DHS Coast Guard awards $26.2M for office administrative services to DLS Engineering Associates Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,208,970 ($26.2M)

Contractor: DLS Engineering Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-01-01

End Date: 2010-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,915 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE/ENGINEERING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: CHESAPEAKE, CHESAPEAKE (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 23324

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $26.2 million to DLS ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE/ENGINEERING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative and engineering support services. 2. Services provided to the U.S. Coast Guard. 3. Contract duration spans over 5 years. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type indicates predictable costs. 5. Awarded under full and open competition. 6. Contractor is DLS Engineering Associates Inc.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $26.2 million over approximately 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific performance metrics or detailed breakdowns of services rendered, it is difficult to definitively benchmark the value for money. However, the firm fixed-price contract type can offer cost certainty. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of services and pricing against similar administrative support contracts awarded by other agencies or within DHS.

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 bids. The presence of multiple bidders, though the exact number is not specified, generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. This approach is typically favored for ensuring the government receives the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, driving down prices through competitive pressure and increasing the likelihood of selecting the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

Benefits the U.S. Coast Guard by providing essential administrative and engineering support. Ensures continuity of operations for critical Coast Guard functions. Supports administrative tasks that enable the Coast Guard's mission. Likely impacts administrative and engineering support staff within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
Scope of 'administrative/engineering services' is broad and could encompass varied tasks.
Limited information on specific deliverables and their impact.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Long-term contract (over 5 years) can indicate a stable need and established relationship.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on office administrative and engineering support. This sector is crucial for government operations, providing essential back-office functions and specialized technical expertise. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of delivering administrative and engineering support. Benchmarking would involve comparing this contract's value and scope to other similar administrative support contracts within federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The award to a prime contractor that is not a small business means that opportunities for small business participation would depend on the prime contractor's own subcontracting plan, if any.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available, though detailed performance reports may not be. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Administrative Support Services
Engineering Consulting Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
U.S. Coast Guard Procurement

Risk Flags

Broad service description may lead to scope ambiguity.
Performance quality dependent on contractor execution.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $26.2 million to DLS ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES INC. OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE/ENGINEERING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DLS ENGINEERING ASSOCIATES 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 $26.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-01-01. End: 2010-03-31.

What specific administrative and engineering services were included in this contract?

The provided data categorizes the contract under 'OFFICE ADMINISTRATIVE/ENGINEERING SERVICES' and NAICS code '561110' (Office Administrative Services). While the specific engineering disciplines are not detailed, it implies a range of support functions. These could include tasks such as general office management, record keeping, scheduling, human resources support, financial administration, and potentially specialized engineering support related to Coast Guard operations, such as technical documentation, project coordination, or basic design review. The broad nature of the description suggests a comprehensive support role rather than highly specialized, niche engineering.

How does the $26.2 million award compare to similar administrative support contracts?

Comparing the $26.2 million award requires context on the contract's duration and scope. Awarded over approximately 5 years (1915 days), this equates to an average annual value of roughly $5.24 million. This figure is moderate for large federal contracts. To assess value, it would need to be benchmarked against similar contracts for administrative and engineering support services awarded by the Department of Homeland Security or other agencies of comparable size and mission. Factors like the specific services, geographic location, and competition level influence pricing, making direct comparisons challenging without detailed service level agreements and performance data.

What is the track record of DLS Engineering Associates Inc. with federal contracts?

Information on DLS Engineering Associates Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data snippet. However, the award of a $26.2 million contract by the U.S. Coast Guard suggests a level of capability and experience deemed sufficient by the agency. To fully assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov would offer more comprehensive historical contract data for the company.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Potential risks include scope creep, where the services required expand beyond the original agreement, potentially leading to cost overruns if not managed carefully, despite the firm fixed-price structure. Performance risk is another factor; the contractor may not deliver services to the required standard, impacting Coast Guard operations. Given the broad description of 'administrative/engineering services,' there's a risk of misinterpretation of requirements or a mismatch between contractor capabilities and the agency's needs. Ensuring adequate oversight and clear communication channels are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type impact cost control and risk?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type is generally advantageous for cost control as it establishes a ceiling price that the contractor must adhere to, regardless of their actual costs. This shifts the cost risk primarily to the contractor. For the government, it provides budget certainty. However, if the scope of work is not clearly defined, the contractor may be incentivized to cut corners on quality to maintain profitability, or conversely, the government might have paid a premium upfront to account for the contractor's risk. Effective management and clear SOW are still essential.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar services by the U.S. Coast Guard or DHS?

The provided data snippet does not include historical spending patterns. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard or the broader Department of Homeland Security over previous fiscal years. Examining trends in spending for administrative and engineering support services would reveal whether this $26.2 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these types of services. It would also help identify key contractors and the typical contract values and durations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 804 INDUSTRIAL AVE STE H, CHESAPEAKE, VA, 90

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,083,399

Exercised Options: $27,083,399

Current Obligation: $26,208,970

Timeline