GSA's $52.8M Border Surveillance System Contract Awarded to Sentrillion Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $52,812,891 ($52.8M)

Contractor: Sentrillion Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2004-01-08

End Date: 2007-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,178 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: INSTALLATION OF SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER

Place of Performance

Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85705

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $52.8 million to SENTRILLION CORPORATION for work described as: INSTALLATION OF SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in border security technology. 2. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce cost uncertainty. 3. A competitive delivery order suggests some level of market engagement. 4. The contract duration of nearly 4 years indicates a substantial, long-term need. 5. The specific services fall under 'Other Computer Related Services', highlighting a technology focus. 6. The award was made by the General Services Administration's Federal Acquisition Service. 7. The contract was a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total contract value of $52.8 million for installation of surveillance systems is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar border security technology contracts is difficult without more specific details on the scope and technology deployed. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if not managed carefully. The number of bids (7) suggests a moderate level of interest, but the ultimate value-for-money depends on the effectiveness and longevity of the installed systems.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered or competed for this specific task order. With 7 bids received, there was a reasonable level of competition. This suggests that the GSA sought to leverage market competition to obtain favorable pricing and terms for the surveillance systems. The competitive nature is a positive sign for price discovery and ensuring a reasonable outcome.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process for this delivery order likely resulted in better pricing for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award. It indicates that taxpayer funds were used in a manner that sought to maximize value through market forces.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are federal agencies responsible for border security, enhancing their operational capabilities. The services delivered include the installation of surveillance systems, aimed at improving monitoring and detection along the northern border. The geographic impact is concentrated in Arizona, where the contract was administered. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized technical personnel for installation and maintenance of the surveillance equipment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The specific technological capabilities and obsolescence risk of the surveillance systems are not detailed.
Long-term maintenance and operational costs are not explicitly addressed in the provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
The contract addresses a critical national security need for border surveillance.
The General Services Administration's involvement implies adherence to federal procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Security sector, specifically focusing on surveillance and monitoring systems. The market for border security technology is significant, driven by national security concerns and evolving threats. This contract represents a specific deployment of such technology, likely part of a larger federal strategy. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific type and scale of surveillance technology implemented.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. Typically, large federal contracts can offer subcontracting avenues for small businesses, but this is not guaranteed.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) generally has robust oversight mechanisms for its contracts, including performance monitoring and financial accountability. As a competitive delivery order, it would be subject to the oversight of the contracting officer and potentially the GSA's Inspector General. Transparency would be expected through contract award databases and reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Border Security Technology
Customs and Border Protection Surveillance Programs
Federal Law Enforcement Technology Procurement
GSA IT Schedule Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of specific details on technology deployed.
Unclear long-term maintenance and upgrade strategy.
Limited information on contractor past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $52.8 million to SENTRILLION CORPORATION. INSTALLATION OF SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SENTRILLION CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $52.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-01-08. End: 2007-03-31.

What specific types of surveillance systems were installed under this contract?

The provided data indicates the 'INSTALLATION OF SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS ALONG THE NORTHERN BORDER' but does not specify the exact technologies deployed. This could range from cameras (CCTV, thermal, night vision) and sensors (motion, seismic, acoustic) to communication equipment and data processing infrastructure. Understanding the specific technology is crucial for assessing its effectiveness, potential for obsolescence, and comparison to industry standards. Without this detail, it's challenging to evaluate the technological sophistication and long-term value of the investment.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to fixed-price contracts for similar surveillance system installations?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts offer flexibility, allowing for adjustments in scope and effort as the project progresses. However, they carry a higher risk of cost overruns for the government compared to fixed-price contracts, as the final cost is not predetermined. For surveillance system installations, fixed-price contracts are often preferred when the scope of work is well-defined, providing greater cost certainty. The use of T&M here suggests that the scope may have been less defined at the outset or that flexibility was prioritized. This necessitates rigorous oversight and management by the GSA to control costs and ensure value.

What was the performance track record of Sentrillion Corporation prior to this award?

Information regarding Sentrillion Corporation's specific performance track record prior to or during this contract is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented issues or successes on previous government contracts, and their overall financial stability. Federal agencies typically maintain performance records, and a deeper dive into these would be necessary to fully evaluate the contractor's reliability and capability in delivering complex surveillance system installations.

What is the expected lifespan and maintenance plan for the installed surveillance systems?

The provided data does not include details on the expected lifespan or the maintenance plan for the surveillance systems installed under this contract. Surveillance technology can become obsolete relatively quickly, and ongoing maintenance is critical for ensuring system functionality and effectiveness. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the long-term return on investment and the total cost of ownership beyond the initial installation. Future budgets would need to account for potential upgrades, repairs, and eventual replacement of the systems.

How does the $52.8 million spending on this contract compare to overall federal spending on border security technology?

The $52.8 million awarded to Sentrillion Corporation for surveillance systems represents a significant, but likely specific, component of the broader federal spending on border security technology. Overall federal spending in this area, primarily driven by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), amounts to billions of dollars annually. This contract, awarded by GSA, likely represents a particular project or enhancement within a larger strategic framework. To contextualize this amount, one would need to compare it against annual DHS/CBP technology budgets and other similar large-scale surveillance system procurements.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Address: 11130 SUNRISE VALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $152,721,064

Exercised Options: $152,721,064

Current Obligation: $52,812,891

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07T00BGD0035

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline