DHS Coast Guard awards $2.55M for Babel Street OSINT Software, highlighting a competitive procurement
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $255,000 ($255.0K)
Contractor: Panamerica Computers, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2025-05-11
End Date: 2026-11-10
Contract Duration: 548 days
Daily Burn Rate: $465/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: OSINT SOFTWARE LICENSE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES BRAND NAME BABEL STREET
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20573
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $255,000 to PANAMERICA COMPUTERS, INC. for work described as: OSINT SOFTWARE LICENSE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES BRAND NAME BABEL STREET Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.55 million for OSINT software is significant for this niche market. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate process. 3. Potential risks include vendor lock-in and the evolving nature of OSINT technology. 4. The IT sector, specifically data analytics and intelligence, is the relevant domain.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.55 million for a 548-day duration appears reasonable for specialized OSINT software. Benchmarking against similar intelligence software licenses would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The procurement utilized 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while sources were initially excluded, the final award was made through open competition. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to the best solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers are likely receiving fair value for the specialized OSINT software.
Public Impact
Enhances intelligence gathering capabilities for the U.S. Coast Guard. Supports national security objectives by providing access to open-source intelligence. The software likely aids in monitoring and analyzing global information for threats.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Reliance on a specific brand name (Babel Street) could limit future flexibility.
- The effectiveness of OSINT tools can be highly dependent on data sources and analytical capabilities.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a fair process.
- The contract duration provides stable access to critical intelligence capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on data analytics and intelligence software. Spending benchmarks for similar OSINT or data fusion platforms can vary widely based on features and scale.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard are responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms should ensure accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Coast Guard Programs
Risk Flags
- Brand name reliance
- Evolving technology landscape
- Data privacy and ethical considerations of OSINT
- Potential for vendor lock-in
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-homeland-security, dc, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $255,000 to PANAMERICA COMPUTERS, INC.. OSINT SOFTWARE LICENSE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES BRAND NAME BABEL STREET
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PANAMERICA COMPUTERS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $255,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-11. End: 2026-11-10.
What is the specific operational advantage gained by the U.S. Coast Guard through this Babel Street OSINT subscription?
The Babel Street platform likely provides the U.S. Coast Guard with advanced capabilities to collect, analyze, and disseminate open-source intelligence from a vast array of global data sources. This can enhance situational awareness, support investigations, and inform strategic decision-making related to maritime security, illegal activities, and potential threats.
What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single-vendor OSINT solution like Babel Street?
The primary risks include potential vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to switch to alternative solutions in the future. There's also a risk that the vendor's technology may not keep pace with evolving threats or analytical needs, or that pricing could increase significantly upon renewal, impacting long-term cost-effectiveness for the agency.
How does this investment in OSINT software contribute to the overall effectiveness of the U.S. Coast Guard's mission?
This investment enhances the Coast Guard's effectiveness by providing critical intelligence for maritime domain awareness, counter-terrorism, drug interdiction, and search and rescue operations. Access to timely and comprehensive open-source information allows for proactive threat identification and response, ultimately supporting the agency's core missions more efficiently.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1386 BIG OAK RD, LURAY, VA, 22835
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $255,000
Exercised Options: $255,000
Current Obligation: $255,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD02B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-11
Current End Date: 2026-11-10
Potential End Date: 2026-11-10 09:45:49
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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