DHS awards $20.7M contract to UL Inc. for fire incident reporting systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,725,059 ($20.7M)
Contractor: Underwriters Laboratories Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2023-05-04
End Date: 2028-05-03
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE CURRENT FEDERAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS & CONTEMPORARY NEEDS OF THE US FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) COMMUNITY.
Place of Performance
Location: NORTHBROOK, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60062
State: Illinois Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $20.7 million to UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC for work described as: SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE CURRENT FEDERAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS & CONTEMPORARY NEEDS OF THE US FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) COMMUNITY. Key points: 1. The contract aims to support federal fire incident reporting and management systems. 2. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) is the awardee. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. This award represents a significant investment in emergency services technology.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $20.7M over five years appears reasonable for specialized R&D services in emergency response systems. Benchmarking against similar complex system development contracts is difficult without more detailed scope information.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method is generally expected to yield fair market prices, though specific pricing details are not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to enhance critical emergency response infrastructure, aiming for improved data management and operational efficiency in fire and EMS.
Public Impact
Improved data collection and analysis for fire incidents nationwide. Enhanced support for US fire and emergency medical services. Potential for more effective resource allocation and response strategies. Modernization of critical federal IT infrastructure for public safety.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data.
- Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical system support.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical public safety need.
- Long-term contract provides stability for system development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development, specifically focusing on systems for physical and engineering sciences related to emergency services. Spending in this niche R&D area is often project-specific and driven by evolving technological needs and safety regulations.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the developed systems meet the stated objectives and that the funds are used efficiently. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations is responsible for managing this contract.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- R&D project complexity
- Potential for technology obsolescence
- User adoption challenges
- Lack of specific performance metrics in award data
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-homeland-security, il, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $20.7 million to UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES INC. SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF THE CURRENT FEDERAL FIRE INCIDENT REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS & CONTEMPORARY NEEDS OF THE US FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) COMMUNITY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES 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 $20.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-05-04. End: 2028-05-03.
What specific performance metrics will be used to evaluate the success of the fire incident reporting and management systems developed under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the performance metrics for this contract. Effective oversight would require clearly defined metrics related to system functionality, data accuracy, user adoption, and reporting timeliness. These metrics should be established and monitored by the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the R&D investment yields tangible improvements for the fire and EMS community.
What are the primary risks associated with the development and implementation of these new fire incident reporting systems?
Key risks include potential technical challenges in developing robust and user-friendly systems, integration issues with existing infrastructure, and user adoption hurdles among diverse fire and EMS agencies. There's also a risk of the technology becoming outdated quickly in the rapidly evolving R&D landscape, requiring continuous updates and potential cost overruns.
How will the effectiveness of these systems be measured in terms of improving emergency response and public safety outcomes?
Effectiveness will be measured by the systems' ability to provide timely, accurate, and comprehensive data for incident analysis, resource allocation, and policy development. Improved response times, better situational awareness during emergencies, and data-driven enhancements to training and safety protocols would indicate success. Long-term impact assessments comparing pre- and post-implementation safety statistics are also crucial.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: UL LLC
Address: 333 PFINGSTEN RD, NORTHBROOK, IL, 60062
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $33,332,326
Exercised Options: $20,725,059
Current Obligation: $20,725,059
Actual Outlays: $11,449,292
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-05-04
Current End Date: 2028-05-03
Potential End Date: 2028-05-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-01
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