DHS OCIO awards $29.8M contract for program management support to ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,861,112 ($29.9M)

Contractor: Anser Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2018-09-27

End Date: 2023-06-12

Contract Duration: 1,719 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS RFQ IS TO PROCURE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO).

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 $29.9 million to ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS RFQ IS TO PROCURE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO). Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 2. The contract duration of 1719 days suggests a long-term need for program management services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to a focus on management consulting. 5. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 6. The contractor, ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC, has secured this significant award, highlighting their capability in this service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $29.8 million over approximately 4.7 years represents a significant investment in program management support for DHS OCIO. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for management consulting services within federal agencies is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set price for the defined scope of work, which can be advantageous if the scope is well-defined and managed effectively. The value proposition hinges on the successful delivery of program management expertise that enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the OCIO's operations.

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 is a standard competitive procedure allowing all responsible sources to submit an offer. The data indicates there were 8 offers received, suggesting a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process with multiple bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive proposals, maximizing the value of the awarded funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Chief Information Officer, which receives essential program management support. Services delivered include program management, which is critical for the successful execution of IT initiatives and overall operational efficiency within the OCIO. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the DHS OCIO is located. Workforce implications include the potential for job creation within ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC to fulfill the contract requirements, as well as the impact on the efficiency of the government workforce supported by improved program management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program management requirements are not tightly controlled.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical program management functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
The long contract duration necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure continued alignment with evolving DHS needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process that likely yielded a fair price.
Firm-fixed-price contract type transfers risk to the contractor, encouraging efficient performance.
The contractor, ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC, has been selected, suggesting they met the government's requirements and demonstrated capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services to support its complex operations and technology modernization efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks for program management support services can vary widely based on agency, scope, and duration, but the $29.8 million award over nearly five years indicates a substantial requirement for specialized expertise within a critical federal agency like DHS.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC, may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, which could indirectly benefit the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations and the specific program managers within the OCIO. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG, where contract actions are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

DHS IT Management Support Services
Federal Program Management Consulting
OCIO Support Contracts
Management and Technical Consulting Services
Government IT Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Contractor performance risk
Long-term contract management challenges

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $29.9 million to ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS RFQ IS TO PROCURE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (DHS) OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC.

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 $29.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-27. End: 2023-06-12.

What is the track record of ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC in performing similar program management support services for federal agencies?

Assessing the track record of ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC requires a deeper dive into their past performance on federal contracts. While this award signifies a significant win, it's crucial to examine their history with similar program management support services, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security or other large federal organizations. Key indicators would include past performance evaluations, any documented issues or disputes on previous contracts, and the successful completion of projects of comparable scope and complexity. A review of contract databases and agency performance information systems would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in delivering these specialized services.

How does the awarded amount of $29.8 million compare to typical spending for similar program management support contracts within federal agencies?

The $29.8 million awarded to ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC for program management support over approximately 4.7 years (1719 days) represents a substantial investment. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar services (NAICS 541611) awarded by agencies of comparable size and complexity, such as other large cabinet-level departments. Factors like the specific scope of work, the level of expertise required, and the duration of the contract heavily influence cost. Without detailed service descriptions, a precise comparison is difficult, but this figure suggests a significant and ongoing need for program management expertise within DHS OCIO, likely encompassing a broad range of IT and operational support functions.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements may expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is contractor performance; if ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC fails to deliver adequate program management support, it could impede the OCIO's objectives. The long duration also presents a risk of misalignment with evolving agency needs. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract management by DHS, clear definition and control of the Statement of Work (SOW), regular performance reviews, and the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and performance efficiently to maintain profitability.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this program management support requirement?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. For program management support services, FFP shifts the primary performance risk to the contractor, ANSER SOLUTIONS LLC. This means the contractor is obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, incentivizing them to control costs and operate efficiently. If the scope is managed tightly by DHS, FFP can lead to predictable costs and prevent budget overruns. However, if the scope is poorly defined or changes frequently, it could lead to contractor requests for equitable adjustments or potential disputes, diminishing the value proposition.

What does the level of competition (8 offers) indicate about the market for DHS program management support services?

Receiving 8 offers for this program management support contract indicates a reasonably competitive market for these services within the federal sector, particularly for an agency like DHS. This suggests that multiple companies possess the capabilities and interest to compete for such requirements. A healthy number of bidders generally leads to better price competition and allows the government to select from a range of qualified vendors. It implies that the market is not overly concentrated and that smaller or mid-sized firms may also be capable of competing, alongside larger established players, for these types of federal contracts.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RTAC18Q00000016

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10306 EATON PLACE, SUITE 520, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $106,137,117

Exercised Options: $30,464,280

Current Obligation: $29,861,112

Actual Outlays: $5,463,830

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC17DP2005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline