DHS awarded $15M for explosive trace detectors, with 2 bids received under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,054,704 ($15.1M)
Contractor: Morpho Detection, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2009-09-22
End Date: 2014-09-10
Contract Duration: 1,814 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: (TAS::70 0556::TAS) PROCURE EXPLOSIVE TRACE DETECTOR (ETD) UNITS AND ALL ACCESSORIES MANUAL AND TRAINING CLASSES AS NECESSARY.
Place of Performance
Location: WILMINGTON, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01887, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $15.1 million to MORPHO DETECTION, LLC for work described as: (TAS::70 0556::TAS) PROCURE EXPLOSIVE TRACE DETECTOR (ETD) UNITS AND ALL ACCESSORIES MANUAL AND TRAINING CLASSES AS NECESSARY. Key points: 1. The contract aimed to procure explosive trace detector (ETD) units, accessories, manuals, and training. 2. The award was made to Morpho Detection, LLC, for a total of $15,054,703.68. 3. The contract duration spanned from September 2009 to September 2014, totaling 1814 days. 4. The procurement was conducted under a 'Full and Open Competition' strategy. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this contract was 334511, related to instrument manufacturing. 6. The contract type was Firm Fixed Price, indicating a set cost for the goods and services. 7. The contracting agency was the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined cost expectation, but the overall value for money depends on the effectiveness and longevity of the ETD units procured and the quality of training provided. Comparing this to similar procurements for ETD technology during the 2009-2014 period would offer more insight into whether the $15 million expenditure represented a competitive price for the technology and services acquired.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a 'Full and Open Competition' solicitation, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data shows that two bids were received. While two bids represent some level of competition, it is on the lower end for a full and open solicitation of this value. A higher number of bidders could potentially lead to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technological solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: A limited number of bidders, even under full and open competition, may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the most aggressive pricing possible. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries of this contract are the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), enhancing their capabilities in aviation security. The services delivered include the procurement of explosive trace detector (ETD) units, essential accessories, user manuals, and necessary training classes. These ETD units are crucial for screening passengers and baggage at airports, contributing to national security. The geographic impact is nationwide, as TSA operations are conducted across all major and many smaller airports in the United States. The contract supports the workforce involved in security screening operations by providing them with advanced detection technology and training.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition (2 bids) may have resulted in higher costs than if more vendors had participated.
- The firm fixed-price contract could lead to cost overruns for the contractor if unforeseen issues arise, potentially impacting delivery or quality if not managed well.
- The effectiveness of the training classes is not detailed, which could impact user proficiency with the ETD units.
Positive Signals
- Procurement under 'Full and Open Competition' ensures a broad base of potential suppliers were considered.
- The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government, limiting the risk of unexpected price increases.
- The contract specifies the delivery of ETD units, accessories, manuals, and training, indicating a comprehensive approach to equipping security personnel.
Sector Analysis
The procurement falls within the broader sector of security and defense technology manufacturing, specifically focusing on detection and navigation instruments. The NAICS code 334511 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing measuring, controlling, and other instruments. The market for explosive trace detection technology is driven by stringent security requirements in transportation hubs, government facilities, and critical infrastructure. Spending in this area is often influenced by threat assessments and regulatory mandates. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for similar detection equipment and security services.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were not specifically targeted for this award. There is no information available regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Given the nature of the technology and the prime contractor, it is likely that larger, specialized firms were the primary participants in this procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been primarily managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including delivery schedules, performance specifications, and payment milestones. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS-NG (Federal Procurement Data System - Next Generation), where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Homeland Security Grants Program
- Airport Improvement Program
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Security Programs
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Equipment Procurements
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may impact price.
- Training effectiveness not detailed.
- Specific performance metrics absent.
Tags
dhs, tsa, transportation-security, explosive-trace-detection, etd, morpho-detection, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, instrument-manufacturing, national-security, federal-contract, usa
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $15.1 million to MORPHO DETECTION, LLC. (TAS::70 0556::TAS) PROCURE EXPLOSIVE TRACE DETECTOR (ETD) UNITS AND ALL ACCESSORIES MANUAL AND TRAINING CLASSES AS NECESSARY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MORPHO DETECTION, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-09-22. End: 2014-09-10.
What is the track record of Morpho Detection, LLC in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for security equipment?
Morpho Detection, LLC (now part of Smiths Detection) has a history of supplying advanced detection technologies to government agencies, including explosive and narcotics trace detection systems. Their track record with government contracts generally indicates experience in delivering specialized security equipment. However, specific performance details for individual contracts, such as on-time delivery, adherence to specifications, and post-delivery support, would require a deeper dive into contract performance reports and any associated award or termination data. Examining past performance evaluations and any disputes or contract modifications would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability as a government contractor for similar procurements.
How does the $15 million contract value compare to other DHS/TSA procurements for similar explosive trace detection systems?
Directly comparing the $15 million contract value for explosive trace detector (ETD) units and training without specific details on the quantity of units, model sophistication, and the scope of training makes precise benchmarking difficult. However, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has historically awarded significant contracts for ETD technology to meet evolving security needs. The value of this 2009-2014 contract suggests a substantial investment in equipping security personnel. To provide a robust comparison, one would need to analyze the per-unit cost of ETD systems procured by TSA or other agencies during that period, considering factors like technological advancements, manufacturer, and contract type (e.g., firm-fixed-price vs. cost-plus). The number of bids received (two) also suggests that the competitive landscape at the time might have influenced pricing.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the explosive trace detector units and training under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the explosive trace detector (ETD) units and training procured under this contract. Typically, for ETD systems, KPIs would include detection sensitivity (e.g., ability to detect specific explosive compounds at trace levels), speed of analysis, false alarm rates, ease of use, maintenance requirements, and battery life. For training, KPIs might relate to the proficiency of personnel post-training, measured through assessments or operational effectiveness. Without these specific metrics, it is difficult to quantitatively assess the performance and effectiveness of the procured technology and services beyond the fact that the contract was awarded and presumably fulfilled.
What is the historical spending trend for explosive trace detection systems by the Department of Homeland Security?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), primarily through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), has consistently invested in explosive trace detection (ETD) systems as a critical component of aviation and transportation security. Historical spending trends show a significant and ongoing commitment to acquiring and upgrading these technologies. Early procurements focused on establishing baseline capabilities, followed by subsequent awards aimed at incorporating advancements in detection technology, improving reliability, and expanding deployment across various transportation sectors. The $15 million awarded to Morpho Detection, LLC between 2009 and 2014 represents a notable expenditure within this broader trend. Analyzing aggregated spending data over the years would reveal fluctuations based on technological innovation, threat assessments, and budget allocations, generally indicating a sustained need for advanced threat detection capabilities.
Were there any significant contract modifications or disputes associated with this $15 million award?
The provided summary data does not indicate any significant contract modifications or disputes associated with the $15,054,703.68 award to Morpho Detection, LLC. Standard contract databases typically record major modifications, such as changes in scope, value, or duration, and any formal disputes or claims filed. The absence of such information in the summary suggests that the contract may have proceeded without major contentious issues or substantial alterations to its original terms. However, a definitive answer would require accessing the detailed contract file or official modification logs maintained by the Department of Homeland Security.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: ALARM, SIGNAL, SECURITY DETECTION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Safran Power USA LLC (UEI: 275374015)
Address: 205 LOWELL ST, WILMINGTON, MA, 01887
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $15,054,704
Exercised Options: $15,054,704
Current Obligation: $15,054,704
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSTS0409DCT2040
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-09-22
Current End Date: 2014-09-10
Potential End Date: 2014-09-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-07-14
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