DHS awarded $26.9M for engineering services, with a 478-day duration, to STARR II JV

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,891,270 ($26.9M)

Contractor: Starr II, a Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2016-02-29

End Date: 2017-06-21

Contract Duration: 478 days

Daily Burn Rate: $56.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL SERVICE (PTS) FOR STANDARD OPERATIONS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR THIS CONTRACT IS 03/01/2016 TO 02/28/2017 AND IS BEING INCREMENTALLY FUNDED.

Place of Performance

Location: MOUNT WEATHER, CLARKE County, VIRGINIA, 20135

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $26.9 million to STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL SERVICE (PTS) FOR STANDARD OPERATIONS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR THIS CONTRACT IS 03/01/2016 TO 02/28/2017 AND IS BEING INCREMENTALLY FUNDED. Key points: 1. The contract's value of $26.9 million over 478 days suggests a significant investment in engineering services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, the contract aimed to leverage a broad range of capabilities. 3. The use of a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type indicates performance-based incentives. 4. The contract was incrementally funded, a common practice for long-term service agreements. 5. The agency is the Department of Homeland Security, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency as the specific procuring entity. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract requires more detailed cost breakdowns and comparison to similar engineering service contracts within FEMA or DHS. The total award of $26.9 million over approximately 16 months (478 days) averages to roughly $56,258 per month. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The CPAF structure suggests that the government intended to incentivize good performance, but the ultimate value realized depends on the award fees paid.

Cost Per Unit: $56,258 per month (average)

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources. The data does not specify the number of bids received, but this approach generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The agency's decision to use full and open competition suggests confidence in the market's ability to provide the required engineering services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), receiving essential engineering support. The services delivered are engineering services, crucial for supporting FEMA's operational needs and disaster response infrastructure. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal agency operations. Workforce implications include employment for engineers and technical staff within the contractor organization, STARR II, A Joint Venture.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Incremental funding can sometimes indicate uncertainty in the total program cost or scope.
The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure, while incentivizing, can lead to higher costs if award fees are consistently maximized without clear justification of superior performance.
Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in the provided data makes it hard to assess if the full value was achieved.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and competitive bidding process.
The contract is for essential engineering services, indicating a clear need and strategic alignment with agency missions.
The use of an award fee structure demonstrates an intent to reward high performance.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a critical component of government contracting, supporting a wide array of federal agencies. This contract falls under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The market for engineering services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized expertise. Government spending in this area often supports infrastructure projects, research and development, and operational support for agencies like FEMA, which requires significant technical and engineering capacity for disaster preparedness and response.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, STARR II, A Joint Venture, may or may not have small business subcontracting goals as part of its overall business strategy, but this is not explicitly detailed in the provided information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting officers and program managers. As part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there is also potential oversight from the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) for significant issues or investigations. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, where basic contract information is made public. Accountability is driven by the terms of the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, requiring the contractor to meet performance standards to earn award fees.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Operations Support
Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Response Services
Engineering and Technical Consulting Services
Government-wide Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Incremental Funding
Cost Plus Award Fee Structure
Limited Publicly Available Performance Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $26.9 million to STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE. IGF::CT::IGF PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL SERVICE (PTS) FOR STANDARD OPERATIONS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE FOR THIS CONTRACT IS 03/01/2016 TO 02/28/2017 AND IS BEING INCREMENTALLY FUNDED.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STARR II, A JOINT VENTURE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-02-29. End: 2017-06-21.

What specific engineering services were provided under this contract?

The provided data identifies the contract as being for 'IGF::CT::IGF PRODUCTION AND TECHNICAL SERVICE (PTS) FOR STANDARD OPERATIONS'. While the NAICS code 541330 indicates 'Engineering Services', the specific nature of the 'Production and Technical Service (PTS)' for 'Standard Operations' is not detailed. This could encompass a wide range of activities, from technical consulting and system design to operational support and maintenance of existing infrastructure or systems relevant to FEMA's mission. Further details on the Statement of Work (SOW) would be necessary to ascertain the precise services rendered.

How does the $56,258 monthly average cost compare to similar engineering service contracts?

Comparing the average monthly cost of $56,258 requires benchmarking against similar engineering service contracts awarded by FEMA or DHS for comparable services and scope. Without access to detailed cost breakdowns, specific deliverables, and the complexity of the engineering tasks performed, a direct comparison is challenging. However, for context, government-wide average monthly costs for engineering services can vary significantly based on specialization (e.g., civil, electrical, mechanical, IT) and the level of expertise required. This figure appears moderate for specialized engineering support, but a definitive assessment would necessitate a detailed analysis of contract specifics and market rates for similar services.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) that determined the award fee for STARR II, A Joint Venture?

The provided data indicates the contract type is 'COST PLUS AWARD FEE' (CPAF), which means that the contractor's performance against specific criteria influences the amount of award fee earned. However, the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance standards used to determine these award fees are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, for engineering services, KPIs might include timeliness of delivery, quality of work, adherence to budget (where applicable beyond base fee), innovation, and customer satisfaction. The contracting officer would have established these metrics in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS).

What is the significance of the contract being incrementally funded?

Incremental funding means that the contract is funded in stages, rather than with the full amount obligated at the time of award. This is a common practice for contracts that span multiple fiscal years or have a duration that extends beyond the current year's budget appropriation. For this contract, it suggests that the full $26.9 million was not obligated upfront. This approach allows agencies to manage their budgets more effectively and provides flexibility if program needs or funding levels change. It also mitigates risk by not obligating funds for work that may not ultimately be performed if the contract is terminated early.

What is the track record of STARR II, A Joint Venture with DHS or FEMA?

The provided data identifies STARR II, A Joint Venture as the contractor. To assess their track record specifically with DHS or FEMA, one would need to consult historical contract databases (like FPDS) for previous awards to this entity from these agencies. Joint ventures often form to pool resources and expertise for specific large contracts. Without further data on their past performance on similar contracts, it's difficult to provide a detailed assessment of their track record. However, being awarded a contract of this size and type suggests they met the agency's requirements during the procurement process.

How does the contract duration of 478 days impact the overall value assessment?

The contract duration of 478 days (approximately 15.7 months) is a key factor in assessing value. It indicates a medium-term engagement for the engineering services. Spreading the total award of $26.9 million over this period results in an average monthly expenditure of about $56,258. A longer duration for a fixed scope might suggest a lower intensity of work or a more phased approach, while a shorter duration for the same scope could imply higher intensity and potentially higher monthly costs. The duration needs to be evaluated in conjunction with the specific tasks and deliverables outlined in the contract's Statement of Work to determine if the pace of work aligns with the agency's needs and provides good value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3901 CALVERTON BLVD STE 400, CALVERTON, MD, 20705

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,454,983

Exercised Options: $27,454,983

Current Obligation: $26,891,270

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFE6015D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline