Air Force awards $20.17M for Emergency Mass Notification System, with 1095 days duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,171,996 ($20.2M)

Contractor: American Systems Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-12-15

End Date: 2026-12-14

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EMERGENCY MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (EMNS)

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.2 million to AMERICAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION for work described as: EMERGENCY MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (EMNS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to American Systems Corporation for a critical emergency notification system. 2. The contract utilizes a firm-fixed-price structure, indicating clear cost expectations. 3. Full and open competition was employed, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The system is designated for the Department of the Air Force, highlighting its strategic importance. 5. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) allows for sustained service delivery. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 points to specialized computer-related services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $20.17 million over three years for an Emergency Mass Notification System appears reasonable, especially considering the critical nature of the service. Benchmarking against similar large-scale notification systems, which can range from several million to tens of millions depending on scope and features, suggests this award is within a typical range. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bidders, but the use of full and open competition generally fosters a competitive environment, which is expected to lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. This approach maximizes the opportunity for diverse solutions to be considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of vendors to compete, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of the service provided for the Emergency Mass Notification System.

Public Impact

Personnel within the Department of the Air Force will benefit from enhanced emergency communication capabilities. The system will deliver critical alerts and notifications during emergencies, ensuring personnel safety and operational continuity. The geographic impact is likely widespread across Air Force installations where personnel are located. Workforce implications include the need for trained personnel to manage and operate the system, as well as ensuring all personnel are aware of and can utilize the notification system.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the system is highly proprietary and difficult to integrate with future technologies.
Ensuring the system's reliability and uptime is crucial for its effectiveness in emergency situations.
Data security and privacy concerns related to the collection and dissemination of personnel information for notification purposes.

Positive Signals

The use of full and open competition suggests a focus on obtaining the best value and technological solution.
A firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability for the Department of the Air Force.
The multi-year duration allows for stable service provision and potential for long-term system improvement.

Sector Analysis

The Emergency Mass Notification System (EMNS) falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically focusing on specialized computer-related services (NAICS 541519). This market is characterized by a demand for reliable, secure, and scalable communication platforms, particularly within government and large enterprise environments. Spending in this area is driven by the need for robust emergency preparedness and business continuity solutions. Comparable spending benchmarks can vary significantly based on the scale of deployment, features, and integration requirements, but multi-million dollar awards for comprehensive systems are common.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While this was a full and open competition, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans with small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether American Systems Corporation engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being made under full and open competition, with details often available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

DoD Emergency Communications Systems
Mass Notification Systems
IT Services for Defense Agencies
Air Force IT Procurement
Critical Infrastructure Protection Systems

Risk Flags

Cybersecurity Risk
System Reliability
Data Privacy Concerns
Integration Complexity
Vendor Lock-in Potential

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.2 million to AMERICAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION. EMERGENCY MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (EMNS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMERICAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-15. End: 2026-12-14.

What is the track record of American Systems Corporation in delivering similar emergency notification systems to government agencies?

American Systems Corporation has a history of providing IT and engineering solutions to government agencies, including the Department of Defense. While specific details on their past performance with Emergency Mass Notification Systems (EMNS) are not provided in this data snippet, their general experience suggests a capability to handle complex technical requirements. Further investigation into their contract history, past performance reviews, and client testimonials would be necessary to fully assess their track record specifically for EMNS. Government contract databases and past performance questionnaires are key resources for this type of analysis.

How does the awarded value of $20.17 million compare to other similar Emergency Mass Notification Systems procured by the federal government?

The awarded value of approximately $20.17 million over three years for an EMNS appears to be within a reasonable range for a large-scale government system. However, direct comparisons are challenging without knowing the specific scope, features, number of users, and geographic coverage required by the Air Force. Similar systems can range from a few million dollars for smaller deployments to tens of millions for enterprise-wide solutions with advanced capabilities like integration with various communication channels, real-time location services, and sophisticated analytics. The firm-fixed-price nature of this contract suggests a well-defined scope, which aids in value assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with the implementation and operation of this Emergency Mass Notification System?

Key risks include technical failures or system downtime, which could be critical during an actual emergency. Cybersecurity threats are also a significant concern, as the system handles sensitive personnel data and must be protected from breaches. Another risk is user adoption and effectiveness; ensuring all personnel are registered, receive notifications, and understand how to respond is crucial. Integration challenges with existing Air Force communication infrastructure could also pose a risk. Finally, the long-term viability and support of the chosen technology, and potential vendor lock-in, are also considerations.

How effective is the chosen Emergency Mass Notification System likely to be in fulfilling the Air Force's needs?

The effectiveness of the EMNS will depend heavily on the specific capabilities of the system procured from American Systems Corporation and how well it is implemented and managed. Given that it was awarded under full and open competition, it suggests a competitive selection process aimed at identifying a robust solution. The firm-fixed-price contract implies clear performance expectations. However, true effectiveness will be measured by its reliability during actual emergencies, its reach to all intended personnel, and its ability to provide timely and actionable information. Post-award performance monitoring and user feedback will be critical indicators.

What are the historical spending patterns for Emergency Mass Notification Systems within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending on Emergency Mass Notification Systems within the Department of Defense (DoD) has been substantial and is likely to be ongoing, reflecting the critical need for robust communication capabilities across various branches. While specific aggregate data for EMNS is not readily available in this snippet, the DoD consistently invests in communication, IT, and security infrastructure. Spending trends are influenced by evolving threats, technological advancements, and the need to standardize systems across different commands and installations. Awards for such systems often fall into the multi-million dollar range, with contracts varying in duration and scope.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the cybersecurity posture of the Air Force?

This contract has a direct impact on the Air Force's cybersecurity posture. An Emergency Mass Notification System, by its nature, will likely handle a significant amount of personal data and requires secure transmission channels. The effectiveness of the system's cybersecurity measures will be paramount. Risks include potential vulnerabilities in the software or network infrastructure that could be exploited by adversaries. Conversely, a well-designed and securely implemented system can enhance the Air Force's ability to communicate critical security information during cyber incidents, thereby improving overall resilience. Rigorous security testing and ongoing monitoring are essential.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14151 PARK MEADOW DR STE 500, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $67,295,902

Exercised Options: $29,508,251

Current Obligation: $20,171,996

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $13,075,442

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W52P1J18DA091

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline