DHS's $21M IT contract for law enforcement information sharing awarded to Science Applications International Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,995,613 ($21.0M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-09-29

End Date: 2014-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,644 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)

Sector: IT

Official Description: IT DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION SHARING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20536

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $21.0 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: IT DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION SHARING SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of IT development and operations maintenance. 2. Competition dynamics for this delivery order were not fully detailed, but the initial award was competitive. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, primarily related to the long-term operational maintenance of critical IT systems. 4. Performance context suggests a focus on maintaining and enhancing information sharing capabilities for law enforcement. 5. This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer facilities management. 6. The duration of the contract (over 4 years) indicates a need for sustained IT support and development.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of approximately $21 million over roughly 4.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend for IT development and operations maintenance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale IT infrastructure and services would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the nature of IT operations and maintenance often involves significant recurring costs, making this figure plausible for a contract of this scope and duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that it was competed among multiple bidders. The presence of multiple bidders suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The specific number of bidders for this particular delivery order is not detailed, but the competitive nature implies that the government sought the best value through a structured procurement process.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives services at a fair market price, avoiding potential overspending associated with sole-source or limited competition contracts.

Public Impact

Law enforcement agencies benefit from enhanced information sharing capabilities, improving operational effectiveness. The contract delivers IT development and ongoing maintenance services for critical law enforcement information systems. The geographic impact is national, supporting federal law enforcement operations across the United States. Workforce implications include the need for skilled IT professionals in development, operations, and maintenance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if transition planning is inadequate at contract end.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical IT infrastructure could pose operational risks.
Ensuring continuous alignment with evolving law enforcement information sharing needs requires proactive management.

Positive Signals

The competitive award process suggests a focus on achieving best value.
The contract duration indicates a stable environment for IT service delivery.
The focus on information sharing aligns with critical national security and public safety objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically under Computer Facilities Management Services. The IT services market is vast and highly competitive, with significant government spending allocated to maintaining and upgrading federal IT infrastructure. Contracts like this are crucial for enabling agencies to manage and share data effectively, supporting their core missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large-scale IT operations and maintenance contracts within federal law enforcement and homeland security agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. The prime contractor, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large business. Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is likely minimal. However, large prime contractors often engage small businesses as subcontractors, so there may be indirect opportunities, though these are not detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracting officers and program managers within the Department of Homeland Security. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's performance work statement, including service level agreements and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics and specific oversight activities are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Law Enforcement Information Sharing Programs
Homeland Security IT Modernization Efforts
Federal Data Management Systems
National Criminal Intelligence Sharing Plan

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may require careful management to ensure continued relevance and value.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical IT infrastructure can pose risks.
Cybersecurity of sensitive law enforcement data is a paramount concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $21.0 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. IT DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION SHARING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-29. End: 2014-03-31.

What was the specific nature of the IT development and operations maintenance provided under this contract?

The contract focused on IT Development and Operations Maintenance for the Law Enforcement Information Sharing Services. This likely encompassed a range of activities including software development, system integration, network management, database administration, cybersecurity, and ongoing technical support for systems used by law enforcement agencies to share critical information. The goal was to ensure the reliability, security, and functionality of these vital information-sharing platforms, enabling seamless data exchange among various law enforcement entities.

How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar IT services contracts within DHS or other federal agencies?

The contract's total value of approximately $21 million over roughly 1644 days (about 4.5 years) averages to about $4.6 million per year. This annual figure is moderate for large-scale IT development and operations maintenance contracts, especially those supporting critical national infrastructure like law enforcement information sharing. Benchmarking against similar contracts within DHS or other agencies for IT operations, system maintenance, and development would reveal if this represents a competitive rate. Factors such as the complexity of the systems, security requirements, and the scope of services (e.g., 24/7 support) significantly influence cost, making direct comparisons challenging without detailed service level agreements.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) established for this contract?

While specific KPIs and SLAs are not detailed in the provided data, typical performance indicators for IT Development and Operations Maintenance contracts include system uptime percentages, response times for technical support, data security compliance rates, successful deployment of new features or updates, and adherence to project timelines. For law enforcement information sharing, metrics related to data accuracy, accessibility, and the speed of information dissemination would also be critical. The contracting agency (ICE) would have established these metrics to ensure the contractor met the required service levels and delivered effective operational support.

What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in delivering similar IT services to federal agencies?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a long and extensive track record of delivering a wide range of IT services, including development, operations, and maintenance, to numerous federal agencies, including defense, intelligence, and civilian departments. They are a major government contractor known for handling complex, large-scale IT programs. Their experience typically includes managing critical infrastructure, cybersecurity solutions, and data management systems. While specific performance on this particular contract would require a deeper dive into past performance reviews, SAIC's general profile suggests they possess the capabilities and experience necessary for such a contract.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with the performance of this contract during its lifecycle?

Potential risks and challenges for a contract of this nature often include evolving technological landscapes requiring continuous adaptation, cybersecurity threats targeting sensitive law enforcement data, ensuring seamless integration with other government systems, managing scope creep, and maintaining high availability for critical services. Given the duration of the contract (2009-2014), challenges might have included adapting to new federal IT mandates, ensuring data privacy compliance, and managing the transition of services or technologies. The success of the contract would depend on effective risk mitigation strategies employed by both the contractor and the government.

How has spending on law enforcement information sharing IT services evolved within DHS since this contract was awarded?

Spending on law enforcement information sharing IT services within DHS has likely evolved significantly since this contract's period (2009-2014). Post-2014, there has been a continued emphasis on cybersecurity, cloud adoption, data analytics, and interoperability across different law enforcement and intelligence agencies. DHS has invested heavily in modernizing its IT infrastructure to enhance threat detection, border security, and emergency response capabilities. This includes initiatives like the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) and various data fusion platforms, often involving competitive procurements for development, integration, and sustainment services, potentially with different contracting vehicles and technological approaches.

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSCETC-09-R-00026

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,372,752

Exercised Options: $21,697,901

Current Obligation: $20,995,613

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC06D00026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline