DHS awards $7.75M engineering services contract to Maritech, LLC for 27-day U.S. Coast Guard project

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,750 ($7.8K)

Contractor: Maritech, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-28

Contract Duration: 27 days

Daily Burn Rate: $287/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WINDBIRD ALIGNMENT

Place of Performance

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

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $7,750.46 to MARITECH, LLC for work described as: WINDBIRD ALIGNMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type indicates a defined scope and cost, transferring risk to the contractor. 3. Short duration of 27 days points to a specific, potentially urgent, task or project phase. 4. Engineering services (NAICS 541330) are critical for infrastructure and operational support. 5. Awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard, highlighting a need within maritime security and operations. 6. No indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting, requiring further investigation into broader economic impact.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7.75 million for a 27-day engineering services project appears high on a daily basis. Benchmarking against similar short-duration, specialized engineering tasks is necessary to determine true value for money. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the overall cost-effectiveness depends on the complexity and criticality of the services rendered. Without more detail on the specific engineering services, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than sole-source or limited sources, but may not always reach the full breadth of the market. The number of bidders is not specified, but SAP aims to promote competition for procurements below certain thresholds. This method generally leads to better price discovery and value compared to non-competitive awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and technical solutions, leading to potentially lower costs and higher quality services than a sole-source award.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from specialized engineering expertise to support its maritime operations and infrastructure. The contract delivers essential engineering services, likely related to vessel design, maintenance, or operational systems. The geographic impact is centered in Maryland (ST: MD), where the contractor is located and services may be performed. The workforce implications involve skilled engineers and technical staff employed by Maritech, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope is not precisely defined within the firm fixed price.
Risk of contractor performance issues given the short, intense duration of the project.
Limited visibility into the specific engineering challenges being addressed without further documentation.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract transfers cost risk to the contractor.
Competition under SAP suggests an effort to obtain market-based pricing.
Award to a single contractor (no) implies a focused selection process.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector (NAICS 541330) is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, supporting various agencies with specialized technical expertise. This contract falls within a segment of the market focused on maritime engineering, likely supporting the U.S. Coast Guard's fleet and facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other engineering service contracts awarded by the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security for similar vessel or facility support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if Maritech, LLC is a small business itself or if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or pursued. Without specific set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Maritech actively engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Coast Guard's contracting and program management offices. As a Purchase Order awarded under SAP, it may have streamlined oversight compared to larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is dependent on the public availability of contract details beyond this summary. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

U.S. Coast Guard Ship and Boat Operations
Department of Homeland Security Engineering Support Contracts
Maritime Engineering Services
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures)

Risk Flags

Unusual contract value for Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)
High daily cost implication without detailed scope
Limited information on contractor past performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $7,750.46 to MARITECH, LLC. WINDBIRD ALIGNMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARITECH, LLC.

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 $7,750.46.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-28.

What specific engineering services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data identifies the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 541330, which corresponds to 'Engineering Services.' However, the specific nature of these services for the U.S. Coast Guard is not detailed. Given the maritime context, these could range from naval architecture and marine engineering for vessel design or modification, to structural engineering for port facilities, or systems engineering for operational technology. The short duration suggests a focused task, possibly a feasibility study, a specific design phase, a technical assessment, or support for an immediate operational requirement. Further documentation would be required to ascertain the precise scope of work.

How does the $7.75 million cost compare to similar engineering contracts for the U.S. Coast Guard?

Benchmarking this $7.75 million contract requires comparing it against similar engineering services procured by the U.S. Coast Guard or other maritime agencies. The contract's short 27-day duration makes a direct daily cost comparison potentially misleading without understanding the complexity and criticality of the services. If this represents a fixed price for a specific deliverable, the value is determined by the market rate for that deliverable. However, if it's an estimate for time and materials (though it's FFP), the daily rate would be approximately $287,000 ($7.75M / 27 days). This daily burn rate seems high and warrants scrutiny against industry standards for specialized engineering support, especially considering it was competed under SAP, which often targets lower-value procurements.

What are the potential risks associated with a 27-day firm fixed-price contract of this value?

A significant risk with a 27-day firm fixed-price (FFP) contract valued at $7.75 million is the potential for scope creep or unforeseen complexities that could strain the contractor's ability to deliver within budget and timeframe. While FFP transfers cost risk to the contractor, if the scope is not meticulously defined, the contractor might cut corners on quality or deliver incomplete work. Conversely, if the contractor underestimated the effort, they might face financial losses, potentially impacting their motivation or ability to perform optimally. The short duration also implies a high intensity, increasing the risk of errors or rushed work if not managed diligently by both the contractor and the U.S. Coast Guard.

What is the track record of Maritech, LLC in performing similar engineering services for the federal government?

Information regarding Maritech, LLC's specific track record with the federal government, particularly for U.S. Coast Guard engineering services, is not provided in the summary data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts. Understanding their experience with similar project scopes, complexity, and contract types (like FFP) would be crucial in evaluating their capability to successfully execute this $7.75 million award within the tight 27-day timeframe.

How does the use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) impact the overall value and competition for this contract?

Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are designed for procurements below certain dollar thresholds (currently $250,000, though some exceptions apply) to increase efficiency and reduce administrative burden. Awarding a $7.75 million contract under SAP, as indicated, is unusual and suggests either a specific exception was utilized or the data might be miscategorized. Typically, SAP aims to foster competition among a wider range of vendors, potentially leading to better pricing. However, the effectiveness depends on how broadly the opportunity was advertised within the SAP framework. If competition was robust, it likely contributed to achieving a fair market price. If competition was limited, the value proposition might be less certain.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70Z04026Q60739Y00

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 55 KNOX TRL STE 410, ACTON, MA, 01720

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,750

Exercised Options: $7,750

Current Obligation: $7,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline