DHS awards $11.4M competitive delivery order to Global Computer Enterprises for IT services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,393,361 ($11.4M)

Contractor: Global Computer Enterprises, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-09-28

End Date: 2007-08-15

Contract Duration: 686 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FCOM (FPD&CIMS) RECOMPETE (1 BASE YEAR PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20593

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $11.4 million to GLOBAL COMPUTER ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: FCOM (FPD&CIMS) RECOMPETE (1 BASE YEAR PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for price discovery. 2. Fixed-price contract type may limit cost overruns for the government. 3. The contract duration of 686 days (approx. 2 years) is relatively short-term. 4. Awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard, indicating a focus on maritime and homeland security IT needs. 5. The contract is a delivery order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 6. No small business set-aside indicated, suggesting it was competed broadly.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $11.4 million delivery order is challenging without knowing the specific IT services rendered and the contract's place within a larger IDIQ. However, the fixed-price nature is a positive indicator for cost control. The relatively short duration of approximately two years suggests it might be for a specific project or a bridge to a more comprehensive solution. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and comparing it to similar IT service contracts within DHS or the broader federal government.

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 likely competed under a broader IDIQ contract. The term 'competitive' suggests that multiple vendors were invited to bid on this specific order. The level of competition for the underlying IDIQ vehicle would provide a clearer picture of price discovery. However, a competitive delivery order generally implies that the government sought the best value among eligible bidders for this particular requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process for this delivery order is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more favorable price compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. It ensures that multiple vendors had the opportunity to offer their services, fostering a more efficient market.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard benefits from the IT services provided, likely supporting its operational and administrative functions. Personnel within the Coast Guard will utilize the IT systems and services, potentially improving efficiency and effectiveness. The geographic impact is likely global, given the 'GLOBAL COMPUTER ENTERPRISES, INC.' name, but specific deployment details are not provided. The contract supports the federal IT workforce, potentially involving contractor personnel in delivering these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to assess if the $11.4M represents optimal value.
The short duration might indicate a temporary solution or a need for frequent re-competition, potentially increasing administrative burden.
Without knowing the specific IT services, it's hard to gauge the contractor's performance history on similar complex tasks.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, which generally leads to better pricing and service.
Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it aligns with an existing, potentially pre-vetted, contracting vehicle.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology sector, specifically for IT services. The federal IT services market is vast, with agencies consistently procuring solutions for infrastructure, software development, cybersecurity, and data management. The U.S. Coast Guard, as part of the Department of Homeland Security, has significant IT requirements to support its diverse missions, including maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement. This contract likely represents a portion of the Coast Guard's overall IT spending, which is benchmarked against the broader federal IT procurement landscape.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests the competition was open to all eligible large and small businesses. While there's no direct indication of subcontracting requirements, large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized IT services. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to directly compete for this specific award were limited unless they were part of a larger bid.

Oversight & Accountability

As a competitive delivery order, oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officer and potentially program managers responsible for the IT services. Transparency is generally provided through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability is inherent in the fixed-price contract type, where the contractor is obligated to deliver specified services. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security IT Services
U.S. Coast Guard IT Modernization
Federal Civilian IT Procurement
Information Technology Professional Services

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Scope Definition Clarity
Performance Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $11.4 million to GLOBAL COMPUTER ENTERPRISES, INC.. FCOM (FPD&CIMS) RECOMPETE (1 BASE YEAR PLUS FOUR OPTION YEARS CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL COMPUTER ENTERPRISES, 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 $11.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-09-28. End: 2007-08-15.

What specific IT services were procured under this $11.4 million delivery order?

The provided data does not specify the exact IT services procured under this $11.4 million delivery order. It is identified as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' for 'FCOM (FPD&CIMS) RECOMPETE'. This suggests it relates to IT services, potentially encompassing areas like IT infrastructure, software development, maintenance, or support for specific systems used by the U.S. Coast Guard. To understand the precise services, one would need to consult the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS), which are not included in the provided data. These documents would detail the deliverables, technical requirements, and performance standards expected from Global Computer Enterprises, Inc.

How does the $11.4 million award compare to other IT service contracts awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard or DHS?

Comparing this $11.4 million delivery order requires context regarding the scope and duration of other contracts. The U.S. Coast Guard and DHS procure a wide range of IT services, from small, project-specific task orders to large, multi-year IDIQ contracts worth hundreds of millions or billions of dollars. This $11.4 million award, for a period of approximately two years (686 days), appears to be a mid-sized award for a specific requirement. For instance, larger contracts might cover enterprise-wide software licenses, major system modernizations, or comprehensive cybersecurity solutions. Smaller awards could be for specific hardware installations or short-term technical support. Without knowing the specific services and comparing it to contracts of similar scope and duration, a precise benchmark is difficult, but it represents a significant investment for a defined IT service need.

What is the track record of Global Computer Enterprises, Inc. with the federal government, particularly DHS?

Global Computer Enterprises, Inc. (GCE) has a history of federal contracting. While the provided data shows this specific award from the U.S. Coast Guard (part of DHS), a comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve reviewing their entire federal contract history. This includes examining past performance on similar contracts, any awards or penalties, contract modifications, and client feedback if available through sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). GCE has been awarded numerous contracts across various agencies, indicating experience in the federal IT space. However, the success and value derived from those contracts can vary, and a deeper dive into their performance on contracts of comparable size and complexity to this $11.4 million award would be necessary for a full evaluation.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, given its competitive nature and fixed-price structure?

The primary risks associated with this competitive, fixed-price delivery order are relatively moderate but still present. For the government, the main risk in a fixed-price contract is that the contractor might cut corners on quality or service to maintain profitability if costs exceed expectations, although performance metrics should mitigate this. Given the competitive award, the risk of paying an excessively high price is reduced. However, risks can arise if the scope of work was not clearly defined, leading to disputes over deliverables or change orders. For the contractor, the risk lies in underestimating the effort required or encountering unforeseen technical challenges, which could lead to reduced profit margins or even a loss on the contract. The relatively short duration (approx. 2 years) also introduces a risk of needing to re-compete or transition services sooner rather than later.

How has federal spending on IT services like those potentially procured here evolved over the years?

Federal spending on IT services has consistently been a significant portion of the overall federal budget, driven by the increasing reliance on technology for government operations, national security, and citizen services. Over the years, there has been a trend towards modernizing legacy systems, enhancing cybersecurity, migrating to cloud-based solutions, and leveraging data analytics. Agencies like DHS and its components, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, are major IT spenders. Spending patterns reflect evolving technological landscapes, such as the rise of AI, big data, and advanced networking. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on agency priorities and budget allocations, the overall trajectory shows sustained and often increasing investment in IT to meet mission demands and improve efficiency, despite efforts to control costs through consolidation and shared services.

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 19201 PLUMMER DR, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20876

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,590,226

Exercised Options: $11,393,361

Current Obligation: $11,393,361

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0426K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline