DHS awards $32M consulting BPA call to RELI GROUP INC for TSA vetting and security analysis

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,095,185 ($32.1M)

Contractor: Reli Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2020-06-17

End Date: 2025-06-16

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA CALL IN SUPPORT OF VETTING ANALYSIS DIVISION (VAD)/SECURITY THREAT ANALYSIS DIVISION (STAD). THE CONTRACTOR WILL SUPPORT TSA THROUGH STRATEGIC CONSULTING, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, INITIATIVES OR FUNCTIONS.

Place of Performance

Location: ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20701

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $32.1 million to RELI GROUP INC for work described as: BPA CALL IN SUPPORT OF VETTING ANALYSIS DIVISION (VAD)/SECURITY THREAT ANALYSIS DIVISION (STAD). THE CONTRACTOR WILL SUPPORT TSA THROUGH STRATEGIC CONSULTING, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, INITIATIVES OR FUNCTIONS. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on strategic consulting and technical support for TSA's vetting and security threat analysis divisions. 2. RELI GROUP INC is the sole awardee under this specific BPA call. 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) type, indicating a defined scope and cost. 4. This award falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award is $32.1M over 5 years. Without specific task orders or comparable benchmarks for similar strategic consulting services within TSA, a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the duration and scope suggest a moderate investment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under a full and open competition BPA call. This method generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the specific pricing for this call is not detailed, making it hard to assess if it achieved optimal price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding critical security analysis functions within TSA. The full and open competition aims to ensure reasonable pricing for these essential services.

Public Impact

Enhances TSA's capabilities in identifying and mitigating security threats. Supports the vetting process for individuals accessing sensitive transportation systems. Provides strategic guidance to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness. Contributes to national security by strengthening threat analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics for this specific BPA call.
Limited insight into the specific deliverables and their impact.
Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Supports critical national security functions.
Awarded under full and open competition.
Long-term contract provides stability for essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the management consulting sector, which is broad. Benchmarks for similar strategic and technical support contracts within government agencies can vary widely based on specialization and scope. The $32M award over 5 years is a significant but not extraordinary sum for specialized consulting.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, RELI GROUP INC, is not identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, this specific BPA call does not appear to directly benefit small businesses through subcontracting opportunities based on the primary awardee's status.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration contracting officers. Regular reviews of performance against task orders and adherence to contract terms are expected to ensure accountability.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Transportation Security Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics.
Limited transparency on task order details.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $32.1 million to RELI GROUP INC. BPA CALL IN SUPPORT OF VETTING ANALYSIS DIVISION (VAD)/SECURITY THREAT ANALYSIS DIVISION (STAD). THE CONTRACTOR WILL SUPPORT TSA THROUGH STRATEGIC CONSULTING, SCIENTIFIC, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, INITIATIVES OR FUNCTIONS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RELI GROUP INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-17. End: 2025-06-16.

What specific metrics are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategic consulting and technical support provided by RELI GROUP INC?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics. Effective evaluation would likely involve tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) related to the efficiency of vetting processes, the accuracy of threat analysis, the successful implementation of strategic recommendations, and contractor responsiveness. These metrics should be clearly defined in the task orders issued under this BPA call.

How does the pricing structure of this BPA call compare to industry standards for similar consulting services, considering the specialized nature of TSA's security needs?

A direct comparison is challenging without detailed pricing breakdowns for specific services rendered under this BPA call. However, the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure suggests that RELI GROUP INC has committed to a set price for defined work. The 'full and open competition' aspect should theoretically drive pricing towards market rates, but the unique security requirements of TSA could justify a premium.

What is the anticipated long-term impact of this contract on TSA's overall security posture and operational efficiency?

This contract is expected to bolster TSA's capabilities in critical areas like security threat analysis and vetting, potentially leading to more robust security measures and improved operational efficiency. The strategic consulting aspect aims to optimize existing processes and identify new approaches to security challenges, contributing to a stronger national transportation security framework.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5520 RESEARCH PARK DR, CATONSVILLE, MD, 21228

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,695,185

Exercised Options: $32,095,185

Current Obligation: $32,095,185

Actual Outlays: $19,268,910

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70T05019A9NMED049

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline