DHS Coast Guard awards $12.9M contract for mission support business model services to Vector CSP LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,946,891 ($12.9M)

Contractor: Vector CSP LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-23

End Date: 2026-09-22

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MISSION SUPPORT BUSINESS MODEL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ELIZABETH CITY, PASQUOTANK County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27909

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.9 million to VECTOR CSP LLC for work described as: MISSION SUPPORT BUSINESS MODEL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 4. Services are categorized under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), aligning with technical support needs. 5. The award to Vector CSP LLC represents a significant investment in mission support capabilities. 6. The contract's value of approximately $12.9 million over five years warrants scrutiny for value for money.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.9 million over five years, averaging roughly $2.58 million annually, appears reasonable for specialized engineering and mission support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for mission support and engineering services within DHS or other agencies would provide a more precise assessment of value. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively, but detailed cost breakdowns are not available to fully assess pricing competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the final award. The presence of 4 bids suggests a degree of competition, but the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the rationale behind it. A fully open competition typically yields the best price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature, despite potential source exclusions, likely provided taxpayers with a reasonable price. However, understanding the reasons for source exclusion is crucial to ensure no potential cost savings were foregone.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from enhanced mission support business model services, crucial for operational effectiveness. These services likely contribute to the efficiency and strategic planning of Coast Guard operations. The contract supports the Coast Guard's broader mission of maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting various Coast Guard installations and operational areas. The contract may indirectly support a specialized workforce in engineering and business consulting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type requires clarification to ensure maximum competition was pursued.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
The long-term nature of the contract (5 years) necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value for money.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for cost-effectiveness.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration suggests a stable and predictable need for these critical services.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector, particularly within government contracting, is highly specialized. NAICS code 541330 encompasses firms providing engineering consulting and design services. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services supporting federal agencies' operational and strategic needs. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar mission support and engineering contracts within the Department of Homeland Security and other large federal agencies would be necessary for a precise comparison.

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 arising from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Vector CSP LLC, will manage the service delivery, and any subcontracting decisions would be at their discretion, not mandated by a set-aside requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Coast Guard's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring Vector CSP LLC to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Mission Support Services
U.S. Coast Guard Engineering Support Contracts
Federal Engineering Consulting Services
Government Business Model Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Risk of cost overruns for contractor impacting service delivery in long-term fixed-price contract.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value for money over the contract duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.9 million to VECTOR CSP LLC. MISSION SUPPORT BUSINESS MODEL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VECTOR CSP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-23. End: 2026-09-22.

What is the specific nature of the 'mission support business model services' being provided?

The provided data identifies the contract's purpose as 'MISSION SUPPORT BUSINESS MODEL SERVICES' under NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services). While the specific deliverables are not detailed, these services likely involve strategic planning, operational efficiency improvements, organizational design, process optimization, and potentially financial or resource management consulting aimed at enhancing the Coast Guard's overall mission effectiveness. This could include developing new operational frameworks, improving internal workflows, or advising on resource allocation strategies to better support the Coast Guard's diverse maritime responsibilities.

How does the $12.9 million contract value compare to similar mission support contracts within DHS?

Direct comparison of the $12.9 million contract value for mission support business model services requires access to a broader dataset of similar contracts within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). However, for a five-year contract, this averages approximately $2.58 million per year. This figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts for strategic consulting, business process re-engineering, and operational support services awarded to firms of similar size and specialization within DHS or other large federal agencies. Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average investment.

What are the potential risks associated with a 5-year firm fixed-price contract for engineering services?

A significant risk with a 5-year firm fixed-price contract is the potential for the contractor to face unforeseen cost increases over the contract's life, especially in the engineering services sector where material costs or labor rates can fluctuate. If costs rise significantly beyond Vector CSP LLC's projections, it could impact their profitability and potentially their motivation to deliver optimal service quality. Conversely, if the government's needs evolve substantially, the fixed scope might not adequately address new requirements without costly modifications. The government also bears the risk if the contractor underperforms, as remedies might be limited by the fixed price.

What is Vector CSP LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly within DHS?

Information on Vector CSP LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedules and budgets, and any history of disputes or contract terminations. Their ability to secure this $12.9 million contract suggests they have met certain qualification criteria, but a deeper dive into their performance history is necessary to fully evaluate their reliability and expertise for this specific engagement.

What does the 'AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause imply for competition and taxpayer value?

The 'AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause in 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain potential sources were identified and excluded from participating in the bidding process. The reasons for exclusion are critical; they could range from non-responsiveness in a prior phase to specific capability requirements. If the exclusions were justified and based on objective criteria, it might still lead to competitive pricing. However, if sources were excluded without a clear, defensible rationale, it could limit competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers than a truly unrestricted full and open competition might achieve.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 101 MILL END CT STE C, ELIZABETH CITY, NC, 27909

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,681,900

Exercised Options: $23,854,946

Current Obligation: $12,946,891

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD19D1001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline