DHS Awards $2.5M for Electronic Device Exploitation Services to Valence Vector Labs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,534,248 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Valence Vector Labs LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-07

End Date: 2024-09-06

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER IS REQUIRED FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF ADVANCED ELECTRONIC DEVICE EXPLOITATION SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: ABERDEEN, HARFORD County, MARYLAND, 21001

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.5 million to VALENCE VECTOR LABS LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER IS REQUIRED FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF ADVANCED ELECTRONIC DEVICE EXPLOITATION SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized electronic device exploitation services. 2. Valence Vector Labs LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order. 4. Services are categorized under 'Other Computer Related Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $2.53M for a one-year period for specialized electronic device exploitation services appears high without competitive benchmarking. The lack of competition makes it difficult to assess if this price is reasonable compared to market rates for similar advanced technical services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This method limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers as there was no opportunity for vendors to bid against each other.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $2.53M contract raises concerns about potential overspending and the efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Enhances national security by providing advanced capabilities for electronic device analysis. Supports U.S. Customs and Border Protection's mission in border security and law enforcement. Potential for sensitive data analysis and intelligence gathering. Limited public visibility due to the specialized and potentially classified nature of the services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High contract value for specialized services
Potential for sole-source creep

Positive Signals

Provides critical national security capabilities
Supports a vital agency mission

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Computer Related Services' sector encompasses a wide range of IT support and specialized technical services. Spending in this area can vary significantly based on the complexity and criticality of the services required, with specialized exploitation services often commanding premium pricing.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Valence Vector Labs LLC and there is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the services are necessary, effectively performed, and that the pricing remains reasonable throughout the contract duration. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing validation.
High contract value for specialized, non-IT core services.
Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
Limited transparency on justification and pricing reasonableness.
No small business participation evident.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.5 million to VALENCE VECTOR LABS LLC. TASK ORDER IS REQUIRED FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF ADVANCED ELECTRONIC DEVICE EXPLOITATION SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is VALENCE VECTOR LABS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-07. End: 2024-09-06.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure the price is fair and reasonable?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. Without access to the contract file, it's impossible to detail the specific justification. However, agencies are expected to perform price analyses, compare to historical data, or use other methods to ensure reasonableness even in sole-source situations.

How does the cost of these advanced electronic device exploitation services compare to similar contracts or industry benchmarks, given the lack of competition?

Benchmarking is challenging without competitive data. The $2.53M price tag for a year of specialized services is significant. A thorough review would involve comparing the scope of work, required expertise, and deliverables against any available public data on similar, albeit potentially less specialized, IT services contracts or industry cost models.

What measures are in place to ensure the effectiveness and accountability of Valence Vector Labs LLC in performing these critical exploitation services?

Effectiveness is typically measured through performance metrics outlined in the contract's statement of work and quality assurance surveillance plans. Accountability is maintained through regular reporting requirements, oversight by the contracting officer's representative (COR), and potential penalties for non-performance. The agency must actively monitor deliverables and outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1104 S PHILADELPHIA BLVD STE 800, ABERDEEN, MD, 21001

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,534,248

Exercised Options: $2,534,248

Current Obligation: $2,534,248

Actual Outlays: $2,534,248

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70B02C23D00000025

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline