DHS awards $16.8M for TIMAS Support to Unisys Corporation, impacting IT sector
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,858,660 ($16.9M)
Contractor: Unisys Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2007-09-26
End Date: 2013-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,013 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TIMAS SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 22311
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $16.9 million to UNISYS CORPORATION for work described as: TIMAS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $16.8M over 5.5 years. 2. Unisys Corporation is the sole awardee. 3. Potential risk in single-vendor reliance. 4. IT sector spending with a focus on facilities management.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $16.8M over 5.5 years averages approximately $3.06M annually. Benchmarking against similar IT facilities management contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the annual spend appears moderate.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This appears to be a sole-source award, indicated by 'AW' as 'DO' (Direct Order) and the absence of other bidders. Sole-source awards can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to competitive procurements.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these services.
Public Impact
Ensures continued IT infrastructure support for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Potential for service disruption if Unisys faces operational issues. Limited transparency into the necessity of a sole-source award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Potential vendor lock-in.
- Lack of detailed service scope for benchmarking.
Positive Signals
- Continuity of essential IT services.
- Established vendor relationship.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically Computer Facilities Management Services. The annual spend of approximately $3.06M is within the typical range for such services, though specific benchmarks depend on the scale and complexity of the facilities managed.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. The award was made to a large corporation, Unisys.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of Homeland Security to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Oversight would typically involve contract performance monitoring and financial reviews to ensure services are delivered as specified and within budget.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Facilities Management Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award.
- Lack of competition.
- Potential for higher costs.
- Vendor lock-in risk.
Tags
computer-facilities-management-services, department-of-homeland-security, va, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $16.9 million to UNISYS CORPORATION. TIMAS SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNISYS CORPORATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-09-26. End: 2013-03-31.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award (DO) is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies must document reasons such as urgency, unique capabilities, or lack of other sources. Without this documentation, it's difficult to assess if fair pricing was achieved through competitive means or if the pricing was negotiated effectively with the sole provider.
What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical IT facilities management services?
Sole-source reliance creates significant risks, including potential vendor lock-in, reduced negotiation leverage for future contracts, and vulnerability to service disruptions if the vendor experiences financial or operational difficulties. It also limits opportunities for innovation and cost savings that could arise from a competitive market.
How does the performance of TIMAS support by Unisys Corporation align with the operational needs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection?
The provided data focuses on the contract award details and does not include performance metrics or user feedback. Assessing alignment requires reviewing performance reports, user satisfaction surveys, and any documented instances of service failures or successes related to TIMAS support.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Contractor Details
Address: 11720 PLAZA AMERICA DR, RESTON, VA, 11
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,858,660
Exercised Options: $16,858,660
Current Obligation: $16,858,660
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC06D00023
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-09-26
Current End Date: 2013-03-31
Potential End Date: 2013-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-12-24
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