DHS awards $16.9M IT support contract to Salient CRGT, Inc. for USCIS systems

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,890,976 ($16.9M)

Contractor: Salient Crgt, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-11-06

End Date: 2021-05-06

Contract Duration: 181 days

Daily Burn Rate: $93.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20529

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $16.9 million to SALIENT CRGT, INC. for work described as: IT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for IT support services, specifically computer systems design. 3. Duration of 181 days indicates a short-term or bridge-type requirement. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor. 5. Salient CRGT, Inc. is the sole awardee for this delivery order. 6. The contract falls under the IT sector, with a focus on systems design.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $16.9 million for a 181-day period suggests a significant daily burn rate. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. However, the firm fixed-price nature indicates that the contractor is responsible for managing costs to meet the agreed-upon price. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of IT support and system design services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically involves a broad solicitation to all responsible sources. This method is intended to maximize competition and potentially achieve better pricing and quality. The data indicates one award, suggesting that while competition was open, Salient CRGT, Inc. was the selected vendor among potentially multiple bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more cost-effective solutions and prevent price gouging.

Public Impact

USCIS benefits from continued IT support and system design services, crucial for its operations. The contract ensures the maintenance and potential enhancement of critical government IT systems. Geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where USCIS operations are often managed. Workforce implications may include the utilization of skilled IT professionals by Salient CRGT, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration (181 days) may indicate a stop-gap measure rather than a long-term strategic investment.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it challenging to assess contractor performance objectively.
The significant dollar amount for a short period warrants scrutiny of the scope and necessity of services.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type aligns incentives for the contractor to manage costs efficiently.
Salient CRGT, Inc. is an established IT services provider, potentially bringing relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related support. The market for IT support services to federal agencies is substantial, with agencies like DHS consistently investing in maintaining and upgrading their technological infrastructure. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other IT support contracts awarded by DHS or similar agencies for similar services and durations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary award went to Salient CRGT, Inc., a larger entity. There is no direct information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific delivery order, but larger prime contractors are often encouraged or required to engage small businesses in their overall subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within budget. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Homeland Security IT Contracts
USCIS IT Support
Federal IT Services

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need or bridge requirement.
High daily expenditure warrants scrutiny of service scope and necessity.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in summary data limits objective assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $16.9 million to SALIENT CRGT, INC.. IT SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SALIENT CRGT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-11-06. End: 2021-05-06.

What specific IT support and system design services were included in this $16.9 million contract?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 541512, 'Computer Systems Design Services.' This generally encompasses services such as designing and integrating computer systems, providing IT consulting, and potentially managing IT infrastructure. However, the specific scope of work for this $16.9 million delivery order, lasting 181 days, is not detailed. It could range from maintaining existing systems, troubleshooting, implementing minor upgrades, or providing specialized design expertise for USCIS IT infrastructure. Without a Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), the precise services remain unspecified, making a granular assessment of value challenging.

How does the $16.9 million value for a 181-day contract compare to similar IT support contracts?

A contract value of approximately $16.9 million over 181 days translates to a daily rate of roughly $93,370. This is a substantial daily expenditure. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare this to other firm fixed-price contracts for similar IT support and system design services awarded by DHS or other large federal agencies to companies of similar size and capability. Factors like the complexity of the systems supported, the criticality of the services, and the specific technical requirements would influence comparability. A higher daily rate might be justified for highly specialized or mission-critical support, while a lower rate would be expected for more routine maintenance.

What is Salient CRGT, Inc.'s track record with federal IT contracts, particularly with DHS?

Salient CRGT, Inc. (now part of Information Services Corporation) has a significant history of performing IT services for various U.S. federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Their portfolio often includes areas like cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analytics, and IT infrastructure support. Examining their past performance ratings, contract history, and any past performance issues or awards related to DHS would provide insight into their reliability and capability. A review of their contract awards database entries would reveal the types and values of contracts they have held, offering a basis for assessing their experience relevant to this specific USCIS award.

What are the potential risks associated with a short-duration, high-value IT support contract?

A primary risk with a short-duration, high-value contract like this is the potential for scope creep or the need for rapid ramp-up and de-mobilization, which can be inefficient. If the contract is intended as a bridge to a larger, long-term solution, there's a risk of it not fully addressing underlying needs or creating dependency. For a firm fixed-price contract, the risk lies with the contractor to deliver within budget; if they underestimate costs or encounter unforeseen technical challenges, they may cut corners or seek change orders, impacting quality. Conversely, if the government's requirements are not clearly defined, the contractor might over-deliver, leading to perceived overpayment.

How does the 'Computer Systems Design Services' classification (NAICS 541512) typically translate into contract deliverables?

NAICS code 541512, 'Computer Systems Design Services,' generally covers a broad range of activities related to planning, designing, and implementing computer systems. Deliverables can include system architecture blueprints, network design documents, software integration plans, hardware configuration specifications, and IT strategy consulting reports. It may also involve project management for system implementation, business process analysis to inform system design, and potentially the development or customization of software components. The specific deliverables for this contract would be detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) and would align with USCIS's needs for its IT infrastructure.

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 › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70SBUR21R00000008

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4000 LEGATO RD STE 600, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,893,607

Exercised Options: $16,890,976

Current Obligation: $16,890,976

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 9

Total Subaward Amount: $3,066,282

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCK18D0060

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline