DHS Coast Guard awards $2M contract for AWS to PENS migration, highlighting IT modernization needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,001,920 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Four Points Technology, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ALERT WARNING SYSTEM (AWS) MIGRATION TO DHS PERSONNEL EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (PENS)

Place of Performance

Location: KEARNEYSVILLE, JEFFERSON County, WEST VIRGINIA, 25430

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.0 million to FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C. for work described as: ALERT WARNING SYSTEM (AWS) MIGRATION TO DHS PERSONNEL EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (PENS) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical IT infrastructure modernization for emergency notifications. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding environment. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and manage financial risk. 4. Performance period aligns with the end of the fiscal year 2026. 5. The contract is for 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad IT category. 6. The award value is modest, suggesting a focused scope or phased approach.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for a system migration and upgrade. Benchmarking against similar IT service contracts for notification systems or cloud migrations of this scope would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government in managing cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition framework suggests multiple entities had the opportunity to bid, which typically fosters price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of potential providers to offer their services, leading to potentially lower prices and better value.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard will benefit from an upgraded and potentially more reliable personnel emergency notification system. This contract supports the delivery of essential IT services for national security and operational readiness. The geographic impact is primarily within the U.S. Coast Guard's operational areas, with potential implications for personnel safety nationwide. The contract supports the IT workforce involved in system migration, maintenance, and operation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if migration complexities are underestimated.
Dependence on contractor expertise for successful system integration.
Risk of disruption to existing emergency notification capabilities during migration.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract mitigates cost overrun risks.
Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these services.
Clear performance period provides defined timelines for delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically focusing on IT services related to system migration and emergency notification platforms. The market for such services is substantial, driven by ongoing digital transformation efforts across federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for cloud migrations, software development, and IT infrastructure upgrades, particularly those involving critical communication systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. This suggests the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist depending on the prime contractor's strategy, but they are not mandated by the contract terms provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services by the end date. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award notice, but further details on performance metrics and reporting would be needed for a comprehensive assessment.

Related Government Programs

DHS Personnel Emergency Notification System (PENS)
Alert Warning System (AWS)
IT Modernization Programs
Cloud Migration Services
Federal Emergency Communication Systems

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption during migration
Data integrity during transfer
User adoption of new system
Interoperability with existing systems
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities during transition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.0 million to FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.. ALERT WARNING SYSTEM (AWS) MIGRATION TO DHS PERSONNEL EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (PENS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, 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 $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C. with similar IT migration and notification system contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C. with similar IT migration and emergency notification system contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and client references for this vendor, particularly concerning projects of comparable complexity and scale within federal or state government. Understanding their experience with migrating legacy systems to modern cloud-based platforms and ensuring seamless transitions for critical communication services would be key indicators of their capability and reliability for this DHS Coast Guard contract.

How does the $2 million award value compare to similar AWS to PENS migration projects within the federal government?

The $2 million award value for the AWS to PENS migration by the U.S. Coast Guard is a moderate figure for an IT system migration. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against similar contracts awarded to other federal agencies for migrating alert and warning systems or personnel notification platforms to cloud environments. Factors such as the scope of services (e.g., data migration, system integration, user training, ongoing support), the number of users supported, and the complexity of the existing and target systems would influence cost. Without specific comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent or fair value, but it suggests a focused or phased approach rather than a large-scale enterprise-wide overhaul.

What are the primary risks associated with migrating from AWS to PENS for the U.S. Coast Guard?

The primary risks associated with migrating from the Alert Warning System (AWS) to the Personnel Emergency Notification System (PENS) for the U.S. Coast Guard include potential service disruptions during the transition, data integrity issues during migration, and user adoption challenges. Ensuring the new PENS is fully interoperable with existing Coast Guard communication infrastructure and meets all security requirements is critical. There's also a risk of underestimating the complexity of the migration, leading to schedule delays or cost overruns, despite the firm-fixed-price contract. Ensuring the contractor, FOUR POINTS TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C., has robust contingency plans and experienced personnel is vital to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the U.S. Coast Guard's operational effectiveness and personnel safety?

This contract is expected to significantly enhance the U.S. Coast Guard's operational effectiveness and personnel safety by modernizing its emergency notification capabilities. A more robust and reliable Personnel Emergency Notification System (PENS) ensures that critical alerts and information can be disseminated quickly and efficiently to all relevant personnel during emergencies, operational changes, or safety-related events. This improved communication flow can lead to faster response times, better coordination, and ultimately, a reduction in risks to personnel and assets. The migration from the existing AWS aims to leverage updated technology for greater reliability and potentially broader reach.

How has federal spending on IT modernization and emergency communication systems evolved in recent years?

Federal spending on IT modernization and emergency communication systems has seen a consistent upward trend over recent years, driven by mandates for digital transformation, cybersecurity enhancements, and the need for resilient communication infrastructure. Agencies are increasingly moving away from legacy systems towards cloud-based solutions and integrated platforms to improve efficiency, scalability, and security. Funding for emergency notification systems, in particular, remains a priority due to their critical role in public safety and national security. This contract aligns with the broader federal strategy to upgrade aging IT systems and enhance agency-wide communication capabilities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14900 CONFERENCE CENTER DR STE 100, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,165,577

Exercised Options: $2,001,920

Current Obligation: $2,001,920

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RDAD23D00000008

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline