DHS awarded $68.6M for DNDO SETA Support Services to Schafer Government Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $68,601,784 ($68.6M)

Contractor: Schafer Government Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2015-06-08

End Date: 2018-08-22

Contract Duration: 1,171 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF DNDO SETA SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $68.6 million to SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF DNDO SETA SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 3. The duration of the contract was 1171 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The services provided fall under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 5. The contract was awarded as a BPA Call, indicating it was part of a larger pre-competed agreement. 6. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Schafer Government Services, LLC.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $68.6 million over approximately three years for SETA support services appears to be within a reasonable range for complex federal programs. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for evolving requirements, carries inherent risks for cost overruns if not meticulously monitored. Benchmarking against similar SETA support contracts would provide a clearer picture of its competitiveness.

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 specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competitive environment was intended. This approach generally promotes price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The use of a BPA Call implies that the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement was also competitively awarded.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to secure the most competitive pricing and best overall value by allowing a wide range of potential contractors to participate.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Homeland Security's Directorate of National Programs (DNDO), which receives critical support services. The services delivered likely include program management, technical expertise, and advisory support to enhance DNDO's operational capabilities. The contract's geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the agency is located. The contract supports specialized technical and engineering roles, potentially impacting the federal workforce in these areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed and if labor hours are not efficiently utilized.
Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition makes it difficult to fully assess the competitive pressure on pricing.
The contract duration of over three years necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value and alignment with DNDO's evolving needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and vendor selection.
The contract was a BPA Call, suggesting it was part of a pre-competed, potentially more efficient, acquisition vehicle.
The vendor, Schafer Government Services, LLC, was selected, implying they met the government's technical and performance requirements.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), which is a significant segment of the federal contracting market. This sector supports a wide range of government agencies with specialized technical and scientific expertise. SETA (Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance) support is crucial for complex programs, particularly in areas like national security and program management. Spending in this category is often driven by the need for specialized, high-level technical advice and program oversight that government personnel may not possess internally.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, Schafer Government Services, LLC, would be responsible for its own subcontracting plan if applicable, but this contract itself does not mandate small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and specifically the Office of Procurement Operations and the program office within DNDO. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous oversight of labor hours, rates, and direct costs is essential to ensure accountability and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics and oversight reports are typically internal to the agency unless subject to specific Freedom of Information Act requests or Inspector General reviews.

Related Government Programs

DHS SETA Support Services
Engineering Services Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
Program Management Support Services
Systems Engineering Support

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Cost Overruns
Long Contract Duration
Limited Publicly Available Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $68.6 million to SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC. IGF::CL::IGF DNDO SETA SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $68.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-06-08. End: 2018-08-22.

What is the specific scope of work covered under these SETA support services for DNDO?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work for the DNDO SETA Support Services contract. Generally, SETA contracts provide specialized technical, engineering, and program management support to government agencies. This can include areas such as systems engineering, acquisition support, risk management, technical analysis, and strategic planning. For DNDO, which focuses on countering weapons of mass destruction, the support likely involves technical expertise related to detection, analysis, and consequence management, as well as program oversight and integration of various security initiatives. A detailed statement of work (SOW) would outline the precise tasks, deliverables, and performance standards.

How does the $68.6 million contract value compare to similar SETA support contracts within DHS or other agencies?

Benchmarking the $68.6 million contract value requires comparing it against similar Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support contracts awarded to large businesses for comparable services within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or other federal agencies. SETA contracts can vary significantly in price based on the complexity of the program, the level of expertise required, the duration, and the specific deliverables. Contracts for large-scale defense or national security programs often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Without knowing the specific tasks and duration, a direct comparison is difficult. However, for a multi-year contract supporting a critical directorate like DNDO, this value appears within the expected range for specialized, high-level technical and program management support.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service?

The primary risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for these SETA support services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours expended and the cost of materials used. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if not rigorously monitored by the government. For the agency, it means that the total cost is not fixed upfront and can exceed initial estimates if controls are not in place. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, validation of work performed, and clear task definitions, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

What is Schafer Government Services, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly within DHS?

Schafer Government Services, LLC has a history of performing federal contracts. While the provided data does not offer a comprehensive track record, public databases indicate they have been awarded numerous contracts across various agencies, including the Department of Defense and other civilian agencies. Their experience likely encompasses a range of professional services, potentially including IT, engineering, and program management support. To fully assess their track record for this specific DNDO SETA contract, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, any past performance issues or awards, and their success rate on similar complex technical support contracts, particularly within the national security or homeland security domains.

How does the competition level (full and open) impact the cost-effectiveness for taxpayers?

Awarding the contract under 'full and open competition' is generally beneficial for taxpayers. This approach maximizes the pool of potential bidders, allowing the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified companies. Increased competition typically drives down prices as contractors vie for the award by offering more competitive rates and demonstrating superior value. It also provides the government with a broader range of technical solutions and fosters innovation. While the specific number of bidders isn't detailed here, the principle of full and open competition aims to ensure that the selected contractor offers the best combination of price, technical capability, and performance, thereby maximizing the return on taxpayer investment.

What are the potential implications of this contract on future spending patterns for DNDO or similar DHS programs?

This contract, valued at $68.6 million over its duration, establishes a significant expenditure for DNDO's SETA support services. Its successful execution by Schafer Government Services, LLC could lead to follow-on contracts or extensions, potentially shaping future spending patterns if the services remain critical and the performance is satisfactory. The use of a BPA Call suggests a strategic approach to acquiring these services, potentially streamlining future procurements under the same BPA. If this contract proves to be a cost-effective solution, it may serve as a benchmark for similar future requirements within DHS, influencing how such support is procured and funded across the department.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Gryphon Technologies, Inc.

Address: 3811 N FAIRFAX DR STE 400, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $86,222,930

Exercised Options: $79,948,584

Current Obligation: $68,601,784

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC11A00029

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline