DHS awards $9.1M C4ISR engineering contract to Vector CSP LLC, highlighting a competitive procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,081,986 ($9.1M)

Contractor: Vector CSP LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-07-22

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,439 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: C4ISR TECHNICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: MOORESTOWN, BURLINGTON County, NEW JERSEY, 08057

State: New Jersey Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $9.1 million to VECTOR CSP LLC for work described as: C4ISR TECHNICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust marketplace for these services. 2. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide predictability. 3. The duration of the contract (nearly 4 years) indicates a need for sustained technical support. 4. The award value is moderate within the context of complex C4ISR systems. 5. Performance is located in New Jersey, potentially impacting the local technical workforce. 6. The contract is for engineering services, a critical component of defense and security systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $9.1 million over nearly four years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized C4ISR technical engineering services. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but the fixed-price structure implies cost containment. The number of bids received (8) indicates a healthy level of interest and potential for competitive pricing.

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 initial solicitations might have had exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. Eight bids were received, demonstrating a healthy level of competition for these specialized engineering services. This suggests that multiple capable firms vied for the contract, likely driving more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple companies competed to offer the best value and price to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from enhanced Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) technical engineering capabilities. Services delivered include critical engineering support for complex systems vital to national security and maritime safety. The geographic impact is concentrated in New Jersey, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled technical jobs in the region. The contract supports the operational readiness and effectiveness of Coast Guard missions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial requirements are not clearly defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical C4ISR systems could pose risks if performance falters.
Ensuring continued innovation and adaptation of C4ISR technology throughout the contract lifecycle.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract structure helps manage cost overruns.
Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market, likely leading to better value.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained expertise development and system improvement.

Sector Analysis

The C4ISR sector is a critical and highly specialized segment of the defense and homeland security industry, encompassing the integration of complex communication, computing, and intelligence systems. Spending in this area is driven by the need for advanced situational awareness and operational command capabilities. This contract fits within the broader trend of government investment in modernizing and maintaining sophisticated electronic and information systems for national security agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. The award to a single entity, Vector CSP LLC, suggests that the primary focus was on securing specialized technical expertise, potentially favoring larger or more established firms in this niche sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified engineering services. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

C4ISR Systems Integration
Technical Engineering Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
U.S. Coast Guard Procurement
Defense Engineering Support

Risk Flags

Contract duration may exceed the pace of technological advancement in C4ISR.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical systems requires robust performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $9.1 million to VECTOR CSP LLC. C4ISR TECHNICAL ENGINEERING 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 $9.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-07-22. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the track record of Vector CSP LLC in delivering C4ISR technical engineering services to the federal government?

Vector CSP LLC has a history of securing contracts related to engineering and technical services. While specific details on their C4ISR project performance require deeper analysis of past contract performance reports (e.g., CPARS), their ability to win this $9.1 million contract from the U.S. Coast Guard, competing against seven other bidders, suggests a demonstrated capability and a competitive standing in the market. Further investigation into their past performance on similar-sized or technically complex projects would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in the C4ISR domain.

How does the $9.1 million value of this contract compare to typical spending on C4ISR technical engineering services?

The $9.1 million contract value, spread over nearly four years, represents a moderate investment for specialized C4ISR technical engineering services. Annual spending averages around $2.3 million. This figure is within the typical range for such contracts, which can vary significantly based on the scope, complexity, and duration. Larger, multi-year programs involving system-wide upgrades or development can reach hundreds of millions or even billions. Conversely, smaller, task-order-based contracts for specific support might be in the low millions. This award suggests a need for sustained, focused engineering support rather than a large-scale system acquisition or overhaul.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, technological obsolescence of C4ISR systems during the contract period, and the possibility of cost overruns if the fixed-price structure is not adequately managed. Mitigation strategies involve the U.S. Coast Guard's oversight of contract performance, adherence to defined technical specifications, and potentially incorporating clauses for system upgrades or modifications. The fixed-price nature itself is a risk mitigation tool against uncontrolled cost growth. Furthermore, the competitive award process helps mitigate the risk of selecting an underqualified vendor.

How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring value for taxpayers in this case?

This procurement method, while seemingly complex, aims to balance the need for specialized capabilities with broad market access. By initially excluding certain sources (perhaps due to specific security or capability requirements) but then opening it to full competition among the remaining eligible firms, the government seeks to ensure a competitive environment among qualified vendors. Receiving eight bids indicates that this approach successfully attracted multiple capable contractors. This level of competition generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government secures services at a price reflecting market value, thus benefiting taxpayers.

What is the historical spending trend for C4ISR technical engineering services by the Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Coast Guard?

Historical spending data for C4ISR technical engineering services by DHS and the USCG shows a consistent and significant investment in these capabilities. Agencies like the Coast Guard rely heavily on C4ISR for maritime domain awareness, search and rescue coordination, and law enforcement operations. Spending in this area typically fluctuates based on modernization initiatives, operational tempo, and evolving threats. While this specific $9.1 million award is a single data point, the overall trend indicates a sustained need for such services, often awarded through competitive processes to support the agency's critical missions.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70Z02322R93350001

Offers Received: 8

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: $11,577,022

Exercised Options: $9,081,986

Current Obligation: $9,081,986

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS340

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline