DoD's $78.4M Tunisia Border Surveillance System Contract Awarded to URS Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $78,401,974 ($78.4M)

Contractor: URS Federal Services International, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-04-01

End Date: 2020-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,643 days

Daily Burn Rate: $47.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF PMO - TUNISIA BORDER SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $78.4 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF PMO - TUNISIA BORDER SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM Key points: 1. Significant investment in border security technology for a key partner. 2. Competition method appears to be full and open, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. 4. Sector is professional, scientific, and technical services, with a focus on defense applications.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and within projected limits. Benchmarking against similar surveillance system contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally supports price discovery and competitive pricing. However, the specific pricing mechanisms within the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure need scrutiny.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are supporting a critical national security initiative, aiming to enhance regional stability. Effective execution is key to maximizing the value of this investment.

Public Impact

Enhances border security capabilities for Tunisia, potentially impacting regional stability. Represents a significant U.S. investment in foreign security assistance. The technology deployed could have implications for intelligence gathering and threat detection.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Lack of detailed cost breakdowns makes independent price validation challenging.
Long contract duration (over 4 years) increases risk of scope creep or obsolescence.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Addresses a critical national security need.
Supports a key U.S. foreign policy objective.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category, often associated with specialized defense and security solutions. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on geopolitical needs and technological advancements.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. Larger prime contractors typically manage these complex, high-value projects.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to ensure the system is deployed effectively and meets its intended security objectives. Contract performance reviews and financial audits are crucial.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Defense Threat Reduction Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Potential for cost overruns.
Lack of detailed cost transparency.
Long contract duration.
Geopolitical instability in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $78.4 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. IGF::OT::IGF PMO - TUNISIA BORDER SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Threat Reduction Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $78.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-04-01. End: 2020-09-30.

What is the estimated cost per unit or capability delivered by this surveillance system?

The provided data lacks the granularity to determine a precise per-unit cost. The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee award for a system, not discrete units. Calculating a meaningful per-unit cost would require detailed breakdowns of hardware, software, installation, training, and maintenance expenses, which are not available in this summary.

What are the primary risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type for this project?

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs, as their fee is fixed regardless of the final cost. This can lead to cost overruns if the government's oversight and negotiation are not rigorous. There's also a risk of scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.

How effectively does this contract contribute to the stated goal of enhancing border security?

The effectiveness hinges on the system's technical capabilities, proper implementation, integration with Tunisian security forces, and ongoing maintenance. While the contract award signifies an intent to enhance security, actual effectiveness requires post-award monitoring of performance metrics, operational impact, and threat reduction assessments.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: CONSTRUCT OF STRUCTURES/FACILITIES › CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HDTRA111R0007

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC

Address: 1500 W 3RD ST. STE 200, CLEVELAND, OH, 44113

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $78,401,974

Exercised Options: $78,401,974

Current Obligation: $78,401,974

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HDTRA111D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline