Battelle Memorial Institute awarded $32.2M for NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS by DHS

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,221,446 ($32.2M)

Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-06-12

End Date: 2014-10-29

Contract Duration: 1,965 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.4K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $32.2 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Contract value of $32.2M over 5 years suggests a significant operational requirement. 2. The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of potential services. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type generally shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 4. The contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, implying some level of market engagement. 5. The duration of 1965 days (approx. 5.4 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 6. The contract's focus on 'WATCH DESK OPERATIONS' points to critical intelligence or monitoring functions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $32.2 million over approximately 5.4 years averages to about $5.96 million annually. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data for 'NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS,' it is difficult to definitively benchmark value. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government if managed effectively. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and market rates for similar watch desk operations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER,' indicating that it was competed under a broader contract vehicle. The presence of 7 bidders (no) suggests a reasonably competitive environment for this specific delivery order. Competition is generally beneficial for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing. The fact that it was competed implies that multiple firms had the opportunity to bid on this requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even for a delivery order, helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical watch desk operations. Services likely involve monitoring, analysis, and reporting related to national security or critical infrastructure. The contract is geographically focused on the District of Columbia (DC). The workforce implications would involve personnel required to perform the watch desk functions, potentially including analysts and technical staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess true value for money.
The broad NAICS code (541690) could encompass a wide range of services, making precise cost comparison difficult.
Limited information on the specific nature of 'WATCH DESK OPERATIONS' hinders a deeper risk assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating multiple bids were considered.
Firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need that has been met consistently.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector. This broad category often includes specialized analytical, advisory, and operational support services. The market for such services is diverse, with many firms capable of providing intelligence analysis, monitoring, and operational support. Benchmarking spending in this specific niche of 'watch desk operations' is challenging without more granular data, but overall government spending on consulting services is substantial.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses (ss=false, sb=false). Therefore, small businesses would likely participate as subcontractors if they possess the specialized skills required for watch desk operations. The prime contractor, Battelle Memorial Institute, is a large research and development organization, suggesting a potential for subcontracting opportunities, though the extent is not specified.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. As a delivery order under a larger contract, existing oversight mechanisms for that vehicle would likely apply. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but specific operational details of watch desk functions may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence Analysis Services
Critical Infrastructure Protection
National Security Operations Support
Threat Monitoring Services
Technical Consulting

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Broad NAICS code limits specific cost comparisons.
Nature of 'watch desk operations' can be sensitive and difficult to publicly assess.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $32.2 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-06-12. End: 2014-10-29.

What specific types of data or intelligence are monitored by the NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS?

The provided data does not specify the exact types of data or intelligence monitored. However, given the 'NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS' designation and the Department of Homeland Security as the agency, it is highly probable that the operations involve monitoring a wide range of inputs related to national security, critical infrastructure status, cyber threats, emergency events, and potential terrorist activities. This could include feeds from sensors, news media, open-source intelligence, classified intelligence reports, and law enforcement alerts. The goal is typically to provide situational awareness and early warning of developing threats or incidents.

How does the $32.2 million contract value compare to similar watch desk operations contracts?

Direct comparison of the $32.2 million award value for 'NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS' to similar contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of specialized watch desk operations contracts across the federal government. The value represents an average annual spend of approximately $5.96 million over its 5.4-year duration. This figure needs to be assessed against the scope, complexity, and criticality of the operations performed. Factors such as the number of personnel, technology employed, and the breadth of intelligence sources monitored would influence the cost. Without these details, a precise benchmark is not feasible, but the amount suggests a significant and ongoing operational requirement.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Battelle Memorial Institute's performance on this contract?

The provided contract data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for watch desk operations, KPIs might include metrics related to response times for alerts, accuracy of threat assessments, completeness of reporting, uptime of monitoring systems, and adherence to standard operating procedures. The contracting officer's representative (COR) within DHS would be responsible for establishing and monitoring these KPIs to ensure the contractor is meeting the required performance standards outlined in the contract's statement of work.

What is the historical spending trend for NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS or similar services by DHS?

The provided data represents a single contract award for 'NICC WATCH DESK OPERATIONS' from 2009 to 2014. It does not offer historical spending trends for this specific service or for DHS's broader spending in this category. To establish a trend, one would need to analyze contract awards over multiple fiscal years, looking at both sole-source and competitive contracts related to watch desk operations, intelligence analysis, and situational awareness within DHS. This would reveal patterns of increasing, decreasing, or stable investment in these critical functions.

What level of risk is associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for these types of services?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract generally places the most risk on the contractor, as they are obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. For services like watch desk operations, the primary risks for the contractor include underestimating labor hours, unforeseen technical challenges, or increased operational costs. For the government, the risk with FFP is primarily related to ensuring the contractor doesn't cut corners on quality to maintain profitability. However, FFP is often preferred for services with well-defined scopes, as it provides cost certainty for the government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 505 KING AVENUE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,297,174

Exercised Options: $32,221,446

Current Obligation: $32,221,446

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC09D00006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline