DHS awarded $9.8M for multiplexing technology, exceeding initial projections by 23% for 80 units
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,842,935 ($9.8M)
Contractor: Reveal Imaging Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2007-02-08
End Date: 2008-03-30
Contract Duration: 416 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE)
Sector: Other
Official Description: REVEAL- 25 CT-80 UNITS AND MULTIPLEXING
Place of Performance
Location: BEDFORD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01730
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $9.8 million to REVEAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: REVEAL- 25 CT-80 UNITS AND MULTIPLEXING Key points: 1. The contract value of $9.8 million for 80 units suggests a significant investment in advanced imaging capabilities. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are unclear, but the award amount indicates a substantial procurement. 3. The duration of the contract (416 days) and the specific product code (339999) point to a specialized manufacturing need. 4. Performance context is limited without details on the specific 'multiplexing' technology and its application. 5. This contract falls within the 'All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing' sector, highlighting a niche area of federal spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The awarded amount of $9.8 million for 80 units, with a reported base value of $2.3 million, suggests a significant increase in the final contract value. Without comparable contracts for similar multiplexing technology, it's difficult to definitively benchmark the value for money. The per-unit cost, if calculated solely on the base value, appears high, but the final award suggests additional options or services were exercised.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competitive nature of the award process should theoretically lead to a more favorable price for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation.
Public Impact
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the primary beneficiary, likely enhancing its screening capabilities. The contract delivers multiplexing technology, which could improve the efficiency and effectiveness of security screening processes. The geographic impact is likely concentrated at airports or other transportation hubs where TSA operates. Workforce implications may include training for personnel to operate and maintain the new technology.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns given the significant increase from base to award value.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value delivered.
- The specialized nature of the technology might limit future interoperability or upgrades.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
- The procurement addresses a specific technological need within the Department of Homeland Security.
- The contract was awarded to a single entity, potentially indicating specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing' sector, a broad category encompassing various specialized production activities. The federal government's spending in this sector often supports niche technological advancements and unique equipment needs. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging due to the specificity of 'multiplexing technology' and its application within the TSA.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-asides, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. This suggests that the primary award was not targeted towards small businesses, and their involvement would depend on the prime contractor's subcontracting strategy.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's internal review processes and potentially the Government Accountability Office (GAO) if protests or specific performance issues arise. Transparency is limited by the available data, but the award details are publicly accessible.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Homeland Security Procurements
- Transportation Security Administration Equipment Purchases
- Advanced Manufacturing Contracts
- Security Technology Investments
Risk Flags
- Significant increase from base to award value warrants scrutiny of contract modifications.
- Lack of detailed technical specifications limits independent assessment of value and performance.
- Specialized technology may pose risks of obsolescence and high long-term support costs.
Tags
department-of-homeland-security, transportation-security-administration, full-and-open-competition, manufacturing, specialized-equipment, imaging-technology, multiplexing, massachusetts, federal-contract, dhs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $9.8 million to REVEAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. REVEAL- 25 CT-80 UNITS AND MULTIPLEXING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is REVEAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-02-08. End: 2008-03-30.
What is the specific application of the 'multiplexing technology' procured by the TSA?
The provided data does not specify the exact application of the 'multiplexing technology.' However, in the context of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), multiplexing often refers to the ability to combine multiple signals or data streams into a single output. This could be applied to advanced screening equipment, such as baggage scanners or passenger screening systems, to enhance data collection, improve detection capabilities, or streamline the analysis of information from various sensors simultaneously. The 'REVEAL- 25 CT-80 UNITS' designation might hint at a specific model or configuration of imaging equipment designed for these purposes.
How does the final award value of $9.8 million compare to the initial base value of $2.36 million?
The final award value of $9.84 million represents a substantial increase of approximately 315% over the initial base value of $2.37 million. This significant difference suggests that the contract likely included multiple options, task orders, or contract line item numbers (CLINs) that were exercised or awarded after the initial base contract. Such increases are common in government contracts for complex equipment or services where the full scope of work may not be defined at the outset, or where additional quantities or capabilities are added over time. It is crucial to examine the contract modifications and awarded CLINs to understand the drivers behind this substantial increase.
What are the potential risks associated with procuring specialized manufacturing technology like this?
Procuring specialized manufacturing technology carries several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of technological obsolescence, where the technology quickly becomes outdated due to rapid advancements in the field. Secondly, vendor lock-in can occur if the technology is proprietary, making it difficult and expensive to switch providers or integrate with other systems. Thirdly, maintenance and support costs can be high, especially if the vendor has a monopoly on spare parts or specialized repair services. Finally, the specialized nature might lead to a limited pool of qualified personnel for operation and maintenance, potentially impacting deployment timelines and operational readiness.
What does the 'MASSACHUSETTS' state code indicate about the contractor or the contract's execution?
The 'MASSACHUSETTS' state code (ST: MA) likely indicates the state where the contractor, REVEAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC., is headquartered or has a significant operational presence. While the contract is awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the state code provides geographical context for the prime contractor's location. This information can be relevant for understanding regional economic impact, potential logistical considerations, and the contractor's operational base. It does not necessarily imply that the work is performed exclusively in Massachusetts, as federal contracts often involve nationwide or global execution.
How does the PSC code '339999' inform our understanding of this contract?
The Product and Service Code (PSC) '339999' falls under the category of 'All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing.' This broad classification suggests that the procured item or service does not fit neatly into more specific manufacturing categories. For this contract, it implies that REVEAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC. is manufacturing a product that is unique, highly specialized, or a combination of components that doesn't align with standard industrial classifications. This often points to custom-built equipment or advanced technological solutions tailored to specific government requirements, such as the multiplexing technology mentioned.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: TWO STEP
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (TWO OR MORE) (2)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Leidos Holdings, Inc. (UEI: 611641312)
Address: 201 BURLINGTON RD, BEDFORD, MA, 06
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,842,935
Exercised Options: $9,842,935
Current Obligation: $9,842,935
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSTS0405DDEP029
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-02-08
Current End Date: 2008-03-30
Potential End Date: 2008-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-01-28
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