DHS awards $14.7M non-competitive contract to DFI INTERNATIONAL for management consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,688,169 ($14.7M)

Contractor: Detica Federal, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2004-09-24

End Date: 2008-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,465 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.0K/day

Competition Type: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DFI INTERNATIONAL

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20306

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.7 million to DETICA FEDERAL, INC. for work described as: DFI INTERNATIONAL Key points: 1. Contract awarded to DFI INTERNATIONAL for $14.7 million. 2. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 3. Awarded as a non-competitive delivery order by DHS. 4. Contract duration was 1465 days, ending in 2008.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract was awarded non-competitively, making a direct pricing assessment against similar contracts difficult. Without competitive bids, it's hard to determine if the $14.7 million price represents fair market value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This was a non-competitive delivery order, indicating a lack of market research or a specific justification for sole-sourcing. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The non-competitive nature of this award raises concerns about potential overspending and the efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may have paid more due to the lack of competition. The long duration of the contract suggests significant reliance on the awarded vendor. Transparency in government spending is reduced when contracts are not competitively bid.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Non-competitive award
Lack of transparency in pricing
Long contract duration without competition

Positive Signals

Services provided to Department of Homeland Security

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional services, specifically management consulting. Benchmarks for similar services vary widely, but non-competitive awards often exceed market rates.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competitive nature of this award warrants further oversight to ensure the justification was sound and that taxpayer funds were used appropriately.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for overpayment due to non-competitive award.
Lack of transparency regarding the necessity and value of services.
No evidence of small business participation.
Award made over 15 years ago, making current assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.7 million to DETICA FEDERAL, INC.. DFI INTERNATIONAL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DETICA FEDERAL, INC..

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 $14.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-24. End: 2008-09-28.

Was there a documented justification for awarding this contract non-competitively?

The provided data indicates a 'NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER'. While this confirms the award method, it does not include the specific justification. Agencies typically require detailed documentation, such as a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC), to support such awards, outlining why competition was not feasible or not in the government's best interest.

What was the specific nature of the management consulting services provided?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services'. This broad category can encompass a wide range of activities, including organizational planning, policy development, and administrative management. Without more specific details, it's difficult to assess the precise value or necessity of the services rendered under this $14.7 million award.

How did the lack of competition impact the final price paid by DHS?

Non-competitive awards inherently reduce price discovery mechanisms. Without competing bids, there is less pressure on the vendor to offer the lowest possible price. Consequently, it is highly probable that the $14.7 million paid by DHS was higher than it might have been had the contract been awarded through a competitive process.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NON-COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Address: 4075 WILSON BLVD STE 900, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,888,482

Exercised Options: $14,688,169

Current Obligation: $14,688,169

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0184J

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline