DHS Coast Guard Awards $15.9M to Wyle Information Systems for IT Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,882,674 ($15.9M)

Contractor: Wyle Information Systems, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2003-03-15

End Date: 2006-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,295 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.3K/day

Competition Type: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Sector: IT

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $15.9 million to WYLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $15.9 million awarded. 2. WYLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. Contract duration spans over 3 years. 4. Awarded under the 'VA' (Veterans Affairs?) category, potentially indicating a specific program focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $15.9 million over approximately 3.4 years suggests a substantial investment. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, assessing the value for money is difficult. The 'VA' classification needs clarification to understand its relevance to IT services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This was a non-competitive delivery order, meaning there was no formal solicitation of multiple vendors. This approach limits price discovery and may not ensure the government receives the best possible pricing or solution.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overspending, impacting taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution due to the sole-source nature of the award. Limited transparency into the justification for a non-competitive award. Potential for higher costs compared to a competitive bidding process.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of transparency in justification
Potential for inflated pricing

Positive Signals

Clear awardee identified
Defined contract period

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under IT services, a broad category. The specific nature of the IT services provided by WYLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS is not detailed, making sector-specific benchmarks difficult to apply. The 'VA' designation is unusual for a Coast Guard IT contract.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competitive nature of this award warrants further scrutiny to ensure proper justification and adherence to procurement regulations. Oversight should focus on the rationale behind bypassing competitive processes.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Coast Guard Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Unclear justification for non-competitive award.
Ambiguous contract type code ('VA') requires clarification.
Limited transparency into the specific IT services provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $15.9 million to WYLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, LLC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WYLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, 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 $15.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-03-15. End: 2006-09-30.

What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to WYLE INFORMATION SYSTEMS, LLC?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves circumstances where only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs. Without the specific justification document, it's impossible to confirm the exact reasons, but it implies a lack of readily available alternatives or a critical need that only this vendor could meet within the required timeframe.

How can the Department of Homeland Security ensure it is receiving fair market value for IT services when using sole-source contracts?

Ensuring fair market value in sole-source contracts requires rigorous internal review and justification. Agencies should conduct thorough market research to confirm no other sources exist and obtain independent government cost estimates. Price negotiation techniques, such as comparing to similar historical contracts (if available and adjusted for scope/inflation) or using certified cost and pricing data from the contractor, are crucial. Independent cost analysis can also validate the reasonableness of the proposed price.

What is the significance of the 'VA' contract type code for a U.S. Coast Guard IT services contract, and does it impact the oversight or value assessment?

The 'VA' contract type code typically signifies a contract awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Its presence on a U.S. Coast Guard contract is highly unusual and suggests a potential data entry error or a very specific, non-standard inter-agency agreement. This ambiguity complicates oversight and value assessment, as standard benchmarks and regulatory frameworks associated with the Coast Guard or DHS may not apply directly, necessitating clarification of the contract's true nature and purpose.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Contractor Details

Parent Company: KBR, Inc.

Address: 1651 OLD MEADOW RD FL 5, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DTTS5999D00456

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline