DHS's $50.6M IT contract with Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc. for custom computer programming services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,573,543 ($50.6M)

Contractor: Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-03-03

End Date: 2005-07-04

Contract Duration: 123 days

Daily Burn Rate: $411.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED

Sector: IT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20536

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $50.6 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract's value of $50.6 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in IT services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract were characterized by full and open competition, indicating a broad market approach. 3. The duration of the contract, though not explicitly stated in days, implies a need for sustained IT support. 4. The specific NAICS code (541511) points to a focus on custom computer programming, a critical area for government operations. 5. The award to a large, established contractor like Northrop Grumman suggests a need for specialized expertise and capacity. 6. The contract's performance context is within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlighting its role in national security and immigration. 7. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests the primary focus was on securing the best solution regardless of business size.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $50.6 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered and their criticality. However, for custom computer programming services, this amount represents a substantial investment. Comparing it to similar large-scale IT development contracts within DHS or other agencies would provide better context for value for money. The contract's relatively short duration (implied by the award and expiration dates) might indicate a project-specific need rather than long-term system maintenance, which could influence the perceived value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, potentially leading to better pricing and innovative solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust competition was intended. The effectiveness of this competition in driving down costs or improving quality would depend on the number and caliber of the proposals received.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of vendors to compete, which can lead to more cost-effective solutions and prevent vendor lock-in.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel who will utilize the custom-developed software or systems. The services delivered are custom computer programming, essential for developing or enhancing IT systems that support ICE's mission. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contract is registered, but the systems developed could have national implications for ICE operations. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized IT professionals to develop, implement, and maintain the custom software, potentially creating jobs in the IT sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the custom programming.
The contract's duration and the specific deliverables are not detailed, raising questions about the scope and potential for cost overruns.
Reliance on a single large contractor for critical custom programming could pose a risk if the contractor faces financial or operational difficulties.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield good value.
The contractor, Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc., is a well-established entity with significant experience in government IT contracts.
The contract addresses a specific need for custom computer programming, indicating a targeted investment in IT capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly custom computer programming, is a significant component of federal spending. This contract falls within the broader IT services market, which includes software development, system integration, and IT consulting. The federal government is a major consumer of these services, with agencies like DHS relying heavily on specialized IT solutions to manage complex operations. Comparable spending benchmarks for custom programming contracts of this scale would typically be found within large defense and civilian agency IT procurements.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the procurement was focused on obtaining the best solution from the broadest possible pool of contractors, rather than specifically targeting small businesses. While this may not directly benefit small businesses through set-asides, it does not preclude them from participating as subcontractors if they possess the necessary expertise and are sought by the prime contractor, Northrop Grumman.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's contracting and program management offices. Specific accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and performance requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

DHS IT Modernization Programs
Custom Software Development Contracts
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Technology Modernization
Large-Scale IT Service Contracts
Northrop Grumman Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Lack of Specific Deliverables
Performance Metrics Unclear

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $50.6 million to NORTHROP GRUMMAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NORTHROP GRUMMAN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $50.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-03-03. End: 2005-07-04.

What specific custom computer programming services were delivered under this contract, and how did they align with ICE's mission objectives?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Custom Computer Programming Services' (NAICS 541511) awarded to Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc. by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. Typically, such contracts involve the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of specialized software or IT systems tailored to the unique requirements of the agency. For ICE, these could range from case management systems, data analytics platforms for border security, or internal operational support tools. Without a detailed statement of work or project reports, it's impossible to ascertain the precise deliverables and their direct alignment with ICE's mission objectives beyond the general scope of IT support.

How does the $50.6 million contract value compare to other custom computer programming contracts awarded by DHS or ICE in similar timeframes?

The $50.6 million contract value is substantial for custom computer programming services. To benchmark it effectively, one would need to compare it against similar contracts awarded by DHS or ICE, or even other large federal agencies, for the same NAICS code (541511) during the period around 2005. Larger agencies often award multi-million dollar contracts for complex software development. For instance, defense agencies or agencies with extensive data processing needs might have comparable or larger contracts. A direct comparison would require accessing detailed contract databases and filtering by agency, NAICS code, award amount, and contract duration to identify trends and outliers in pricing and scope for custom programming.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or success metrics for this contract, and how was Northrop Grumman's performance evaluated?

The provided data does not include information on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific success metrics for this contract. In federal contracting, these are typically outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). They define the measurable standards by which the contractor's performance is judged. Without access to these documents, it is impossible to evaluate how Northrop Grumman's performance was assessed. Government agencies usually have formal processes for performance evaluations, including contractor performance assessment reporting (CPARs), which would document adherence to timelines, quality standards, and budget constraints.

Given the contract's award date in 2005, what is the current status of the systems or software developed, and have they been significantly updated or replaced?

This contract was awarded in March 2005 and expired in July 2005, indicating a very short performance period, likely for a specific project or phase. Systems and software developed under such short-term contracts are often part of larger, ongoing IT initiatives. It is highly probable that any systems or software developed or enhanced under this specific award would have undergone significant updates, migrations, or complete replacements by now, given the rapid evolution of technology over the past two decades. Federal agencies continuously modernize their IT infrastructure to maintain security, efficiency, and compatibility with current standards.

What is Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc.'s track record with federal IT contracts, particularly with DHS and ICE, around the time of this award?

Northrop Grumman Information Technology Inc. (now part of Northrop Grumman Corporation) has a long and extensive history of performing IT services for the federal government, including significant work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Around 2005, the company was a major federal IT contractor, involved in large-scale system integration, software development, and IT support across various agencies. Their track record generally includes handling complex, high-value contracts. Specific performance details for individual contracts would be found in past performance reviews (like CPARs), but their overall presence indicates substantial experience relevant to this type of custom programming award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: NOT REPORTED (NO)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Titan II Inc. (UEI: 016435559)

Address: 2411 DULLES CORNER PARK #, HERNDON, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEOP05A00001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline