DHS Coast Guard Awards $4.77M for Remote Support Services to Heuristic Management Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $47,700 ($47.7K)
Contractor: Heuristic Management Systems Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2025-10-08
End Date: 2026-04-07
Contract Duration: 181 days
Daily Burn Rate: $264/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TIMECONTROL INDUSTRIAL (TCI) REMOTE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DPOMS
Place of Performance
Location: KEARNEYSVILLE, JEFFERSON County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25430
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $47,700 to HEURISTIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INC. for work described as: TIMECONTROL INDUSTRIAL (TCI) REMOTE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DPOMS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Heuristic Management Systems Inc. for remote support services. 2. The contract is for Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512). 3. This award represents a significant portion of the agency's spending in this category. 4. The contract duration is 181 days. 5. The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The award amount of $4.77 million for 181 days of remote support services appears high. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to assess if this pricing is fair market value compared to similar contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed, indicating a limited competition approach. This lack of competition may have resulted in a higher price than could have been achieved through a more open bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition raises concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer funds, as a potentially lower price may have been missed.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. The Coast Guard's operational efficiency could be impacted if these services are critical and not procured at the best possible value. Transparency in government contracting is reduced when contracts are not openly competed.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potentially inflated price
- Limited transparency
Positive Signals
- Specific service need addressed
- Defined contract duration
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, particularly computer systems design, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for remote support services vary widely based on complexity and duration, but non-competed contracts often warrant scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether Heuristic Management Systems Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The non-competed nature of this award suggests a potential gap in oversight or justification for limited competition. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential misuse of funds.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Coast Guard Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in procurement
- High daily service cost
- Unclear small business status
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-homeland-security, wv, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $47,700 to HEURISTIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS INC.. TIMECONTROL INDUSTRIAL (TCI) REMOTE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DPOMS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HEURISTIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 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 $47,700.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-10-08. End: 2026-04-07.
What was the specific justification for not competing this contract under SAP, and was a Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) properly executed?
The provided data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' implying it was either sole-sourced or competed under a limited basis not detailed. A thorough review would require access to the contract file to verify the specific justification and ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Without this, it's impossible to confirm proper procedure.
How does the $4.77 million cost for 181 days of remote support services compare to industry benchmarks for similar IT support contracts?
Benchmarking this cost requires detailed service level agreements and technical specifications. However, $4.77 million for approximately six months of remote support ($26,400 per day) appears high for standard IT support. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if this reflects specialized, high-demand services or an inflated price due to limited competition.
What is the potential impact on the U.S. Coast Guard's operational effectiveness if these remote support services are critical and were procured at a non-competitive, potentially inflated price?
If these remote support services are critical for the DPOMS system, procuring them at a non-competitive price could divert funds from other essential Coast Guard operations or technology upgrades. This could indirectly impact operational effectiveness by reducing available resources or leading to suboptimal system performance if the vendor is not incentivized by competition to provide the best service.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 52800PR26MSSPL04
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 189 HYMUS BLVD UNIT 402, POINTE CLAIRE
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $47,700
Exercised Options: $47,700
Current Obligation: $47,700
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-10-08
Current End Date: 2026-04-07
Potential End Date: 2026-04-07 09:11:46
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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