DHS Awards $2.6M Data Analysis Support BPA Call to COBEC, Inc. for 2 Years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,590,997 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Cobec, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-07-16

End Date: 2026-07-15

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A NEW TASK ORDER ISSUED FOR DATA ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICE WITH OCFO/CAD AND COBEC ISSUED OFF BPA NO. 70RDAD23A00000013

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.6 million to COBEC, INC. for work described as: THIS IS A NEW TASK ORDER ISSUED FOR DATA ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICE WITH OCFO/CAD AND COBEC ISSUED OFF BPA NO. 70RDAD23A00000013 Key points: 1. Contract awarded under an existing BPA, suggesting potential for streamlined procurement. 2. The service category (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) is broad and could encompass various analytical needs. 3. Awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can pose cost control risks if not closely managed. 4. No small business participation noted, which may be a missed opportunity for economic development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.6M over two years for data analysis support appears reasonable for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar Time and Materials contracts for management consulting is difficult without more specific service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a full and open competition BPA call. This method generally promotes competitive pricing, but the Time and Materials pricing structure requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from competition, but the Time and Materials structure necessitates vigilant oversight to prevent cost overruns.

Public Impact

Supports critical administrative functions within DHS's OCFO/CAD and COBEC. Enhances data analysis capabilities, potentially leading to improved decision-making and operational efficiency. The duration of the contract allows for sustained support and development of analytical expertise. Focus on administrative management consulting suggests impact on internal processes and resource allocation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing can lead to uncontrolled costs.
Lack of small business participation.
Broad service category may lack specificity for precise cost evaluation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under existing BPA, potentially reducing administrative burden.
Full and open competition ensures market access.
Contract duration provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under management and consulting services, a sector characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise. Spending benchmarks vary significantly based on the specific services and duration, but $2.6M over two years for data analysis support is within a typical range for federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have specific small business subcontracting goals. This represents a potential missed opportunity to leverage small business capabilities in the administrative management and consulting sector.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to manage the Time and Materials contract effectively, ensuring that hours billed and rates are reasonable and directly related to the data analysis support services. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations is responsible for administering this BPA call.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of specific small business participation.
Broad service category may obscure true value for money.
Performance metrics not explicitly stated in award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.6 million to COBEC, INC.. THIS IS A NEW TASK ORDER ISSUED FOR DATA ANALYSIS SUPPORT SERVICE WITH OCFO/CAD AND COBEC ISSUED OFF BPA NO. 70RDAD23A00000013

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COBEC, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-16. End: 2026-07-15.

What specific data analysis tasks will COBEC, Inc. perform, and how will their performance be measured against defined objectives?

The specific data analysis tasks are not detailed in the provided data but fall under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services'. Performance measurement will likely involve adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables (reports, insights), and effective communication with DHS OCFO/CAD and COBEC stakeholders. Clear metrics and regular progress reviews are essential for effective oversight.

What are the potential risks associated with the Time and Materials contract type for this data analysis support service?

The primary risk of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not well-defined or if contractor effort is not closely monitored. For data analysis, this could mean extended hours beyond initial estimates without proportional increases in value. Effective oversight, clear task orders, and regular reporting are critical to mitigate these risks.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of DHS's data analysis capabilities?

This contract aims to enhance DHS's data analysis capabilities by providing specialized support to the OCFO/CAD and COBEC. By leveraging external expertise, the agency can potentially improve its ability to process, interpret, and utilize data for better decision-making, resource allocation, and operational efficiency. The effectiveness will depend on the quality of the analysis and its actionable insights.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RDA224Q00000029

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cobec Inc.

Address: 500 LENFANT PLZ SW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20024

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,744,541

Exercised Options: $2,590,997

Current Obligation: $2,590,997

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RDAD23A00000013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline