS AND FIELD OPERATIONS AND LABORATORY OPERATIONS QUALITY ASSURANCE PROGRAM PLANS (QAPPS).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SIGNATURE SCIENCE 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 $12.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the historical spending on the BioWatch QA Program?

Historical spending data for the BioWatch QA Program specifically is not detailed in the provided information. However, the current contract awarded to Signature Science LLC for $12,375,180.24 represents a significant investment in quality assurance for the program. To understand the full historical context, one would need to examine previous contracts related to BioWatch QA, including those for development, documentation, and operational support. Analyzing trends in spending over multiple fiscal years would reveal the program's evolving budget and the consistency of its quality assurance requirements. This could also highlight shifts in contracting strategies or the emergence of new technological needs impacting QA costs.

How does Signature Science LLC's pricing compare to market rates for similar environmental consulting services?

Direct comparison of Signature Science LLC's pricing to specific market rates is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and a precise definition of 'similar' services. The contract is Time and Materials (T&M), which can fluctuate based on actual hours worked and labor categories. However, the total award ceiling of approximately $12.4 million over four years suggests an average annual value of around $3.1 million. For specialized environmental consulting and quality assurance supporting a national security program, this figure is likely competitive, assuming the contractor possesses the requisite expertise and clearances. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing hourly rates for specific labor categories (e.g., senior scientists, QA specialists) against industry standards and rates charged by other government contractors for comparable tasks.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this specific contract. However, given the nature of the work – developing, documenting, and communicating operational QA requirements – KPIs would likely focus on the timeliness and accuracy of deliverables, the completeness and clarity of documented requirements, and the successful implementation of QA protocols in field and laboratory operations. Adherence to program protocols and quality assurance program plans (QAPPs) would be paramount. Performance would also be assessed based on the contractor's ability to support the BioWatch program's overall mission objectives and maintain compliance with relevant standards and regulations.

What is the track record of Signature Science LLC with the Department of Homeland Security?

Signature Science LLC has a history of working with various government agencies, including potentially the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While the provided data focuses on this specific contract, a comprehensive assessment of their track record with DHS would require reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes on previous DHS awards. Their expertise in scientific and technical services, including areas relevant to environmental consulting and quality assurance, suggests a capacity to meet government requirements. Further investigation into their federal contract database records and past performance questionnaires would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness with DHS.

Are there any identified risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks associated with this Time and Materials contract include cost overruns if not managed diligently, scope creep, and potential delays in deliverables impacting the BioWatch program's QA efforts. Mitigation strategies would involve robust oversight from DHS contracting officers and program managers, clear definition and enforcement of contract scope, regular performance reviews, and potentially establishing fixed-price milestones for key deliverables. The contractor's own quality control processes and adherence to contractual requirements are also critical mitigation factors. The full and open competition award suggests a selection process that likely vetted the contractor's ability to manage these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Signature Science, LLC

Address: 8501 N MOPAC EXPY STE 100, AUSTIN, TX, 78759

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,291,594

Exercised Options: $12,375,180

Current Obligation: $12,375,180

Actual Outlays: $13,379,090

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F105CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline