State Department Awards $19M Contract for Biometric Capacity Building to Alutiiq 3SG, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,060,548 ($19.1M)
Contractor: Alutiiq 3SG, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2010-12-14
End Date: 2015-01-20
Contract Duration: 1,498 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INAMI BIOMETRIC CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $19.1 million to ALUTIIQ 3SG, LLC for work described as: INAMI BIOMETRIC CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Alutiiq 3SG, LLC for biometric capacity building. 2. The contract value is $19,060,548.39. 3. The NAICS code 541519 indicates 'Other Computer Related Services'. 4. The contract was not available for competition. 5. The contract duration was 1498 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $19M over nearly 5 years for biometric capacity building services is difficult to assess without specific benchmarks. The lack of competition raises concerns about whether this price represents fair market value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, suggesting a limited source selection process. This lack of competition may have hindered price discovery and potentially led to a higher cost for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition for a nearly $19M contract raises concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid more than necessary due to the lack of competitive bidding. The effectiveness of the biometric capacity building project is unclear without further details on performance metrics. The long duration of the contract (nearly 5 years) could indicate a significant undertaking or potential for cost overruns.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
- Unclear performance metrics
Positive Signals
- Specific project focus (biometric capacity building)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519), a broad category. Benchmarking spending in this specific niche of biometric capacity building is challenging without more granular data on similar projects.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The limited competition suggests potential oversight gaps in ensuring the most cost-effective solution was secured. Further review of the justification for limited competition is warranted.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Unclear performance outcomes
- Long contract duration
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-state, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $19.1 million to ALUTIIQ 3SG, LLC. INAMI BIOMETRIC CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALUTIIQ 3SG, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-12-14. End: 2015-01-20.
What specific biometric technologies or capabilities were developed or enhanced under this project, and what was the measurable impact?
The provided data does not detail the specific biometric technologies or capabilities developed. To assess value, information on the project's deliverables, performance metrics, and achieved outcomes would be necessary. Understanding the tangible benefits and operational improvements resulting from this capacity building is crucial for evaluating its effectiveness and justifying the expenditure.
What was the justification for limiting competition on this nearly $19 million contract, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a sole-source or limited-source award. A thorough review would require the specific justification cited by the agency, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this, it's difficult to assess if taxpayer funds were used efficiently or if a more competitive process could have yielded better pricing.
How does the per-unit cost or overall project cost compare to similar biometric capacity building initiatives undertaken by other government agencies or private entities?
Benchmarking this $19 million contract is challenging without access to comparable project data. The 'Other Computer Related Services' category is broad, and specific biometric capacity building projects are not readily benchmarked. A detailed analysis would require identifying similar contracts, their scope, duration, and cost, to determine if this award represents a fair market price.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Afognak Native Corp (UEI: 052089695)
Address: 3909 ARCTIC BLVD, STE 400, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,060,548
Exercised Options: $19,060,548
Current Obligation: $19,060,548
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 4
Total Subaward Amount: $27,118,636
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-12-14
Current End Date: 2015-01-20
Potential End Date: 2015-01-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2015-03-27
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