DHS awards $14.5M option year for IT services to CSRA LLC, extending a contract first awarded in 2009

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,489,051 ($14.5M)

Contractor: Csra LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-10-01

End Date: 2011-03-31

Contract Duration: 546 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXERCISE OPTION YEAR SIX (6)

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.5 million to CSRA LLC for work described as: EXERCISE OPTION YEAR SIX (6) Key points: 1. Contract value for this option year is substantial, indicating continued reliance on contractor services. 2. The contract has been active since 2009, suggesting a long-term relationship and potential for institutional knowledge. 3. Competition was full and open, which typically fosters better pricing and service quality. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which incentivizes performance but requires careful oversight to manage costs. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 519190 points to 'All Other Information Services,' a broad category. 6. The contract is managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection within the Department of Homeland Security. 7. The duration of this option year is approximately 18 months.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

This contract option year represents a significant investment in IT services for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. While specific cost breakdowns for this option are not provided, the contract's longevity suggests a stable, albeit potentially escalating, cost structure. Benchmarking against similar 'All Other Information Services' contracts would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment, but the full and open competition indicates a market-driven price point.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach generally leads to a more competitive bidding process, potentially resulting in better pricing and innovation. The presence of 3 bidders (no) indicates a reasonable level of competition for this specific award.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces and encourages a wider pool of vendors to offer their best services and pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which receives essential IT services to support its mission. Services delivered likely include IT support, system maintenance, and potentially development or integration, crucial for border security operations. The geographic impact is national, supporting CBP operations across the United States. The contract supports a workforce within CSRA LLC, contributing to employment in the IT sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and that award fees are justified by performance.
The broad NAICS code 'All Other Information Services' could mask a wide range of service types, making it difficult to assess specific performance metrics without further detail.
The contract's long history (since 2009) may indicate a need for modernization or a review of current service offerings against evolving technological needs.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a healthy market engagement and a competitive pricing environment.
The contract has been exercised for multiple option years, indicating consistent performance and satisfaction with the contractor's services.
The award fee structure incentivizes the contractor to exceed performance expectations, potentially leading to higher quality service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is vast and highly competitive. This contract falls under 'All Other Information Services,' a broad category that can encompass a wide array of IT support, consulting, and data management. Spending in this area within federal agencies is substantial, driven by the increasing reliance on technology for operational efficiency and mission support. Comparable contracts often involve managed services, system integration, and cybersecurity, with pricing varying significantly based on scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides (sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities offered by the prime contractor, CSRA LLC. Without specific subcontracting plans detailed in the award data, it's difficult to assess the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, performance monitoring and cost control are critical oversight functions. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would also have jurisdiction to audit and investigate the contract for waste, fraud, and abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security IT Modernization Efforts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Mission Support Contracts
Federal Civilian Agency IT Services Procurement
Cost Plus Award Fee Contract Management

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds 5 years, potentially indicating a need for re-competition or modernization.
Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires robust oversight to manage costs effectively.
Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service details and performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.5 million to CSRA LLC. EXERCISE OPTION YEAR SIX (6)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-10-01. End: 2011-03-31.

What is the total value of the contract across all awarded years, including this option?

The provided data only details the value of the current option year exercise, which is $14,489,050.72. The contract was initially awarded in 2009, and has likely had multiple option periods exercised since then. To determine the total value across all years, one would need to access historical contract award data, including all previous option exercises and any modifications. This would involve querying contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov for the complete award history of this specific contract ID, if available, or by the contractor and agency combination over the period of performance.

How does the per-unit cost of 'All Other Information Services' for CBP compare to similar agencies?

Benchmarking the per-unit cost for 'All Other Information Services' is challenging without specific details on the services rendered under this contract and comparable contract data from other agencies. The NAICS code 519190 is very broad. To perform a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar scopes of work (e.g., IT help desk, network management, software support) awarded to similar-sized contractors by agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), or Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Analyzing the labor categories, hours, and rates billed under those contracts would allow for a more accurate per-unit cost comparison.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee for CSRA LLC?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to determine the award fee for CSRA LLC under this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract are not detailed in the provided award data. Typically, for IT services contracts, KPIs might include system uptime percentages, response times for service requests, successful completion of project milestones, user satisfaction ratings, and adherence to security protocols. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or designated government personnel would monitor these KPIs against pre-defined targets outlined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). The contractor's performance against these metrics directly influences the 'award fee' portion of their compensation.

What is CSRA LLC's track record with Department of Homeland Security contracts?

CSRA LLC (and its predecessor entities before mergers and acquisitions) has a significant history of performing contracts for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its component agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This particular contract, first awarded in 2009, demonstrates a long-standing relationship. Their track record generally involves providing a range of IT services, from infrastructure support to application development and modernization. While specific performance details for every contract are not publicly available, the consistent award and exercise of option years for this and potentially other DHS contracts suggest a generally satisfactory performance history, though like any large contractor, they may have faced challenges or scrutiny on specific projects.

How has spending on 'All Other Information Services' by CBP evolved since 2009?

To analyze the evolution of spending on 'All Other Information Services' (NAICS 519190) by CBP since 2009, one would need to aggregate data from all contracts awarded under this NAICS code by CBP over that period. This specific contract represents a portion of that spending, with its option year value being $14.5 million. Examining historical data would reveal trends, such as increases or decreases in overall spending, shifts in the types of services procured, and changes in the number and value of contracts awarded. Factors influencing these trends could include evolving CBP mission requirements, technological advancements, budget appropriations, and changes in procurement strategies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: General Dynamics Corp (UEI: 001381284)

Address: 7700 HUBBLE DRIVE, LANHAM, MD, 20706

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,321,482

Exercised Options: $14,489,051

Current Obligation: $14,489,051

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: COW3D0986

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline