DHS awards $49M for SBInet Block 1 design and qualification to Boeing under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,038,758 ($49.0M)

Contractor: THE Boeing Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2010-05-28

End Date: 2011-06-30

Contract Duration: 398 days

Daily Burn Rate: $123.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: EFFORT FOR THE DESIGN AND QUALIFICATION ACTIVITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOY THE SBINET BLOCK 1 SYSTEM. WORK IS LIMITED TO BLOCK 1 ACTIVITIES ONLY AND THERE IS NO WORK IN THIS TASK ODER FOR DEPLOYMENTS BEYOND THE AJO-1 DEPLOYMENT.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $49.0 million to THE BOEING COMPANY for work described as: EFFORT FOR THE DESIGN AND QUALIFICATION ACTIVITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOY THE SBINET BLOCK 1 SYSTEM. WORK IS LIMITED TO BLOCK 1 ACTIVITIES ONLY AND THERE IS NO WORK IN THIS TASK ODER FOR DEPLOYMENTS BEYOND THE AJO-1 DEPLOYMENT. Key points: 1. Boeing secured a $49M contract for SBInet Block 1 design and qualification. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 3. The scope is limited to Block 1 activities and AJO-1 deployment. 4. This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPAF contracts in similar technical services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific pricing mechanisms of CPAF contracts can obscure true price discovery compared to fixed-price contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for system design and qualification, with potential for cost overruns inherent in CPAF contracts.

Public Impact

Impacts border security technology development through SBInet program. Potential for system performance and deployment delays if design/qualification phases are not managed effectively. The use of CPAF may incentivize contractor performance but also carries cost risk.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically related to IT system development and implementation for border security. Spending benchmarks for such specialized design and qualification efforts can vary widely based on complexity and technology maturity.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to The Boeing Company, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting limited direct opportunities for small businesses on this particular task order.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract type (CPAF) requires careful oversight to manage award fees and ensure costs align with performance objectives. The limited scope suggests ongoing oversight will be needed for subsequent phases.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-homeland-security, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $49.0 million to THE BOEING COMPANY. EFFORT FOR THE DESIGN AND QUALIFICATION ACTIVITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOY THE SBINET BLOCK 1 SYSTEM. WORK IS LIMITED TO BLOCK 1 ACTIVITIES ONLY AND THERE IS NO WORK IN THIS TASK ODER FOR DEPLOYMENTS BEYOND THE AJO-1 DEPLOYMENT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BOEING COMPANY.

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 $49.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-05-28. End: 2011-06-30.

What is the expected value realization from the SBInet Block 1 design and qualification activities?

The value realization is tied to the successful design and qualification of the SBInet Block 1 system, which is intended to enhance border security. The effectiveness of this value depends on the system's eventual deployment and operational performance. The CPAF structure aims to link contractor compensation to achieving specific performance goals, theoretically maximizing value if well-executed.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for taxpayers?

The primary risks for taxpayers include potential cost overruns due to the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure, where the final cost is not fixed. There's also a risk that the design and qualification activities may not adequately prepare the system for successful deployment, leading to wasted investment. Furthermore, if the system doesn't perform as expected post-deployment, the initial investment may not yield the intended security benefits.

How effective is the competition method in ensuring optimal pricing for this type of service?

Full and open competition is generally effective in driving competitive pricing. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type introduces complexity. While competition sets the initial baseline, the award fee component requires robust government oversight to ensure that fees are only paid for exceptional performance, preventing inflated costs and ensuring the government receives good value for its investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesOther Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesAll Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTGeneral Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5301 BOLSA AVE, HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA, 92647

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,027,838

Exercised Options: $50,412,953

Current Obligation: $49,038,758

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSBP1006D01353

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2010-05-28

Current End Date: 2011-06-30

Potential End Date: 2011-06-30 19:17:53

Last Modified: 2021-06-20

More Contracts from THE Boeing Company

View all THE Boeing Company federal contracts →

Other Department of Homeland Security Contracts

View all Department of Homeland Security contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending