DHS awards $26.4M for MIX system integration, with Monkton Inc. as prime contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,412,809 ($26.4M)

Contractor: Monkton, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-09-27

End Date: 2026-05-04

Contract Duration: 584 days

Daily Burn Rate: $45.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REQUIREMENT FOR SYSTEM INTEGRATION SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (MIX) PORTFOLIO OF PROGRAMS.

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $26.4 million to MONKTON, INC. for work described as: REQUIREMENT FOR SYSTEM INTEGRATION SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (MIX) PORTFOLIO OF PROGRAMS. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical medical information exchange infrastructure. 2. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs and provide predictable spending. 3. Competition was conducted under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggesting a potentially complex procurement process. 4. The contract duration of 584 days indicates a medium-term engagement for system integration services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 518210 points to a focus on data processing and hosting services. 6. The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $26.4 million for system integration support appears reasonable given the scope of supporting a 'Medical Information Exchange (MIX) Portfolio of Programs.' Benchmarking against similar large-scale IT integration contracts within federal agencies suggests this is within a typical range for complex system development and maintenance. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally favorable for the government in controlling costs, provided the scope is well-defined. Without specific details on the services rendered per unit or the complexity of the MIX portfolio, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the overall award size is not an immediate outlier.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This specific phrasing suggests that while the competition was intended to be broad, there might have been initial exclusions or specific requirements that narrowed the field before the final open competition phase. The number of bidders is not provided, which limits a detailed analysis of the competitive landscape. However, a full and open competition generally fosters price discovery and encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with initial source exclusions, is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, potentially leading to better value for the government's investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel and potentially other federal agencies relying on the Medical Information Exchange (MIX) for critical health data. The contract will deliver essential system integration support, ensuring the reliability, security, and interoperability of the MIX portfolio. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting federal IT infrastructure and operations. Workforce implications may include specialized IT professionals, system integrators, and project managers employed by Monkton, Inc. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the MIX portfolio's complexity is underestimated.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical system integration could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the initial competitive landscape.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing and solutions.
The contract supports a critical function for the Department of Homeland Security.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on system integration, data processing, and hosting. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in modernizing and integrating their complex systems. The MIX portfolio likely plays a crucial role in managing sensitive medical information, a high-priority area for federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale IT modernization and integration contracts awarded to major federal IT contractors, often in the multi-million dollar range.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Monkton, Inc. is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without this data, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though large prime contracts often have subcontracting goals that can benefit small businesses if actively managed.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations. Performance monitoring, milestone reviews, and adherence to the firm-fixed-price terms are key accountability measures. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. The Inspector General for DHS would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security IT Modernization Programs
Federal Health Information Exchange Initiatives
Medical Information Systems Support Contracts
System Integration Services for Federal Agencies
Data Processing and Hosting Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
Complexity of integrating medical information systems requires robust technical expertise.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $26.4 million to MONKTON, INC.. REQUIREMENT FOR SYSTEM INTEGRATION SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE (MIX) PORTFOLIO OF PROGRAMS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MONKTON, 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 $26.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2026-05-04.

What is the specific nature and complexity of the Medical Information Exchange (MIX) portfolio of programs that requires this level of system integration support?

The Medical Information Exchange (MIX) portfolio of programs likely refers to a suite of systems designed to facilitate the secure sharing and management of medical information across various components within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or potentially with partner agencies. This could encompass electronic health records (EHR) integration, health surveillance systems, emergency medical response data management, or personnel health monitoring systems. The complexity arises from the need for interoperability between disparate systems, stringent data security and privacy requirements (e.g., HIPAA compliance), high availability, and the integration of potentially legacy and modern technologies. System integration support would involve tasks such as software development, system configuration, data migration, API development, testing, and ensuring seamless communication between different modules and external entities.

How does the $26.4 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar system integration projects within DHS or comparable agencies?

Comparing the $26.4 million award to historical spending requires access to detailed contract databases and specific project scopes. However, for large-scale system integration projects supporting critical infrastructure like medical information exchange, this figure is within a common range for federal contracts. Agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) often award contracts in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars for similar endeavors. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests a well-defined scope, which can help in cost control compared to cost-plus contracts. Without specific comparable projects, it's difficult to definitively state if it's high or low, but it aligns with the expected investment for such a critical IT function.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract to ensure successful system integration and performance?

While specific KPIs and SLAs are not detailed in the provided summary, typical metrics for system integration contracts of this nature would include system uptime and availability (e.g., 99.9% availability), response times for critical functions, successful data transfer rates, defect resolution times, completion of integration milestones within schedule, and adherence to security protocols. Service Level Agreements would define the expected performance levels and the remedies or penalties if those levels are not met. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring Monkton, Inc.'s performance against these agreed-upon metrics throughout the contract period.

What is Monkton, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Homeland Security and in delivering similar system integration services?

Assessing Monkton, Inc.'s track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly with DHS. Information on their previous awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations would be relevant. Their experience in system integration, data processing, and handling sensitive information like medical data is crucial. A positive performance history on similar, complex IT projects would indicate a lower risk for this current contract. Conversely, a history of underperformance or issues could raise concerns about their capability to meet the demands of the MIX portfolio.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' procurement method for this contract?

The phrase 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' suggests a procurement process that may have initially involved excluding certain potential offerors based on specific criteria before opening the competition broadly. This could potentially limit the pool of bidders if the exclusion criteria were overly restrictive or if the initial exclusion was not well-justified. While the intent is still to achieve broad competition, the 'after exclusion' aspect could raise questions about whether the most innovative or cost-effective solutions were considered from the outset. It might also indicate a complex requirement where initial market research identified specific capabilities needed, leading to targeted exclusions before the main competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related 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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 70RWMD24QP0000009

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2236 CENTRAL AVE, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $92,040,409

Exercised Options: $26,412,809

Current Obligation: $26,412,809

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA259520D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline