DHS awards $13.6M for acquisition and program management support, with a 3-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,598,596 ($13.6M)

Contractor: Netstar-1 Government Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-03-14

End Date: 2010-05-15

Contract Duration: 1,158 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Sector: Other

Official Description: ACQUISITION AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20536

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.6 million to NETSTAR-1 GOVERNMENT CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: ACQUISITION AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. Services focus on administrative and general management consulting. 3. Contractor has a single award for this specific service. 4. Performance period spans over three years. 5. Geographic location of performance is Washington D.C. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.6 million over approximately three years for acquisition and program management support appears within a reasonable range for specialized consulting services. However, without specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and the number of hours or personnel involved, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comparable services would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific award mechanism, a BPA Call, implies that a broader Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) or Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) was previously competed, and this call order was then placed against that established agreement. The level of competition for the underlying BPA/BOA would be a key factor in determining price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

Federal agencies benefit from enhanced acquisition and program management capabilities. Improved efficiency and effectiveness in government program execution. Support services are delivered within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Potential for a specialized workforce to support federal program needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor effectiveness.
Limited transparency on the specific tasks and deliverables under this BPA Call.
Potential for scope creep if not managed diligently.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract duration of over three years provides stability for program support.
Contractor is established in providing consulting services.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is crucial for government operations, providing expertise to improve efficiency, manage complex programs, and support strategic decision-making. Spending in this area often fluctuates with agency needs for specialized support that cannot be met by in-house staff.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, it does not directly contribute to the small business contracting goals for this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral for this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting requirements. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues or investigations related to performance or financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Acquisition Support Services
Program Management Consulting
Administrative Support Services
Management and Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Contract awarded via BPA Call - requires review of underlying BPA/BOA competition.
Limited public detail on specific deliverables and performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.6 million to NETSTAR-1 GOVERNMENT CONSULTING, INC.. ACQUISITION AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NETSTAR-1 GOVERNMENT CONSULTING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-14. End: 2010-05-15.

What specific types of acquisition and program management support were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'ACQUISITION AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES' under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). While the general category is clear, the specific tasks could range widely. This might include support in areas such as strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, acquisition strategy development, program planning and execution, risk management, and performance management. Without access to the detailed statement of work (SOW) or task orders issued under this BPA Call, the precise nature of the support remains unspecified. These services are critical for ensuring federal programs are acquired and managed efficiently and effectively.

How does the $13.6 million contract value compare to similar contracts for acquisition and program management support?

Benchmarking the $13.6 million contract value requires comparing it against similar contracts awarded by federal agencies for acquisition and program management support services, particularly those under NAICS code 541611. Factors such as contract duration (1158 days, approximately 3.17 years), the specific agency (DHS), and the level of expertise required significantly influence pricing. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing the average contract value, average duration, and average per-year cost for similar services. Given the duration, the average annual spend is approximately $4.3 million. This figure needs to be assessed against market rates for consulting services of this nature, considering the complexity and criticality of acquisition and program management functions within a large agency like DHS.

What is the track record of NETSTAR-1 GOVERNMENT CONSULTING, INC. in providing similar services to the federal government?

NETSTAR-1 GOVERNMENT CONSULTING, INC. has been awarded this specific contract for acquisition and program management support services by the Department of Homeland Security. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their contract history across various federal agencies. This includes looking at the number and value of previous awards, the types of services rendered, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A positive track record would involve successful completion of similar projects, adherence to timelines and budgets, and positive feedback from government clients. Without a broader view of their federal contract portfolio, it's difficult to definitively assess their overall track record beyond this single award.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks associated with this contract could include scope creep, where the services provided extend beyond the original intent, leading to cost overruns. Another risk is the potential for contractor underperformance, failing to deliver the expected quality or timeliness of support. Furthermore, reliance on external consultants for critical functions like acquisition and program management can pose risks if knowledge transfer is inadequate or if the contractor's personnel lack the necessary institutional knowledge. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management, clear definition of scope and deliverables in task orders, regular performance reviews, and strong communication channels between the government and the contractor. The use of a BPA Call mechanism, while efficient, requires careful oversight to ensure each call order is well-defined and justified.

How does this contract align with the Department of Homeland Security's overall mission and strategic goals?

Acquisition and program management support services are fundamental to the effective and efficient operation of any large federal agency, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS is responsible for a vast array of complex missions, from border security and disaster response to cybersecurity and counterterrorism. Successful execution of these missions relies heavily on robust acquisition processes for necessary equipment and services, and effective program management to oversee ongoing initiatives. Therefore, contracts like this one, providing specialized expertise in these areas, directly support DHS's ability to achieve its strategic objectives by ensuring that resources are acquired and managed optimally, thereby enhancing the agency's overall operational effectiveness and mission accomplishment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Netstar-1 Inc.

Address: 7926 JONES BRANCH DR STE 900, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,598,596

Exercised Options: $13,598,596

Current Obligation: $13,598,596

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSCEOP06AAQ009

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline