DHS awarded $40.6M for IT services to Science Applications International Corporation, a competitive delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $40,559,086 ($40.6M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-09-30

End Date: 2012-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,096 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTRALIZED ACCESS DEVELOPMENT (LECAD)

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 $40.6 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTRALIZED ACCESS DEVELOPMENT (LECAD) Key points: 1. The contract was awarded competitively, suggesting potential for good value. 2. The fixed-fee structure provides some cost control for the government. 3. The duration of the contract (3 years) allows for sustained service delivery. 4. The specific IT services procured are crucial for law enforcement operations. 5. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large federal IT procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $40.6 million over three years for IT services appears reasonable, especially given it was competitively awarded. While specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns are not provided, the fixed-fee structure suggests a degree of cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar IT services contracts within DHS or other agencies would provide a more precise value assessment, but the competitive nature implies a market-driven price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specific requirement. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as vendors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award through potentially lower prices and a wider range of service options compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

Law enforcement agencies, specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), benefit from enhanced IT infrastructure and services. The contract supports the development and maintenance of systems critical for centralized access to law enforcement data. Services are delivered within the District of Columbia, impacting federal IT operations in the capital. The contract likely supports IT professionals and technicians, contributing to the federal IT workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose risks if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.
Fixed-fee contract provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract duration allows for stable service provision and relationship building.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on computer facilities management services. The federal IT market is vast, with agencies consistently investing in infrastructure, software, and services to support their missions. This $40.6 million contract is a moderate-sized award within this sector, contributing to the overall spending on IT modernization and operational support for law enforcement functions.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of the services and the prime contractor's size, it's possible that larger IT firms were the primary focus. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was encouraged or mandated through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officers and program managers. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Law Enforcement IT Modernization
Department of Homeland Security IT Services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Technology Procurement
Computer Facilities Management Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Risk of technical obsolescence
Dependence on contractor performance for critical operations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $40.6 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTRALIZED ACCESS DEVELOPMENT (LECAD)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

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 $40.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-30. End: 2012-09-30.

What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a significant history of contracting with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) across various agencies and mission areas. Their portfolio includes a wide range of services, from IT infrastructure and cybersecurity to mission support and systems engineering. SAIC has been a major player in federal IT services for many years, and their extensive experience with DHS suggests a strong understanding of the department's complex requirements and operational environment. Analyzing specific past performance reviews and contract histories with DHS would provide a more granular view of their reliability and effectiveness in delivering similar services.

How does the $40.6 million contract value compare to similar IT services contracts awarded by DHS?

The $40.6 million contract value for IT services over three years is a moderate-sized award within the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) overall IT spending. DHS procures a vast array of IT services, ranging from small, specialized support contracts to multi-billion dollar enterprise-wide solutions. Contracts for computer facilities management and IT support services often fall within this mid-range value. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to benchmark against contracts with similar scope, duration, and service type (e.g., NAICS code 541513) awarded by DHS or other large federal agencies in recent years. However, it is not an outlier and represents a typical investment for sustaining critical IT operations.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract for law enforcement IT services?

Primary risks for this contract include potential technical obsolescence, as IT systems can quickly become outdated. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if the chosen solutions are proprietary and difficult to transition away from. Performance degradation or security vulnerabilities introduced by the contractor could significantly impact law enforcement operations, given the sensitive nature of the data and systems involved. Furthermore, challenges in managing the contract, such as scope creep or inadequate oversight, could lead to cost overruns or missed deadlines, impacting the delivery of essential law enforcement capabilities.

How effective has SAIC been in delivering computer facilities management services in previous federal contracts?

SAIC has a long-standing reputation and extensive experience in delivering IT and computer facilities management services across the federal government. Their past performance reviews and contract histories generally indicate a capability to meet complex requirements. However, effectiveness can vary significantly depending on the specific contract, agency, and program management. While SAIC is a large, established contractor, specific metrics on performance, timeliness, and adherence to budget for similar contracts would be needed for a definitive assessment of their effectiveness in this particular service area. Government contract databases and performance rating systems (like CPARS) would offer more detailed insights.

What are the historical spending patterns for computer facilities management services within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as a component of DHS, consistently invests in computer facilities management services to maintain its vast IT infrastructure. Historical spending patterns reveal a significant and ongoing need for these services to support data centers, network operations, and end-user support. While specific annual figures fluctuate based on modernization projects, operational demands, and budget allocations, ICE's IT budget generally includes substantial allocations for maintaining and upgrading its computing environments. This $40.6 million contract represents a portion of that ongoing investment, reflecting the continuous requirement for robust IT support to fulfill ICE's law enforcement mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSCETC-09-R-00022

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, 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: $61,963,558

Exercised Options: $45,724,839

Current Obligation: $40,559,086

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC06D00026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline