Air Force awards $15M for Vandenberg AFB security system upgrade to INDYNE, INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,035,885 ($15.0M)

Contractor: Indyne, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-05-31

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 3,560 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF VANDENBERG AFB SECURITY SYSTEM UPGRADE

Place of Performance

Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80919

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.0 million to INDYNE, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF VANDENBERG AFB SECURITY SYSTEM UPGRADE Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 3560 days (approx. 9.75 years) is substantial, indicating a long-term need. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, INDYNE, INC. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561621 points to specialized security systems services. 5. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, likely part of a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. 6. The contract is for security systems services, excluding locksmiths, indicating a focus on electronic and integrated security solutions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $15 million contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable project data. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the initial bid was considered competitive. However, the long duration of nearly 10 years means that the total cost over time needs careful monitoring to ensure continued value. Without access to the specific scope of work and the pricing breakdown, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized security systems service. While not a large number, it implies that the government received multiple proposals, allowing for price and technical evaluation to select the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and personnel at Vandenberg AFB, who will receive enhanced security. The contract delivers upgraded security systems, likely encompassing surveillance, access control, and alarm systems. The geographic impact is localized to Vandenberg AFB in Colorado. The contract supports jobs within the security systems services industry, benefiting the workforce employed by INDYNE, INC. and its potential subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (nearly 10 years) may lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively, especially with potential technology obsolescence.
Firm-fixed-price contracts can sometimes disincentivize contractors from seeking cost-saving efficiencies if the initial price is set too high.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true effectiveness and value delivered over the contract's life.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract addresses a critical need for security systems at a major Air Force installation.

Sector Analysis

The security systems services sector is a critical component of national security and infrastructure protection. This contract falls within the broader information technology and professional services market, with a specific focus on physical and electronic security solutions. The market for such services is driven by government and private sector needs for surveillance, access control, and threat detection. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale security system installations at federal facilities.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the specialized nature and potential scale of a base security system upgrade, it is possible that larger, established firms like INDYNE, INC. are better positioned to compete. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was encouraged or required through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. The firm-fixed-price nature shifts some risk to the contractor, but performance monitoring and acceptance of deliverables remain key oversight functions. Transparency is facilitated by contract award data, but detailed performance reports and Inspector General investigations would provide deeper accountability insights.

Related Government Programs

Base Security Modernization Programs
Department of Defense IT and Security Contracts
Vandenberg AFB Infrastructure Projects
Federal Security Systems Procurement

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to technology obsolescence.
Potential for cost increases if scope changes significantly.
Performance monitoring is crucial over the extended period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.0 million to INDYNE, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF VANDENBERG AFB SECURITY SYSTEM UPGRADE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INDYNE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-05-31. End: 2026-02-28.

What is the specific scope of work for the Vandenberg AFB Security System Upgrade?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)' under NAICS code 561621. This typically encompasses the design, installation, integration, and maintenance of electronic security systems such as closed-circuit television (CCTV), access control systems, intrusion detection systems, and alarm monitoring. For Vandenberg AFB, this likely involves upgrading or replacing aging infrastructure to meet current force protection standards, enhance surveillance capabilities, and ensure secure access to critical areas. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not publicly available in this dataset.

How does the $15 million cost compare to similar security system upgrades at other military bases?

Directly comparing the $15 million cost without detailed scope, system complexity, and duration is difficult. However, large-scale security system upgrades at military installations can range from several million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the size of the base, the technology deployed, and the extent of the upgrade. Factors like the number of buildings covered, the type of sensors and cameras, the integration with existing networks, and the required cybersecurity measures all influence the total cost. The duration of this contract (nearly 10 years) suggests a comprehensive, long-term solution rather than a simple hardware replacement, which could justify the overall investment if it provides sustained security improvements.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is INDYNE, INC.'s performance being measured?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for security system contracts, KPIs might include system uptime percentages, response times for alerts, successful detection rates, reduction in security incidents, and timely completion of maintenance and upgrades. Performance measurement would likely involve regular reporting by INDYNE, INC., site inspections, and potentially user feedback from base security personnel. The government's quality assurance personnel would be responsible for monitoring adherence to the contract's technical specifications and service level agreements.

What is INDYNE, INC.'s track record with similar federal security contracts?

Assessing INDYNE, INC.'s track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving security systems. While this dataset confirms they were awarded this $15 million contract, it doesn't provide details on their past performance ratings, any past disputes, or the types and scale of previous security projects they have completed for the government. A comprehensive analysis would involve searching federal contract databases for past awards, performance evaluations (like Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any publicly available information on their project history in the security sector.

What are the potential risks associated with a nearly 10-year contract for security systems?

A significant risk with a long-duration contract like this (3560 days) is technological obsolescence. Security technology evolves rapidly, and systems installed today might be outdated or less effective within a few years. Another risk is cost escalation, even under a firm-fixed-price contract, if unforeseen issues arise or if the initial pricing did not adequately account for long-term maintenance and potential minor upgrades. Contractor performance degradation over time is also a possibility. Furthermore, changes in security threats or government requirements could necessitate modifications, potentially leading to contract disputes or change orders if not managed proactively.

How does the 'full and open competition' award impact taxpayer value compared to other contracting methods?

Awarding contracts through 'full and open competition' generally enhances taxpayer value by maximizing the pool of potential bidders, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. This method ensures that the government isn't limited to a pre-selected group of contractors, fostering a market-driven approach. While it requires a robust evaluation process, it typically leads to better price discovery and a higher probability of selecting the best overall value, balancing cost with technical merit. This contrasts with sole-source or limited competition, which may offer less price pressure and potentially higher costs for the government.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 46561 EXPEDITION DR # 100, LEXINGTON PARK, MD, 20653

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,349,713

Exercised Options: $16,349,713

Current Obligation: $15,035,885

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 41

Total Subaward Amount: $64,733,332

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA873015D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline