DHS FEMA awards $26.8M for Exercise Coordination Services to Obsidian Analysis, LLC under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,825,822 ($26.8M)
Contractor: Obsidian Analysis, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2012-09-29
End Date: 2017-05-28
Contract Duration: 1,702 days
Daily Burn Rate: $15.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: "IGF::OT::IGF" EXERCISE COORDINATION SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $26.8 million to OBSIDIAN ANALYSIS, LLC for work described as: "IGF::OT::IGF" EXERCISE COORDINATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Spending on exercise coordination services totals $26.8M over 5 years. 2. Obsidian Analysis, LLC secured the contract. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. The sector is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar contracts for exercise coordination services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. However, the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into why specific sources were excluded and its potential impact on price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for exercise coordination services, with the ultimate impact depending on the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided and the competitive nature of the award.
Public Impact
Ensures preparedness for potential emergencies through coordinated exercises. Supports the Department of Homeland Security's mission to secure the nation. Facilitates inter-agency communication and collaboration during critical events. Provides essential management consulting services for complex government operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources' clause.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for per-unit analysis.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Supports critical national security and emergency preparedness functions.
- Contract duration of over 4 years indicates a sustained need.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs for strategic planning, operational efficiency, and specialized support services like exercise coordination.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract or related subcontracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency. Oversight would typically involve contract performance monitoring, financial reviews, and ensuring adherence to the terms and conditions of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee agreement.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Unusual 'exclusion of sources' clause in an otherwise 'full and open' competition.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown for per-unit analysis.
- Potential for limited competition impacting price discovery.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-homeland-security, dc, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $26.8 million to OBSIDIAN ANALYSIS, LLC. "IGF::OT::IGF" EXERCISE COORDINATION SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is OBSIDIAN ANALYSIS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $26.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2012-09-29. End: 2017-05-28.
What was the specific justification for excluding sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award, and did this exclusion impact the final price?
The justification for excluding sources is not provided in the data. This clause is unusual for 'full and open' competition and suggests that while the competition was open, certain pre-identified entities were not considered. This could potentially limit price discovery and competition, leading to a less optimal price for taxpayers. Further investigation into the specific reasons for exclusion is warranted.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure for exercise coordination services compare to industry benchmarks for similar services, and what controls are in place to manage costs?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can be challenging to benchmark due to their variable cost component. Without specific details on the fixed fee and the base cost, a direct comparison is difficult. Effective oversight, including detailed cost audits and performance metrics, is crucial to ensure that costs remain reasonable and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for the defined scope of work.
What is the measurable impact of these exercise coordination services on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's overall preparedness and response capabilities?
The provided data focuses on the financial and contractual aspects of the services, not their direct impact. Measuring the effectiveness would require analyzing post-exercise reports, FEMA's operational readiness assessments, and feedback from participating agencies. Quantifying the improvement in response capabilities directly attributable to these services is essential for validating the value of this expenditure.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: HSFE20-12-R-0030
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1111 19TH ST NW 12TH FL, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,976,243
Exercised Options: $26,825,822
Current Obligation: $26,825,822
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2012-09-29
Current End Date: 2017-05-28
Potential End Date: 2017-05-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-05-20
Other Department of Homeland Security Contracts
- THE United States Coast Guard HAS a Requirement to Procure UP to Twenty-Six (26) Fast Response Cutters (frcs) on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Basis With an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA). Phase II of the FRC Program Will Complete the Fleet for a Total of 58 Cutters — $2.1B (Bollinger Shipyards Lockport, L.L.C.)
- Design and Construct NEW Vertical Barrier and Power Distribution, Lighting, Cameras, Equipment Shelters and Linear Ground Detection System (lgds) in Hildago County, NM — $1.8B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)
- Production&delivery of National Security Cutter (NSC) 6 — $1.7B (Huntington Ingalls Incorporated)
- YUM-2 Vertical Border and Waterborne Barrier Construction — $1.7B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)
- Construct Vertical Border Barrier — $1.6B (Fisher Sand & Gravel CO)