DHS awards $15.7M for case management, with Information Systems & Networks Corp. securing the contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,700,285 ($15.7M)

Contractor: Information Systems & Networks Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2025-04-10

Contract Duration: 1,288 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: CASE MANAGEMENT AND INTAKE SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $15.7 million to INFORMATION SYSTEMS & NETWORKS CORPORATION for work described as: CASE MANAGEMENT AND INTAKE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include performance variability and contractor capacity. 4. Services align with DHS's mission to manage immigration and security cases. 5. This contract falls within the broader IT and professional services sector for government. 6. The contract type (Time and Materials) can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $15.7 million over approximately 3.5 years for case management and intake services seems within a reasonable range for a federal contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar IT and professional services contracts for government agencies indicates that pricing for such specialized services can vary significantly, but this award does not immediately suggest overpricing. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, however, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep, which could inflate the final cost beyond initial projections.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, a competitive process was indeed followed, allowing the agency to select the best value offer. The specific details of the evaluation criteria and the winning proposal's strengths are not publicly available, but the competition type is a positive indicator for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better quality services. It ensures that the government is not limited to a narrow selection of contractors, increasing the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair market price.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by providing essential case management and intake services. Supports the processing and management of immigration, security, and other relevant cases. Services are primarily delivered within the District of Columbia. Likely impacts a workforce involved in case processing, data entry, and administrative support within DHS or its contractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical case management functions poses a risk.
The specific performance metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are not detailed, making performance assessment difficult.
Potential for scope creep given the T&M nature of the contract.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent process.
Contract duration of over 3 years provides stability for service delivery.
Contractor (Information Systems & Networks Corporation) has experience in government IT services.
Services directly support a core mission function of DHS.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) and professional services sector, specifically focusing on case management and administrative support systems. The market for government IT services is substantial, with agencies increasingly relying on specialized contractors to manage complex data and workflows. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar case management solutions vary widely based on complexity, user base, and integration requirements, but a $15.7 million award over 3.5 years for intake and management services is not unusual for a federal agency like DHS.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The contractor, Information Systems & Networks Corporation, is not identified as a small business. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to fully assess the impact.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract necessitates robust oversight to monitor labor hours, costs, and adherence to the statement of work. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports and specific oversight mechanisms are typically internal to the agency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DHS Case Management Systems
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) IT Support
Federal Case Management Software
Government IT Services Contracts
Professional Services Administration Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract Type Risk (Time and Materials)
Performance Monitoring Challenges
Contractor Capacity and Staffing Stability

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $15.7 million to INFORMATION SYSTEMS & NETWORKS CORPORATION. CASE MANAGEMENT AND INTAKE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INFORMATION SYSTEMS & NETWORKS CORPORATION.

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 $15.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2025-04-10.

What is the track record of Information Systems & Networks Corporation with federal contracts, particularly those involving case management?

Information Systems & Networks Corporation (ISNet) has a history of performing IT and professional services for various federal agencies. While specific details on their case management contract performance require deeper analysis of past performance reports and contract databases, ISNet has been awarded numerous contracts across different agencies, including DHS, for services ranging from IT support to specialized technical solutions. Their experience suggests a capacity to handle federal requirements. However, a thorough review would involve examining past performance evaluations, any documented issues or successes on similar contracts, and their overall financial stability and operational capacity to ensure they meet the demanding requirements of DHS case management services.

How does the $15.7 million contract value compare to similar case management services procured by DHS or other federal agencies?

The $15.7 million contract value for case management and intake services over approximately 3.5 years represents an average annual value of roughly $4.5 million. This figure is within the expected range for federal IT and professional services contracts supporting significant operational functions. Benchmarking against similar procurements is complex due to variations in scope, complexity, number of users, and specific functionalities required. However, for a department as large and mission-critical as DHS, managing substantial caseloads, this investment appears commensurate with the scale of operations. Contracts for enterprise-level case management systems or extensive support services can range from a few million to tens of millions annually, depending on the specific requirements and the level of customization or integration needed.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for case management services?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for case management services is the potential for cost overruns and a lack of definitive cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual labor hours and materials used. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not managed rigorously. For DHS, this means that without strong oversight, the total cost could exceed the initial $15.7 million estimate. Risks include scope creep, where additional tasks are added without formal change orders, and potential inefficiencies in contractor performance, as the contractor is paid regardless of output efficiency. Mitigation strategies include detailed monitoring of labor hours, clear definition of tasks, and robust performance management by the government.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for money for this type of IT service contract?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money in federal IT service contracts. By allowing all responsible sources to bid, it creates a competitive environment that encourages contractors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. For this $15.7 million DHS contract, the competitive process likely drove down initial pricing compared to a sole-source award. However, the ultimate value for money also depends on the contract type (T&M here, which requires careful management) and the government's ability to effectively oversee performance and manage costs throughout the contract's lifecycle. While competition sets a strong foundation, ongoing diligence is crucial.

What are the potential performance implications if Information Systems & Networks Corporation faces staffing or resource challenges during the contract period?

Staffing and resource challenges for Information Systems & Networks Corporation (ISNet) could have significant performance implications for DHS's case management and intake services. Given the critical nature of these services, any disruption could lead to delays in case processing, increased backlogs, and potential impacts on national security or immigration processes. If ISNet struggles to maintain adequate staffing levels or faces resource constraints, it could result in reduced service quality, missed deadlines, and failure to meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs), if defined. The T&M contract structure might allow for increased hours to compensate for understaffing, potentially driving up costs. DHS would need to actively monitor ISNet's staffing and resource management and enforce contractual remedies if performance degrades.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Investigation and Personal Background Check 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: 70RDAD21Q00000216

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10411 MOTOR CITY DR, BETHESDA, MD, 20817

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,048,343

Exercised Options: $15,700,285

Current Obligation: $15,700,285

Actual Outlays: $11,022,314

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QSEA18D0006

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline