DHS awards $10.87M for engineering and case studies support, with a 3-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,871,289 ($10.9M)

Contractor: Total Systems Technologies Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-17

End Date: 2026-09-16

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENGINEERING AND CASE STUDIES SUPPORT SERVICES (ECSS) RISK ANALYTICS PROCESSES SYSTEM AND RISK ANALYSIS DIVISION ANALYTIC SUPPORT TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $10.9 million to TOTAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION for work described as: ENGINEERING AND CASE STUDIES SUPPORT SERVICES (ECSS) RISK ANALYTICS PROCESSES SYSTEM AND RISK ANALYSIS DIVISION ANALYTIC SUPPORT TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Total Systems Technologies Corporation for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type, indicating predictable costs for the government. 3. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, suggesting a pre-negotiated framework. 4. The contract has a duration of 1095 days (3 years). 5. The task order is for Engineering and Case Studies Support Services (ECSS) Risk Analytics Processes System and Risk Analysis Division Analytic Support. 6. The contract was awarded through Full and Open Competition. 7. The place of performance is Virginia.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $10.87 million over three years for specialized analytical support appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar administrative management and general management consulting services contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a defined cost for the services, which is a positive indicator for value. The absence of raw dollar amounts in the provided data prevents a direct per-unit cost comparison, but the overall award size is within typical ranges for such support services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through Full and Open Competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This process generally fosters a competitive environment, allowing the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests that multiple entities likely vied for this opportunity, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition maximizes the potential for cost savings and ensures that taxpayers benefit from the most competitive pricing available in the market for these essential analytical support services.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), specifically the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will benefit from enhanced risk analytics and case study support. Services delivered will include engineering and case studies support, focusing on risk analytics processes and system analysis. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the services will be performed. The contract supports specialized analytical functions within the government, likely requiring skilled personnel in consulting and analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services delivered.
The duration of the contract (3 years) could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Limited information on the specific deliverables and expected outcomes hinders a comprehensive risk assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is for specialized analytical support, which is crucial for risk management and decision-making.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS code 541611). This sector encompasses a broad range of professional services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in areas like strategic planning, risk management, and operational analysis. The contract's focus on risk analytics and case studies suggests it supports critical functions within the Transportation Security Administration, aligning with broader government efforts to enhance security and operational oversight.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. However, the prime contractor, Total Systems Technologies Corporation, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on their own subcontracting plans and the nature of the services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Homeland Security, specifically the Transportation Security Administration, through designated contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. The specific jurisdiction of an Inspector General would depend on the agency's internal structure and the nature of any potential investigations.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Transportation Security Administration Contracts
Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Risk Analytics and Management Support
Engineering and Case Studies Support Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Contract performance risk
Cost control risk (mitigated by FFP)
Vendor lock-in risk
Data security and privacy risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $10.9 million to TOTAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION. ENGINEERING AND CASE STUDIES SUPPORT SERVICES (ECSS) RISK ANALYTICS PROCESSES SYSTEM AND RISK ANALYSIS DIVISION ANALYTIC SUPPORT TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TOTAL SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-17. End: 2026-09-16.

What is the track record of Total Systems Technologies Corporation with the Department of Homeland Security?

Information regarding Total Systems Technologies Corporation's specific track record with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not detailed in the provided data. However, the award of this contract suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability to perform the required services. To fully assess their track record, one would need to review past performance evaluations, contract history with DHS and other federal agencies, and any reported issues or successes on previous engagements. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases and agency performance reports would be necessary for a comprehensive understanding of their history and reliability in serving government clients, particularly within the security and transportation sectors.

How does the $10.87 million value compare to similar engineering and case studies support contracts?

The $10.87 million value for Engineering and Case Studies Support Services (ECSS) over a three-year period is a moderate-sized award within the federal contracting landscape for administrative and management consulting. Without specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and the exact nature of the risk analytics processes supported, a precise comparison is difficult. However, contracts for specialized analytical support, risk assessment, and case studies can range significantly in value depending on the complexity, duration, and criticality of the services. This award appears to be in line with typical task orders issued under larger Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) for professional services, suggesting it is a reasonable investment for the anticipated support to the Transportation Security Administration.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?

The primary risks associated with this contract for the government include potential underperformance by the contractor, leading to delays or inadequate support in critical risk analytics processes. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm fixed-price structure doesn't adequately account for unforeseen complexities, although this is mitigated by the pricing model. Another risk is the potential for insufficient knowledge transfer or dependency on the contractor, making it difficult for the government to sustain these analytical capabilities internally. Ensuring the contractor maintains the necessary security clearances and adheres to data privacy regulations is also a critical risk area, especially given the sensitive nature of TSA operations.

How effective is the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in managing its support service contracts?

Assessing the overall effectiveness of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in managing its support service contracts requires a broader analysis of their procurement history, contract performance metrics, and audit findings. This specific contract award does not provide enough information to judge TSA's general contract management effectiveness. However, the TSA, like many large federal agencies, utilizes a variety of contract types and competition strategies to acquire necessary services. Their effectiveness is typically measured by factors such as timely delivery of services, adherence to budget, contractor performance ratings, and the achievement of program objectives. Publicly available reports from oversight bodies like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the DHS Inspector General could offer insights into TSA's contract management practices.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar risk analytics and case study support services within DHS?

Historical spending patterns for similar risk analytics and case study support services within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are not detailed in the provided data. However, DHS agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), consistently invest in analytical capabilities to support their missions related to security, risk assessment, and operational efficiency. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on evolving threats, new initiatives, and budget allocations. Analyzing historical data would involve examining procurement records for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541611) and service descriptions related to risk analysis, case studies, and management consulting across various DHS components over several fiscal years.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the government's ability to perform internal risk analysis?

This contract is intended to *support* the government's ability to perform internal risk analysis, not replace it. By providing specialized engineering and case studies support, the contractor is expected to enhance the analytical capacity of the Risk Analysis Processes System and Risk Analysis Division within the TSA. The goal is likely to leverage external expertise for specific tasks, improve methodologies, or provide additional bandwidth for complex analyses. The potential impact is positive, assuming the contractor delivers high-quality, actionable insights. However, a risk exists if the government becomes overly reliant on the contractor, potentially diminishing internal expertise or institutional knowledge over time. Effective knowledge transfer and collaboration are key to maximizing the positive impact.

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: 200 N GLEBE RD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,272,304

Exercised Options: $10,871,289

Current Obligation: $10,871,289

Actual Outlays: $7,041,479

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70T04022A7573N001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline