DHS Awards $39.8M for ACE/ACS O&M Services to Cambridge International Systems Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,780,195 ($39.8M)
Contractor: Cambridge International Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2015-09-10
End Date: 2019-06-09
Contract Duration: 1,368 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF, ACE AND ACS O&M SUSTAINMENT AND DEVLOPMENT SERVICES TO CSPD
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22311
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $39.8 million to CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF, ACE AND ACS O&M SUSTAINMENT AND DEVLOPMENT SERVICES TO CSPD Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Cambridge International Systems Inc. for IT infrastructure services. 2. Spending falls within the Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services sector. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. The contract duration is 1368 days, with a total value of $39.8 million. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Benchmarking against similar IT O&M contracts is difficult without detailed service breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Time and Materials pricing model may not guarantee the most cost-effective outcome for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for IT operations and development services, with potential for cost inefficiencies due to the T&M contract type.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation and development of critical Customs and Border Protection IT systems. Supports national security by maintaining the infrastructure for border control operations. Potential for cost overruns impacts the efficient use of taxpayer money. The contract's duration suggests a long-term reliance on these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can inflate costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- Potential for scope creep given the 'development' aspect.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical national security functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under IT services, specifically computing infrastructure and data processing. Spending benchmarks for similar O&M contracts vary widely based on system complexity and scope.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific subcontracting goals or participation by small businesses in this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial given the Time and Materials contract type to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and that services delivered align with requirements.
Related Government Programs
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Potential for scope creep.
- Long contract duration.
Tags
computing-infrastructure-providers-data-, department-of-homeland-security, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $39.8 million to CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS INC.. IGF::CL::IGF, ACE AND ACS O&M SUSTAINMENT AND DEVLOPMENT SERVICES TO CSPD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEMS INC..
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 $39.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2015-09-10. End: 2019-06-09.
What specific IT systems are covered under ACE and ACS O&M, and what are the key performance indicators for their sustainment and development?
The contract covers sustainment and development services for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and the Automated Commercial System (ACS). Specific performance indicators are not detailed in the provided data but would typically include system uptime, response times, security compliance, and successful deployment of new features or updates to support trade processing and border security.
How does the Time and Materials pricing model compare to fixed-price or cost-plus-incentive-fee models for similar IT O&M sustainment contracts in terms of cost control?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts offer flexibility but carry higher risk for cost overruns as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs. Fixed-price contracts provide cost certainty but can stifle scope changes, while cost-plus contracts incentivize efficiency but require robust oversight. For IT O&M, T&M can be suitable for undefined scopes but requires stringent monitoring to prevent excessive spending compared to more structured contract types.
What is the projected taxpayer impact if the contract's total value of $39.8 million is fully utilized, considering potential cost escalations?
The full utilization of $39.8 million represents a significant investment in critical IT infrastructure. If cost escalations occur due to the T&M structure or scope creep, the actual taxpayer impact could exceed this amount, potentially diverting funds from other essential government programs. Effective oversight is key to mitigating this risk.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: HSBP1015R0006
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2300 CLARENDON BLVD STE 705, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $39,780,195
Exercised Options: $39,780,195
Current Obligation: $39,780,195
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC13DE2030
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2015-09-10
Current End Date: 2019-06-09
Potential End Date: 2019-06-09 16:44:25
Last Modified: 2019-08-21
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