USCIS Awards $2.17M for Business Architecture Development to Arch Systems LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,165,883 ($2.2M)
Contractor: Arch Systems LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2025-04-20
End Date: 2026-11-19
Contract Duration: 578 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC SPECIFICATION DESIGN (BADSSD) - FACILITATE THE CREATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND PROMOTION OF AN EFFICIENT, OPERATIONALLY VIABLE, AND CONSISTENT ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE WITHIN USCIS. EXEMPTION 4(A) INFRASTRU
Place of Performance
Location: SUITLAND, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20746
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.2 million to ARCH SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC SPECIFICATION DESIGN (BADSSD) - FACILITATE THE CREATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND PROMOTION OF AN EFFICIENT, OPERATIONALLY VIABLE, AND CONSISTENT ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE WITHIN USCIS. EXEMPTION 4(A) INFRASTRU Key points: 1. Contract focuses on enterprise architecture for USCIS, aiming for efficiency and viability. 2. Arch Systems LLC, a single awardee, will provide design and documentation services. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger unspecified contract. 4. Spending is categorized under Computer Systems Design Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.17M for a 1.5-year duration appears reasonable for specialized business architecture services. Benchmarking against similar IT consulting contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to broader competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for strategic IT planning and development within USCIS, aiming to improve operational efficiency.
Public Impact
Enhances the operational framework of a critical government agency (USCIS). Supports the modernization and efficiency of immigration services through better architecture. Potential for improved data management and system integration within USCIS. Ensures consistency and viability in the agency's enterprise architecture.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may not yield the best price.
- Lack of clarity on the parent contract.
- Small business participation not indicated.
Positive Signals
- Focus on strategic IT development.
- Aims for operational efficiency.
- Clear deliverables for enterprise architecture.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT consulting and systems design sector, specifically focusing on enterprise architecture. Spending benchmarks for similar government IT services vary widely based on scope and complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the awardee is Arch Systems LLC, and there is no explicit mention of small business participation (ss: false, sb: false). Further investigation may be needed to confirm if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger, potentially pre-vetted contract. Oversight would typically involve monitoring the delivery order's progress against defined milestones and deliverables.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Lack of transparency regarding the parent contract.
- No clear indication of small business subcontracting opportunities.
- The specific nature of the exemption could restrict broader market engagement.
- Effectiveness hinges on successful implementation and adoption of the architecture.
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-homeland-security, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.2 million to ARCH SYSTEMS LLC. BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC SPECIFICATION DESIGN (BADSSD) - FACILITATE THE CREATION, DOCUMENTATION, AND PROMOTION OF AN EFFICIENT, OPERATIONALLY VIABLE, AND CONSISTENT ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE WITHIN USCIS. EXEMPTION 4(A) INFRASTRU
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARCH SYSTEMS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-20. End: 2026-11-19.
What is the specific nature of the 'EXEMPTION 4(A) INFRASTRU' and how does it impact the competition?
Exemption 4(A) typically relates to trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information. Its application here suggests specific proprietary aspects of the architecture development may have limited the scope of competition, potentially impacting the ability to solicit a wider range of bids and achieve optimal pricing.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract to ensure effective enterprise architecture development?
Effective enterprise architecture development would likely be measured by KPIs such as the successful documentation of current and future state architectures, the adoption rate of the developed architecture by USCIS teams, the reduction in system redundancies, and the improvement in data consistency and accessibility as defined in the contract's statement of work.
How does this contract align with USCIS's broader IT modernization strategy and long-term goals?
This contract is crucial for establishing a foundational 'efficient, operationally viable, and consistent enterprise architecture.' It directly supports IT modernization by providing the blueprint for future systems and integrations, ensuring that USCIS's technology investments are strategic, scalable, and aligned with its mission objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 70SBUR25R00000002
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1800 WASHINGTON BLVD STE 421, BALTIMORE, MD, 21230
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,936,689
Exercised Options: $4,348,682
Current Obligation: $2,165,883
Actual Outlays: $446,806
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N98118D00064
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-20
Current End Date: 2026-11-19
Potential End Date: 2028-11-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-20
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