Battelle Memorial Institute awarded $26.86M for DHS ISAT Task Support, highlighting professional services in Ohio

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,859,300 ($26.9M)

Contractor: Battelle Memorial Institute

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-09-05

End Date: 2010-11-19

Contract Duration: 1,171 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BATTELLE- CBIS ISAT TASK SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBUS, FRANKLIN County, OHIO, 43201

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $26.9 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE for work described as: BATTELLE- CBIS ISAT TASK SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $26.86M for professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. Services provided under a Time and Materials contract type. 3. Contract duration of 1171 days, spanning from 2007 to 2010. 4. Awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Battelle Memorial Institute. 5. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 6. Geographic location of performance is Ohio.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $26.86M for professional, scientific, and technical services appears reasonable given the 1171-day duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for task support services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully, but it is often suitable for research and development or undefined scope tasks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded for defined reasons. The presence of 5 bidders indicates a moderate level of competition, which generally aids in price discovery and achieving fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple firms to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, potentially leading to cost savings.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security benefits from specialized technical and scientific support services. Services likely contribute to various mission-critical functions within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The primary geographic impact is in Ohio, where the contractor is located and services were performed. The contract supports a workforce of professionals in scientific and technical fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost escalation due to Time and Materials contract type if not closely monitored.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand its impact on the breadth of competition.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition, even with exclusions, suggests an effort to leverage market capabilities.
Award to a known entity like Battelle Memorial Institute may indicate a track record of performance.
The contract duration suggests a sustained need for the services provided.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. Spending in this sector is significant across government agencies for research, analysis, engineering, and other expert support. Comparable spending would involve other task orders or contracts for similar scientific and technical support to agencies like DHS.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As a large contract awarded to Battelle Memorial Institute, it is unlikely to have direct small business set-aside benefits. However, there may be subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, depending on Battelle's approach to fulfilling the contract requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration. The Time and Materials contract type necessitates diligent oversight to ensure labor hours and material costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be less public.

Related Government Programs

DHS Task Support Contracts
Professional and Technical Services
Transportation Security Administration Support
Battelle Memorial Institute Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract type.
Need for clarity on 'exclusion of sources' in competition.
Scope definition and management for task support services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $26.9 million to BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE. BATTELLE- CBIS ISAT TASK SUPPORT

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 (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $26.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-05. End: 2010-11-19.

What specific types of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' were performed under this contract?

While the specific nature of the 'ISAT Task Support' is not detailed in the provided data, NAICS code 541990 covers a broad spectrum of services. Given the contracting agency (DHS) and the task support nature, these services likely involved research, analysis, testing, engineering, or other specialized technical expertise to support the mission of the Transportation Security Administration. This could range from developing new security technologies to providing analytical support for operational improvements or policy development. The 'task support' designation implies a flexible arrangement to address evolving needs within TSA's purview.

How does the $26.86M award compare to other DHS contracts for similar services?

Comparing the $26.86M award requires identifying contracts with similar scope, duration, and agency within DHS. Contracts for 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' are common across DHS. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively benchmark. However, for a nearly four-year period (1171 days), this award represents an average annual spend of approximately $6.9M. This figure needs to be assessed against the complexity and criticality of the tasks performed. A detailed analysis would involve querying contract databases for similar service codes and agencies to establish a range of typical award values.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for this type of service?

The primary risk with T&M contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, plus a fixed fee or நிர்ணயம். If the scope of work is not well-defined or if contractor performance is inefficient, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. For DHS ISAT Task Support, risks include scope creep, inefficient use of labor, and inflated material costs. Effective risk mitigation requires robust government oversight, clear task definitions, regular progress reviews, and strict adherence to labor hour ceilings and billing rates.

What was Battelle Memorial Institute's performance history with DHS prior to this award?

The provided data does not include Battelle Memorial Institute's specific performance history with the Department of Homeland Security prior to this award. However, Battelle Memorial Institute is a well-established research and development organization with extensive experience in government contracting across various agencies. Agencies typically consider past performance as a significant factor in source selection. A comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing past performance evaluations and award decisions for Battelle's previous contracts with DHS and other federal entities to gauge their reliability and capability.

How has DHS spending on 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' evolved since this contract period (2007-2010)?

Spending on 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) by the Department of Homeland Security has likely seen fluctuations and overall growth since the 2007-2010 period, driven by evolving security threats and technological advancements. Post-9/11 security needs, coupled with ongoing modernization efforts within DHS components like TSA, would necessitate continued investment in specialized expertise. While this specific contract represents a snapshot, broader trends indicate a sustained or increasing reliance on external technical and scientific support across the federal government, including DHS, to address complex challenges.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 505 KING AVE, COLUMBUS, OH, 43201

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,859,300

Exercised Options: $26,859,300

Current Obligation: $26,859,300

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSTS0405DDEP027

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline