Coast Guard's $1.98M maintenance contract awarded to INALAB CONSULTING, INC. for C5ISC support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,975,662 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Inalab Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-07-28

End Date: 2025-07-27

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PLANNED MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES (PMSS) FOR THE U.S. COAST GUARD, C5ISC AT PORTSMOUTH, VA.

Place of Performance

Location: PORTSMOUTH, PORTSMOUTH CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23703

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.0 million to INALAB CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: PLANNED MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES (PMSS) FOR THE U.S. COAST GUARD, C5ISC AT PORTSMOUTH, VA. Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and 2-year duration. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract and established performance period. 4. Performance context involves essential C5ISC maintenance for the Coast Guard. 5. Sector positioning is within engineering services supporting critical government infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against similar IT maintenance and support contracts for federal agencies suggests the pricing is within a competitive range. The total value of approximately $1.98 million over two years indicates a moderate investment for specialized C5ISC support.

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 multiple vendors were likely invited to bid. The presence of 5 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard's C5ISC operations at Portsmouth, VA, will benefit from reliable maintenance. Essential command, control, communications, computers, and information systems will be supported. The geographic impact is localized to Portsmouth, Virginia, where the C5ISC facility is located. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the engineering services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if maintenance needs exceed initial estimates.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical C5ISC systems could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits cost overruns.
Clear performance period of two years provides defined expectations.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), which encompasses firms that provide engineering consulting and services. The market for IT infrastructure maintenance and support for government agencies is substantial, with significant spending allocated to ensuring the operational readiness of critical systems like those managed by the Coast Guard's C5ISC. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts often range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and criticality of the systems involved.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee, INALAB CONSULTING, INC., is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within this award. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the most competitive offer from the broader market, rather than specifically targeting small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard, a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price and timeframe. Transparency is facilitated through the federal procurement data system where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Coast Guard IT Modernization Programs
C5ISC Support Contracts
Federal Engineering Services Procurement
Department of Homeland Security IT Services

Risk Flags

Contractor performance risk
Technical complexity of C5ISC systems
Potential for scope creep

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.0 million to INALAB CONSULTING, INC.. PLANNED MAINTENANCE SUPPORT SERVICES (PMSS) FOR THE U.S. COAST GUARD, C5ISC AT PORTSMOUTH, VA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INALAB CONSULTING, 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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-28. End: 2025-07-27.

What is INALAB CONSULTING, INC.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Coast Guard?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that INALAB CONSULTING, INC. has a history of receiving federal contracts. While specific details on past performance with the U.S. Coast Guard or DHS are not provided in this summary, their ability to win this contract suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability. Further analysis would involve examining their contract history for similar services, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or successes on previous government engagements to fully assess their track record.

How does the $1.98 million contract value compare to similar IT maintenance and support contracts for federal agencies?

The $1.98 million contract value for two years of C5ISC maintenance support for the U.S. Coast Guard is considered moderate within the federal IT services landscape. Similar contracts for specialized IT support, network maintenance, and system sustainment for agencies like the Department of Defense or other homeland security components can range from several hundred thousand to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope, criticality, and duration. This contract's value appears aligned with the provision of essential support services for a specific facility's command and control systems over a defined period.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues by the contractor, leading to disruptions in C5ISC operations, and the possibility of unforeseen technical challenges requiring additional resources. Mitigation strategies are in place through the firm fixed-price contract structure, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. The defined two-year period and the competitive award process also contribute to risk mitigation by ensuring a clear scope and a vetted provider. The U.S. Coast Guard's oversight and potential for contract remedies further address performance risks.

How effective is the current C5ISC maintenance support likely to be given the contract details?

The effectiveness of the C5ISC maintenance support is likely to be good, given the contract's structure and the competitive award. The firm fixed-price nature encourages efficient service delivery, and the two-year duration allows for consistent support. The fact that it was awarded through full and open competition with five bids suggests that capable providers were available and selected. However, actual effectiveness will ultimately depend on the contractor's execution, the clarity of the SOW, and the Coast Guard's ongoing oversight and performance management.

What are the historical spending patterns for C5ISC maintenance support within the U.S. Coast Guard or similar agencies?

Historical spending on C5ISC maintenance and support within the U.S. Coast Guard and similar federal agencies typically represents a significant portion of IT budgets. Agencies allocate substantial funds to ensure the continuous operation of critical command, control, communications, and information systems. Spending patterns often show a steady demand for sustainment services, with fluctuations driven by modernization efforts, system upgrades, or changes in operational requirements. This $1.98 million contract aligns with the ongoing need for such specialized support services to maintain readiness.

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

Solicitation ID: 70Z04423RESD20028

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Inalab Consulting Inc.

Address: 3949 PENDER DR, SUITE 150, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,074,185

Exercised Options: $1,975,662

Current Obligation: $1,975,662

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 12

Total Subaward Amount: $987,668

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D8135

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline