DHS Awards $23M for Low Energy Drive-Through Portals, Sole-Sourced to AS&E
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,957,290 ($23.0M)
Contractor: American Science & Engineering Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2017-08-09
End Date: 2023-09-29
Contract Duration: 2,242 days
Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF LOW ENERGY DRIVE-THROUGH PORTALS FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION.
Place of Performance
Location: BILLERICA, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01821
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $23.0 million to AMERICAN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF LOW ENERGY DRIVE-THROUGH PORTALS FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION. Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized inspection technology. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Focus on border security highlights critical national security implications. 4. The sector is characterized by high-tech, specialized equipment providers.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $22.9M over six years suggests a substantial investment. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar irradiation apparatus manufacturing contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in higher taxpayer costs than if the contract had been competitively bid.
Public Impact
Enhances border security capabilities for vehicle inspections. Utilizes advanced irradiation technology for screening. Supports the Department of Homeland Security's mission to secure borders.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current market prices.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical national security need.
- Utilizes specialized technology for effective screening.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing sector, which often involves high-value, specialized equipment. Spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific market data on similar sole-source procurements.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, American Science & Engineering Inc., is a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny from oversight bodies to ensure the government received fair value. Transparency in the justification for the sole-source award is crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for inflated pricing
- Limited transparency on justification
- No small business participation indicated
Tags
irradiation-apparatus-manufacturing, department-of-homeland-security, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $23.0 million to AMERICAN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING INC. IGF::OT::IGF LOW ENERGY DRIVE-THROUGH PORTALS FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 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 $23.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-08-09. End: 2023-09-29.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and was a market survey conducted to confirm the absence of other capable sources?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED'. A thorough justification for a sole-source award is typically required, outlining why only one vendor could meet the requirement. This often involves specialized technology or unique capabilities. Without the specific justification document, it's impossible to confirm if a market survey was performed or its findings.
How does the per-unit cost of these drive-through portals compare to similar systems procured competitively by other agencies or countries?
The data does not provide a per-unit cost, only the total contract value. Benchmarking is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award. A comparison would require identifying similar systems and their acquisition costs, which are not available here. This lack of comparative data makes it difficult to assess value for money.
What are the performance metrics and expected outcomes for these low-energy drive-through portals, and how will their effectiveness be measured?
The data specifies the product as 'LOW ENERGY DRIVE-THROUGH PORTALS FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION' and the awarding agency as U.S. Customs and Border Protection. While the purpose is clear, specific performance metrics, expected outcomes, and measurement methodologies are not detailed in the provided information. Effectiveness would likely be measured by throughput, detection rates, and operational reliability.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: OSI Systems Inc
Address: 829 MIDDLESEX TPKE, BILLERICA, MA, 01821
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,275,069
Exercised Options: $22,957,290
Current Obligation: $22,957,290
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSBP1016D00016
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-08-09
Current End Date: 2023-09-29
Potential End Date: 2029-06-30 10:39:31
Last Modified: 2025-05-20
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