DHS awards $23M for DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module support and maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,955 ($23.0K)

Contractor: Diverse Computing, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-05-11

End Date: 2027-05-10

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE DCI EAGENT JXI WALES MODULE.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20223

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $22,954.98 to DIVERSE COMPUTING, INC. for work described as: THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE DCI EAGENT JXI WALES MODULE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential support and maintenance for a critical software module. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. The contract duration of approximately four years provides long-term stability for the service. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps to control costs and manage budget predictability. 5. The primary contractor, Diverse Computing, Inc., will be responsible for delivering these services. 6. The contract is for software publishers, indicating a focus on digital infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $22.95 million over four years for software support and maintenance appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for complex systems suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm fixed-price structure further supports value by capping potential cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The number of bidders is not specified, but this method generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages vendors to offer their best terms. The open competition suggests that the government sought the most advantageous solution available in the market.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it typically drives down prices and ensures that the government receives the best possible value for its investment, preventing inflated costs that might arise from less competitive procurement methods.

Public Impact

The U.S. Secret Service benefits from continued support and maintenance of the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module. Essential services include ensuring the operational readiness and functionality of the software. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Secret Service operates. Workforce implications include the need for specialized IT personnel to maintain and support the module.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is not adequately transferred.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical system maintenance could pose risks if performance falters.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market for these services.
The contract duration allows for stable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on software maintenance and support. The market for specialized software support can be competitive, with various firms offering expertise in maintaining complex government systems. The value of this contract is modest within the overall federal IT spending landscape, but critical for the specific function it serves.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses through this specific award is likely limited unless they were subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were made available to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security's contracting and program management offices. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Support Services
Software Maintenance Contracts
Department of Homeland Security IT Procurement
U.S. Secret Service Systems Support

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Contract Type
Competition Level

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $22,954.98 to DIVERSE COMPUTING, INC.. THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE DCI EAGENT JXI WALES MODULE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DIVERSE COMPUTING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Secret Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22,954.98.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-11. End: 2027-05-10.

What is the track record of Diverse Computing, Inc. in providing similar IT support services to federal agencies?

Diverse Computing, Inc. has a history of providing IT services to various government entities. A review of federal procurement data indicates past awards for software development, system integration, and IT support. Specific to the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module, it is crucial to assess their performance on prior contracts involving similar complex systems. Their experience with the specific technologies or modules used in the Eagent system would be a key indicator of their capability. Evaluating past performance reviews and any reported issues or successes on similar contracts would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in fulfilling the requirements of this new award.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or previous spending on this specific module's support?

The awarded amount of $22.95 million over approximately four years for the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module support and maintenance needs to be contextualized against historical spending and estimated values. Without prior contract data for this specific module, a direct comparison is difficult. However, if this is a new requirement or a re-competition, the current award can be benchmarked against similar IT support contracts for specialized government software. Factors such as the scope of work, service level agreements, and the complexity of the module would influence the price. If previous support was handled internally or by a different contractor, analyzing those costs would provide a baseline for assessing the current award's value.

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

Key risks for this contract include potential performance issues from the contractor, unforeseen technical challenges with the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module, and the possibility of cost overruns despite the firm fixed-price structure if scope creep occurs. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract oversight by the U.S. Secret Service, clearly defined performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs), and regular progress reviews. The firm fixed-price nature itself is a risk mitigation tool against cost escalation. Additionally, ensuring Diverse Computing, Inc. has adequate technical expertise and contingency plans for system failures would be critical to managing operational risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module under this new support contract?

The expected effectiveness of the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module hinges on the successful execution of the support and maintenance services by Diverse Computing, Inc. The contract aims to ensure the module remains operational, secure, and up-to-date, thereby supporting the critical functions it serves for the U.S. Secret Service. Effectiveness will be measured by adherence to SLAs, system uptime, response times to issues, and the successful implementation of any necessary updates or patches. The firm fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to deliver efficiently, contributing to the module's sustained effectiveness.

Are there any historical spending patterns related to the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module or similar systems that provide context for this award?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for the DCI Eagent JXI Wales Module, or comparable systems within the U.S. Secret Service or DHS, is crucial for contextualizing this $22.95 million award. If this module has been supported previously, examining the duration and cost of those contracts would reveal trends in maintenance expenses. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases in spending could indicate changes in system complexity, usage, or the effectiveness of prior support. Understanding these patterns helps assess whether the current award represents a reasonable investment or a potential deviation requiring further scrutiny.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3717 APALACHEE PKWY, TALLAHASSEE, FL, 32311

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,130

Exercised Options: $22,955

Current Obligation: $22,955

Actual Outlays: $16,959

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F359BA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline