DHS Coast Guard Awards $14.9M for Tiger Team Support, Lacking Small Business Participation
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $14,934,488 ($14.9M)
Contractor: Potomac Management Group, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2004-05-28
End Date: 2007-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,037 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: TIGER TEAM SUPPORT AT REGIONAL EXAM CENTERS
Place of Performance
Location: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.9 million to POTOMAC MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC. for work described as: TIGER TEAM SUPPORT AT REGIONAL EXAM CENTERS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Potomac Management Group, Inc. for $14.9M. 2. Full and open competition was utilized. 3. The contract duration was 1037 days. 4. No small business participation was reported. 5. The NAICS code indicates Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $14.9M over approximately 3 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the price appears within a reasonable range for specialized support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. The use of a Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the competitive bidding process, which aims to secure the best value for the $14.9M expenditure on R&D support services.
Public Impact
The contract supports the U.S. Coast Guard's regional exam centers, potentially impacting operational efficiency and safety. Research and Development in social sciences and humanities can lead to policy improvements and better understanding of complex issues. The lack of small business involvement may limit opportunities for smaller, specialized firms in this sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Firm Fixed Price contract
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities (NAICS 541720). Spending in this sector can vary widely, but contracts for specialized support services like this are common across federal agencies.
Small Business Impact
The contract explicitly states no small business participation (SB=false). This indicates that opportunities were not specifically set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor is not a small business.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard). Oversight would typically involve contract management by the contracting officer and performance monitoring by the technical point of contact.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Coast Guard Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of small business participation
- Long contract duration (1037 days)
- Limited detail on specific services provided
- No indication of performance metrics or outcomes
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-social-s, department-of-homeland-security, dc, po, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.9 million to POTOMAC MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC.. TIGER TEAM SUPPORT AT REGIONAL EXAM CENTERS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is POTOMAC MANAGEMENT GROUP, 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 $14.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-05-28. End: 2007-03-31.
What specific R&D activities were performed under this contract, and how did they contribute to the Coast Guard's mission?
The contract description 'TIGER TEAM SUPPORT AT REGIONAL EXAM CENTERS' suggests the R&D likely focused on improving examination processes, identifying vulnerabilities, or developing new methodologies for the Coast Guard's regional centers. The specific outputs and their direct contribution to mission effectiveness would require further detail on the 'Tiger Team's' objectives and findings.
Given the full and open competition, were there any concerns about the pricing or the selection of Potomac Management Group, Inc.?
While full and open competition is generally a positive indicator for price discovery, the provided data does not include details on the number of bids received or the evaluation criteria. Without this information, it's difficult to assess if the pricing was truly competitive or if there were any concerns regarding the selection process beyond the stated competition type.
What is the long-term impact of awarding a nearly 3-year contract without small business involvement on the small business industrial base?
Awarding significant contracts without small business set-asides can limit the growth and experience opportunities for small businesses in specialized R&D fields. This practice, if widespread, could potentially hinder the development of a robust small business ecosystem capable of supporting future government needs in this sector.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ATS Corporation (UEI: 785561809)
Address: 510 KING ST STE 200, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 08
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,934,488
Exercised Options: $14,934,488
Current Obligation: $14,934,488
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-05-28
Current End Date: 2007-03-31
Potential End Date: 2007-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2010-09-20
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