Leidos Aspen Systems Corp awarded $15.16M for Information Services by DHS USCIS

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,161,367 ($15.2M)

Contractor: Leidos Aspen Systems Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-11-28

End Date: 2008-12-12

Contract Duration: 380 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.9K/day

Competition Type: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: OPTION YR ONE

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $15.2 million to LEIDOS ASPEN SYSTEMS CORP for work described as: OPTION YR ONE Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature of the contract. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract mitigating cost overrun risks. 4. Performance context is for information services, a critical but broad category. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services for a government agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $15.16 million for one year of service is within a reasonable range for IT services. However, without specific details on the services rendered, a direct comparison to similar contracts is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests an attempt to control costs, but the lack of competition could mean the government did not secure the lowest possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a non-competitive delivery order. This means that only one vendor, Leidos Aspen Systems Corp, was solicited and awarded the contract. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or negotiate more favorable pricing. It is unclear why this contract was not competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. This also reduces transparency in the procurement process.

Public Impact

USCIS benefits from the provision of essential information services. The services delivered are critical for the operational functioning of USCIS. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal operations. Workforce implications are likely internal to USCIS and Leidos Aspen Systems Corp.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency in the sole-source award process.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to non-competitive nature.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps manage cost certainty.
Award to an established entity suggests potential for reliable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The Information Services sector is a vast and critical component of the IT industry, encompassing a wide range of services from data management to software development. Government spending in this area is substantial, supporting agency operations and digital transformation initiatives. This contract, valued at over $15 million, represents a significant investment within this sector, likely supporting core functions of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. As a sole-source award to a large corporation, it is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting occurred.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve contract officers and program managers within DHS USCIS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

DHS IT Modernization
USCIS Case Management Systems
Federal Information Technology Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Limited transparency on specific services rendered.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $15.2 million to LEIDOS ASPEN SYSTEMS CORP. OPTION YR ONE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEIDOS ASPEN SYSTEMS CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-11-28. End: 2008-12-12.

What specific information services were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 519190, 'All Other Information Services.' This broad category can encompass a wide array of services, including data processing, information retrieval, database management, and potentially IT support or consulting. Without further details from the contract award documentation, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact services rendered. However, given the agency (USCIS), these services likely supported immigration processing, case management, or internal operational data systems. The duration of the contract (approximately one year) suggests a focused scope of work rather than a long-term, large-scale system development.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The reason for the sole-source award is not provided in the abbreviated data. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified under specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required service, there is an urgent need, or it's a follow-on contract to a previously competed effort where the original contractor possesses unique knowledge or capabilities. Without this justification, it remains a point of concern regarding competition and potential value for taxpayers. Further investigation into the contract file or agency justifications would be necessary to understand the rationale.

How does the $15.16 million contract value compare to similar IT services contracts for USCIS?

Comparing the $15.16 million contract value requires context on the scope and duration of services. For a one-year contract, this amount is substantial for 'All Other Information Services.' USCIS has a significant IT budget, and contracts for case management systems, data analytics, and infrastructure support can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars. However, this specific award is for a delivery order, suggesting it might be a component of a larger program or a specific task. Benchmarking would ideally involve looking at other sole-source or competitively awarded contracts for similar information services within USCIS or other Department of Homeland Security components over comparable timeframes.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for information services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for information services include a lack of competitive pricing, potentially leading to overpayment by the government. There's also a reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional service, as there's no immediate threat of losing the business to a competitor. Furthermore, sole-source awards can limit the government's access to a broader range of technological solutions or specialized expertise that might be available in the market. This can also create vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers in the future without incurring significant transition costs.

What is the track record of Leidos Aspen Systems Corp with federal contracts?

Leidos is a major federal contractor with a long history of performance across various agencies and service areas, including IT, defense, and intelligence. Aspen Systems Corp was acquired by Leidos in 2017, integrating its capabilities into Leidos' broader portfolio. While specific performance details for this particular $15.16 million delivery order are not provided, Leidos generally has a substantial portfolio of federal contracts. Their track record typically involves large-scale IT solutions, systems integration, and support services. Performance can vary across individual contracts, but as a large, established company, they generally possess the resources and experience to handle complex government requirements.

What historical spending patterns exist for 'All Other Information Services' at USCIS?

Historical spending patterns for 'All Other Information Services' (NAICS 519190) at USCIS would require access to historical contract databases and spending reports. Generally, USCIS, like many large federal agencies, relies heavily on IT and information services to manage its vast operations, including processing applications, managing databases, and facilitating communication. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on specific program needs, system upgrades, or new initiatives. Analyzing past spending would reveal trends in contract types (e.g., competitive vs. sole-source), average contract values, and key vendors. This specific $15.16 million award needs to be viewed within that broader historical context to assess if it represents a typical investment or an outlier.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)

Address: 2277 RESEARCH BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,161,367

Exercised Options: $15,161,367

Current Obligation: $15,161,367

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG06D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline