DHS awards $12M for ICE data reporting system support, with 5 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,053,440 ($12.1M)

Contractor: Kci-Acuity, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-06-01

End Date: 2027-04-15

Contract Duration: 1,414 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS CONTRACT IS FOR ICE DATA REPORTING SYSTEM (IDRS) SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20536

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $12.1 million to KCI-ACUITY, LLC for work described as: THIS CONTRACT IS FOR ICE DATA REPORTING SYSTEM (IDRS) SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO) Key points: 1. Contract value of $12.05 million for IT systems design services. 2. Competition was robust, with 5 bidders participating in the full and open process. 3. The contract duration is approximately 3.9 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Services are for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) OCIO. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, shifting risk to the contractor. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $12.05 million for computer systems design services appears reasonable given the nearly four-year duration. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Firm Fixed Price structure suggests a clear scope of work and helps control costs for the government, assuming the scope is well-defined.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple potential offerors were solicited. The participation of 5 bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process with multiple bidders helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovative solutions from contractors.

Public Impact

Benefits the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) within ICE. Supports the critical function of data reporting systems for immigration and customs enforcement operations. Ensures the continued operation and potential enhancement of the ICE Data Reporting System (IDRS). Impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of ICE's information management and reporting capabilities. Likely involves IT professionals and support staff, potentially impacting the federal IT workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the IDRS requirements are not precisely defined.
Dependence on contractor expertise could create knowledge transfer challenges.
Performance issues could impact ICE's data reporting accuracy and timeliness.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government.
Full and open competition with 5 bidders suggests a competitive market for these services.
Long-term contract duration allows for stable support and potential for relationship building.
Contract awarded to KCI-ACUITY, LLC, whose past performance should be reviewed for suitability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design services. The federal government is a significant consumer of such services, with billions spent annually on IT modernization, support, and development. This contract for ICE's data reporting system is a component of the broader federal IT infrastructure, supporting critical law enforcement and national security functions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar IT support and system development within agencies like DHS or other law enforcement bodies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The primary award went to KCI-ACUITY, LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if KCI-ACUITY has a robust small business subcontracting plan in place, which is often a requirement for larger prime contracts, even if not explicitly set aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officer and program managers within the OCIO. The contract's Firm Fixed Price nature simplifies some aspects of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are reported. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

DHS IT Modernization Programs
ICE Information Technology Services
Federal Data Management Systems
Customs and Border Protection IT Contracts
Law Enforcement Technology Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Contractor performance risk
Data security and integrity concerns
Dependence on specific contractor expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $12.1 million to KCI-ACUITY, LLC. THIS CONTRACT IS FOR ICE DATA REPORTING SYSTEM (IDRS) SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KCI-ACUITY, 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 $12.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-01. End: 2027-04-15.

What is the track record of KCI-ACUITY, LLC in performing similar IT support and system design services for federal agencies, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security?

A thorough review of KCI-ACUITY, LLC's past performance is crucial. This would involve examining their contract history within FPDS and other federal databases for awards related to computer systems design services, IT support, and data reporting systems. Specific attention should be paid to performance evaluations (CPARS) on previous DHS or ICE contracts, if any. Understanding their experience with similar system complexities, security requirements, and reporting mandates will indicate their capability to successfully execute this IDRS support contract. Any history of performance issues, contract disputes, or significant delays on prior government contracts would be a red flag.

How does the awarded price of approximately $12.05 million for nearly four years of support compare to market rates for similar IT systems design and support services?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing its per-year cost (approximately $3.1 million) against industry data for IT systems design and support services. Factors such as the specific technologies involved, the complexity of the ICE Data Reporting System (IDRS), the required skill sets, and the geographic location of any personnel would influence market rates. Analyzing data from IT consulting firms, industry reports on IT service pricing, and publicly available data on similar federal contracts (adjusted for scope and duration) can provide a comparative perspective. The Firm Fixed Price nature suggests the government sought a predictable cost, but the initial negotiation and pricing strategy are key to ensuring value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential scope creep if the IDRS requirements are not meticulously defined and managed, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays despite the FFP structure. Contractor performance issues, such as failure to deliver quality services or meet deadlines, could impact ICE's critical data reporting functions. There's also a risk related to the security and integrity of sensitive immigration data. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by ICE officials, clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and potentially penalties for non-performance. The FFP contract itself mitigates financial risk for the government, provided the scope is well-managed. Security protocols and background checks for personnel would address data security risks.

How effective is the ICE Data Reporting System (IDRS) currently, and what improvements or support is this contract expected to deliver?

The effectiveness of the IDRS is central to this contract's purpose. This contract is intended to provide 'support' for the system, which could encompass maintenance, upgrades, bug fixes, user support, and potentially enhancements to reporting capabilities. Without specific details on the IDRS's current performance metrics or known deficiencies, it's difficult to quantify the expected improvements. However, the significant investment suggests a need for sustained operational capability and potentially modernization to meet evolving data analysis and reporting demands within ICE. The contract's success will be measured by the IDRS's reliability, accuracy, and the efficiency with which it supports ICE's mission.

What has been the historical spending trend for ICE Data Reporting System (IDRS) support or similar IT services within ICE over the past five years?

Analyzing historical spending on IDRS support and related IT services within ICE is essential for context. This would involve examining prior contracts for IDRS maintenance, development, or similar data management systems. Understanding if spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing can reveal trends in IT investment priorities and potential system lifecycle stages. For instance, a steady increase might indicate ongoing development or increasing reliance, while a decrease could suggest system maturity or a shift in focus. Comparing this $12.05 million award to previous expenditures will help determine if this represents a typical investment or a significant change in resource allocation for IDRS.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70CTD023R00000001

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 202 CHURCH ST SE STE 313A, LEESBURG, VA, 20175

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, SBA Certified 8 a Joint Venture, 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: $17,024,427

Exercised Options: $13,133,777

Current Obligation: $12,053,440

Actual Outlays: $9,737,192

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98119D00098

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline