DHS Awards $25M for Document Management Support to Bowhead Communication Services LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,995,153 ($25.0M)
Contractor: Bowhead Communication Services LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2018-03-30
End Date: 2022-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,615 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR PLANET
Place of Performance
Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75247
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $25.0 million to BOWHEAD COMMUNICATION SERVICES LLC for work described as: DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR PLANET Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition. 2. Significant contract value suggests a substantial need for document management services. 3. The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation warrants further investigation into the procurement process. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing could lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure, coupled with its non-competed nature, makes a direct pricing assessment difficult. Without competitive bids or a fixed-price structure, it's hard to benchmark against similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than a fully open competition might yield.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition and the Time and Materials pricing model may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these document management services.
Public Impact
Citizens may be paying a premium due to limited competition in this contract. The effectiveness of document management for ICE operations is crucial for agency efficiency. Transparency in government contracting is essential for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Time and Materials pricing
- Lack of SAP competition
Positive Signals
- Contract supports critical agency functions
- Long-term contract provides stability
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but significant contracts often indicate a need for specialized support to manage large volumes of information or complex processes.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Bowhead Communication Services LLC, and there is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation suggests a potential gap in oversight or a justification for limited competition that needs to be scrutinized to ensure accountability and value for taxpayer money.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing
- Lack of transparency in procurement process
- Limited competition may not yield best value
- Absence of small business participation
- Need for clear performance metrics and oversight
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-homeland-security, tx, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $25.0 million to BOWHEAD COMMUNICATION SERVICES LLC. DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT FOR PLANET
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD COMMUNICATION SERVICES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-03-30. End: 2022-08-31.
What was the specific justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for not competing under SAP is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, agencies may opt for limited competition due to urgent needs, sole-source justifications, or specific contract vehicles. A thorough review would involve examining the contract file for documented reasons and ensuring that all regulatory requirements for limited competition were met.
How does the Time and Materials pricing model compare to industry benchmarks for similar document management support services?
Time and Materials (T&M) pricing can be challenging to benchmark directly against fixed-price contracts. While T&M offers flexibility, it carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not managed diligently. Benchmarking would require analyzing the labor categories, rates, and estimated hours against similar government or commercial contracts, considering the specific skill sets required for document management.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is Bowhead Communication Services LLC's performance being measured against them?
The provided data does not specify the KPIs for this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined performance metrics related to document processing, accuracy, turnaround times, and compliance. Regular performance reviews and reporting mechanisms are crucial to ensure the contractor is meeting expectations and delivering value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 70CMSD18R00000002
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: UIC Government Services LLC
Address: 4900 SEMINARY RD STE 1200, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22311
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,976,235
Exercised Options: $28,978,885
Current Obligation: $24,995,153
Actual Outlays: $400,654
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-03-30
Current End Date: 2022-08-31
Potential End Date: 2022-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-08-15
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