DHS awards $27.7M IT Operations Support Services contract to Inserso Corporation, highlighting a competitive procurement

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,734,201 ($27.7M)

Contractor: Inserso Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-03

End Date: 2022-06-02

Contract Duration: 272 days

Daily Burn Rate: $102.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (ITOSS)

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $27.7 million to INSERSO CORPORATION for work described as: IT OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (ITOSS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $27.7 million for IT operations support services. 2. Procured via full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable cost outcomes. 4. Performance period spans 272 days, indicating a short-term operational need. 5. Services fall under Computer Systems Design, a key IT sector. 6. Awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Inserso Corporation.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27.7 million for IT operations support services appears reasonable given the scope of computer systems design and support. Benchmarking against similar DHS IT contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure helps control costs, but the specific deliverables and service levels are crucial for a complete value evaluation. Without detailed performance metrics, a definitive assessment of efficiency is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded based on prior performance or other criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests a robust competitive process. This approach generally leads to better price discovery and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value and price for essential IT operations support, reducing the risk of overpayment.

Public Impact

Benefits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within DHS by ensuring critical IT operations. Delivers essential computer systems design and support services. Geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contract is managed. Supports the federal IT workforce through the provision of specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and not easily transferable.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose operational risks.
Scope creep could lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly under the fixed-price contract.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
Award to Inserso Corporation indicates a potentially proven track record with DHS or similar agencies.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically Computer Systems Design Services. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, with spending often concentrated in areas like cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IT infrastructure management. The market for IT operations support is competitive, with numerous large and small businesses vying for government contracts. This award represents a portion of the broader federal IT spending, which is crucial for maintaining government operations and modernizing systems.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business IT ecosystem may be limited unless Inserso Corporation actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by contracting officers and program managers within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by fixing the cost. Transparency is facilitated by the federal procurement data system, which publishes contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Operations Support Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Homeland Security IT Contracts
Federal IT Infrastructure Management

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues
Risk of scope creep
Dependence on contractor capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $27.7 million to INSERSO CORPORATION. IT OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (ITOSS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INSERSO CORPORATION.

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 $27.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-03. End: 2022-06-02.

What is Inserso Corporation's past performance record with the federal government, particularly within DHS?

Assessing Inserso Corporation's past performance is critical for understanding their reliability and capability in delivering IT Operations Support Services. A review of their contract history within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies would reveal their track record. Key indicators include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of services rendered, and any past performance issues or disputes. Agencies often use past performance evaluations as a significant factor in source selection. Without specific data on Inserso's prior contracts, it's difficult to definitively gauge their suitability beyond the fact they won this competitive bid.

How does the $27.7 million contract value compare to similar IT operations support contracts awarded by DHS or other agencies?

To benchmark the $27.7 million value, we would compare it against similar IT Operations Support Services (ITOSS) contracts awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other federal agencies over the past 1-3 years. Factors such as contract duration (272 days), scope of services (Computer Systems Design Services), and the specific agency's IT needs are crucial for a fair comparison. If similar contracts for comparable services and durations are valued significantly higher or lower, it could indicate whether this award represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. The firm fixed-price nature also implies a degree of cost certainty that should be factored into value assessments.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this IT Operations Support Services contract include potential performance failures by Inserso Corporation, leading to disruptions in critical IT operations for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, is another risk, especially under a fixed-price contract if not managed diligently. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if the services are highly specialized. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by ICE, clear performance metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs), regular progress reviews, and contingency planning for service disruptions. The firm fixed-price structure itself mitigates financial risk for the government, provided the scope is well-defined.

What is the expected effectiveness of the IT Operations Support Services provided under this contract for ICE's mission?

The effectiveness of these IT Operations Support Services is expected to directly support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) mission by ensuring the smooth and reliable functioning of their critical IT infrastructure. This includes maintaining systems that support law enforcement, border security, and immigration enforcement operations. Effective service delivery should lead to enhanced operational efficiency, reduced downtime, and improved data management capabilities. The success will hinge on Inserso Corporation's ability to meet the defined performance standards and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) outlined in the contract, contributing to ICE's overall mission objectives.

How has federal spending on IT Operations Support Services evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit?

Federal spending on IT Operations Support Services has generally trended upwards over the past five years, driven by the increasing digitization of government functions and the need for robust cybersecurity and system maintenance. Agencies across the government rely heavily on these services to manage complex IT environments. This $27.7 million contract with DHS fits within this broader trend, representing a specific investment by ICE to maintain and potentially enhance its IT capabilities. Analyzing historical spending patterns for ITOSS within DHS can provide context on whether this award is consistent with previous investment levels or represents a significant shift.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - END USER

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70CTD021Q00000193

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8180 GREENSBORO DR, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,780,472

Exercised Options: $27,780,472

Current Obligation: $27,734,201

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98120D00162

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline