DHS awards $11.6M for technical information management support to Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,633,952 ($11.6M)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-02-14

End Date: 2028-02-13

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TECHNICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES DIVISION (ESD)

Place of Performance

Location: CURTIS BAY, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21226

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $11.6 million to CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C. for work described as: TECHNICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES DIVISION (ESD) Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price. 4. Engineering services are a critical component of the U.S. Coast Guard's operational support. 5. The award to Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C. represents a significant investment in technical support. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $11.6 million over five years for technical information management support appears reasonable given the scope of engineering services required by the U.S. Coast Guard. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT and engineering support services within the Department of Homeland Security suggests that this award falls within expected spending ranges for such specialized technical assistance. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, which is a positive indicator of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this procurement method generally fosters robust competition, which is expected to lead to competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors. The exclusion of sources clause might suggest specific technical requirements that narrowed the field, but the primary mechanism was open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for receiving the best value through a competitive bidding process, driving down costs and ensuring a high standard of service delivery.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from enhanced technical information management, crucial for its engineering operations. Services delivered will support the Engineering Services Division, ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of engineering projects. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting the Coast Guard's broad operational mandate. Workforce implications include the potential for employment opportunities within Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C. and its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders limits a full assessment of competitive intensity.
The duration of the contract (5 years) could lead to potential cost increases if market conditions change significantly.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause warrants further investigation to understand if it unduly restricted competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a commitment to competitive sourcing.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The contract supports critical engineering services for a vital national agency (USCG).

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector is a significant component of government contracting, encompassing a wide range of specialized technical support. This contract falls within the broader IT and professional services categories, reflecting the increasing reliance on technical expertise for complex government operations. Comparable spending benchmarks for engineering and technical support services within federal agencies often range from millions to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and duration. The U.S. Coast Guard's consistent need for such services underscores the importance of this sector for maintaining operational readiness and infrastructure.

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 small business set-aside. The prime contractor, Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C., is likely a large business, and their subcontracting plans, if any, would need to be assessed separately to understand their impact on small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services at an agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security may also conduct audits or investigations as deemed necessary to ensure proper use of funds and contract compliance.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security IT Support Services
U.S. Coast Guard Engineering Support Contracts
Federal Professional Services Contracts
Technical Information Management Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to the nature of technical information management.
Contractor performance risk if specialized technical skills are not maintained.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical engineering support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $11.6 million to CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C.. TECHNICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES DIVISION (ESD)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C..

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 $11.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-14. End: 2028-02-13.

What is the track record of Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C. in performing similar technical information management and engineering support services for federal agencies?

Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C. has a history of performing various support services for federal agencies, including IT, engineering, and program management. While specific details on past performance for this exact type of technical information management support are not detailed in the provided data, their portfolio often includes complex project execution. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any reported issues or successes on similar contracts would be necessary to fully assess their capability and reliability for this specific requirement. Federal procurement data and agency performance evaluations are key resources for this analysis.

How does the awarded amount of $11.6 million compare to similar technical information management support contracts within the Department of Homeland Security or the U.S. Coast Guard?

The $11.6 million award over five years for technical information management support for the U.S. Coast Guard's Engineering Services Division appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized federal IT and engineering support. Without specific contract details for direct comparisons, general benchmarks for similar services within DHS and other agencies suggest that contracts of this nature, involving technical expertise and long-term support, can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract also suggests an effort to control costs, which is a positive factor when assessing value. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work, duration, and specific deliverables against other awarded contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed, contractor performance issues if technical expertise is lacking or resources are mismanaged, and potential cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price model does not adequately account for unforeseen complexities. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management by the U.S. Coast Guard, including clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and strong communication channels. The firm-fixed-price structure itself acts as a cost control mechanism. The contractor's own internal risk management processes and adherence to contractual obligations are also critical mitigation factors.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific technical information management support requirement?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. For technical information management support, FFP provides cost certainty to the government, shifting the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. This encourages the contractor to manage resources efficiently and control costs. However, if the technical requirements are complex or subject to frequent changes, an FFP contract could potentially lead to the contractor either overpricing the initial bid to cover contingencies or delivering a lower quality service to maintain profitability. The success of FFP here depends on the clarity and stability of the defined technical information management needs.

What is the historical spending pattern for technical information management support services within the U.S. Coast Guard's Engineering Services Division?

Historical spending patterns for technical information management support within the U.S. Coast Guard's Engineering Services Division would require access to detailed historical procurement data. This contract, valued at $11.6 million over five years, suggests a consistent annual spend of approximately $2.32 million. To understand the broader pattern, one would need to analyze previous contracts awarded for similar services, their values, durations, and the number of contractors involved. This analysis would reveal trends in outsourcing, technology adoption, and the overall investment in engineering support infrastructure by the Coast Guard over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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

Parent Company: Cherokee Nation

Address: 2 W 2ND ST STE 1500-28, TULSA, OK, 74103

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,476,445

Exercised Options: $11,855,065

Current Obligation: $11,633,952

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS110

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline