Over $34M for Software Support of Border Enforcement Systems by Science Applications International Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,260,154 ($34.3M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2017-01-01

End Date: 2019-08-31

Contract Duration: 972 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::CL,CT::IGF THIS TASK ORDER IS ISSUED TO DELIVER SOFTWARE SUPPORT, INCLUDING O&M AND ENHANCEMENT, IN SUPPORT OF THE BORDER ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DIVISION AND PASSENGER SYSTEMS PROGRAM DIRECTORATE.

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22153

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $34.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORP for work described as: IGF::CL,CT::IGF THIS TASK ORDER IS ISSUED TO DELIVER SOFTWARE SUPPORT, INCLUDING O&M AND ENHANCEMENT, IN SUPPORT OF THE BORDER ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DIVISION AND PASSENGER SYSTEMS PROGRAM DIRECTORATE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical software maintenance and enhancements for border management systems. 2. Full and open competition indicates a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Firm-fixed-price contract type suggests predictable costs for the government. 4. Contract duration of 972 days (approx. 2.7 years) provides a stable support period. 5. Focus on software operations, maintenance, and enhancements highlights ongoing system needs. 6. The contract value of $34.2M over its term warrants scrutiny for value for money.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $34.2 million over approximately 2.7 years averages to about $12.7 million per year. Benchmarking this against similar IT support contracts for large-scale government systems is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price nature suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for value if the scope is well-defined. The pricing should be assessed against industry standards for software operations and maintenance for complex systems.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition. The number of bidders is not specified, which would provide further insight into the actual level of competition achieved.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation from multiple vendors.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection, by ensuring the operational readiness of critical border enforcement systems. Delivers essential software support, including operations, maintenance, and enhancements, for the Border Enforcement Management System Division and Passenger Systems Program Directorate. Geographic impact is national, supporting border security operations across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for IT professionals at Science Applications International Corp. to be engaged in maintaining and improving vital national security infrastructure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if enhancement requirements are not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical system support could pose risks if performance issues arise.
Ensuring ongoing alignment with evolving border security needs requires proactive contract management.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
Long-term support contract ensures continuity for critical systems.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant segment of the IT industry focused on providing specialized software and systems support. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms capable of undertaking complex government IT projects. This contract represents a portion of the broader federal spending on IT infrastructure and national security systems, aiming to maintain and enhance capabilities for border management.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a large business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the supply chain or subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract places cost control responsibility on the contractor. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of performance metrics and any modifications to the contract. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Border Enforcement Management System (BEMS)
Passenger Systems Program Directorate
Department of Homeland Security IT Modernization Efforts
Federal IT Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Risk of system obsolescence if enhancements do not keep pace with technology.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities inherent in large-scale IT systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $34.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORP. IGF::CL,CT::IGF THIS TASK ORDER IS ISSUED TO DELIVER SOFTWARE SUPPORT, INCLUDING O&M AND ENHANCEMENT, IN SUPPORT OF THE BORDER ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM DIVISION AND PASSENGER SYSTEMS PROGRAM DIRECTORATE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORP.

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 $34.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-01-01. End: 2019-08-31.

What is the historical spending trend for software support of the Border Enforcement Management System (BEMS) and related programs by DHS?

Analyzing historical spending for BEMS and related programs by DHS requires access to detailed federal procurement databases. Typically, such systems involve significant, ongoing investment in software operations, maintenance, and enhancements due to evolving security needs and technological advancements. Spending can fluctuate based on modernization initiatives, system upgrades, and the overall threat landscape. Without specific historical data for this particular contract or program, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, it is common for large-scale federal IT systems like BEMS to have multi-year support contracts in the tens of millions of dollars annually, reflecting the complexity and criticality of the systems they support. Trends often show increasing costs over time due to system complexity and the need for continuous updates, unless significant re-architecture or replacement occurs.

How does the per-year cost of this contract compare to similar IT support contracts for federal border security or law enforcement systems?

The annual cost for this contract is approximately $12.7 million ($34.2M / 2.7 years). Comparing this to similar IT support contracts for federal border security or law enforcement systems requires detailed benchmarking. Contracts for large-scale, mission-critical systems often involve substantial costs due to the complexity, security requirements, and 24/7 operational demands. For instance, other federal agencies managing large databases, surveillance systems, or communication networks might have annual IT support costs ranging from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the system's scale and criticality. Factors like the number of users, data volume, required uptime, and specific services (e.g., cybersecurity, cloud migration, legacy system maintenance) heavily influence pricing. Without specific details on comparable contracts' scope and deliverables, a precise benchmark is difficult, but $12.7M annually for a system like BEMS appears within a plausible range for complex federal IT operations.

What is Science Applications International Corp.'s (SAIC) track record with DHS and similar federal IT contracts?

Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) is a major federal contractor with a significant history of providing IT services, systems engineering, and technical support to various government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). SAIC has held numerous contracts with DHS components, often involving large-scale IT modernization, cybersecurity, and mission support. Their track record generally includes experience with complex systems and large program management. Performance reviews and past performance evaluations on previous contracts are critical indicators. While SAIC is a well-established player, the success of any specific contract, including this one, depends on effective program management, technical execution, and adherence to contract requirements. Reviewing specific past performance data and any reported issues or successes on similar DHS contracts would provide a more granular assessment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this software support contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a software support contract like this typically focus on system availability, performance, security, and responsiveness. For the Border Enforcement Management System (BEMS), critical KPIs would likely include: System Uptime/Availability (e.g., 99.9% or higher), Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) for system outages, response times for help desk tickets and issue resolution, successful deployment rates for software updates and enhancements, adherence to security protocols and vulnerability remediation timelines, and user satisfaction ratings. The contract's Service Level Agreements (SLAs) would define these KPIs, along with associated remedies or incentives for meeting or failing to meet performance targets. Regular performance reviews between CBP and SAIC would track progress against these KPIs.

Are there any known risks associated with the Border Enforcement Management System (BEMS) that this contract aims to mitigate?

The Border Enforcement Management System (BEMS) is a critical component of U.S. border security, managing vast amounts of data related to individuals, conveyances, and cargo. Risks associated with such systems often include cybersecurity vulnerabilities, data integrity issues, system performance degradation due to aging infrastructure or increased load, and the potential for obsolescence if not continuously updated. This contract, by providing operations, maintenance, and enhancement, directly aims to mitigate these risks. Enhancements ensure the system keeps pace with evolving threats and operational requirements, while maintenance ensures reliability and security. Failure to adequately support BEMS could lead to security gaps, operational inefficiencies, and compromised data, impacting border control effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Science Applications International Corporation (UEI: 078745061)

Address: 11720 PLAZA AMERICA DR, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,311,086

Exercised Options: $34,260,154

Current Obligation: $34,260,154

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSBP1013D00021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline