FEMA's $14.7M Mass Transit Technical Assistance contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,716,880 ($14.7M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-05-04

End Date: 2009-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,427 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PORT/MASS TRANSIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.7 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: PORT/MASS TRANSIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. Contract value of $14.7M over 4 years for technical assistance in port and mass transit. 2. Services provided by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 3. Contract awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating multiple bids were considered. 4. The contract duration of approximately 4 years suggests a need for sustained support. 5. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce cost variability. 6. This contract falls under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) purview within the Department of Homeland Security.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $14.7 million over nearly four years for technical assistance in port and mass transit appears reasonable given the scope. However, without specific benchmarks for similar technical assistance contracts in this niche sector, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, potentially impacting the overall value. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and outcomes against industry standards and other government contracts for similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting that it was competed under a broader contract vehicle where multiple vendors could bid. The presence of 'full-and-open' competition implies that a significant number of bidders likely vied for this task order, which is generally a positive sign for price discovery. The specific number of bidders for this particular delivery order is not detailed, but the competitive nature suggests that FEMA sought the best value among qualified offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces. This approach increases the likelihood of obtaining services at a fair and reasonable cost.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal, state, and local agencies involved in port and mass transit operations, receiving expert guidance. Services delivered include technical assistance, likely encompassing planning, operational improvements, and policy development for transit systems. The geographic impact is broad, potentially covering various regions with significant port and mass transit infrastructure. Workforce implications could include the engagement of specialized consultants and the potential for knowledge transfer to public sector employees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost uncertainty if not managed diligently.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided.
The broad nature of 'technical assistance' could lead to scope creep if not clearly defined and monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Longer contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for building expertise.
Contractor, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large, established entity with significant government contracting experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract operates within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on management and consulting for public infrastructure. The market for such services is substantial, with numerous firms offering expertise in transportation, logistics, and public administration. Federal spending in this area often supports critical infrastructure development and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other technical assistance contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Transportation or other components of Homeland Security focused on infrastructure resilience.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus was likely on large business prime contractors. While SAIC is a large business, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans to small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether SAIC actively sought small business partners for specialized services, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security. As a competitive delivery order, it is subject to standard contract administration and oversight processes. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance requirements outlined in the contract and the delivery order. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Transportation - Technical Assistance Programs
Department of Homeland Security - Infrastructure Security
Federal Transit Administration - Grants and Technical Assistance
Port Authority Operations Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes outcome assessment difficult.
Broad service description could lead to scope creep if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.7 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. PORT/MASS TRANSIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

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 $14.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-05-04. End: 2009-03-31.

What specific types of technical assistance were provided under this contract?

The contract broadly covers 'PORT/MASS TRANSIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE' under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' While specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, typical services under such a contract could include strategic planning, operational efficiency assessments, safety and security program development, regulatory compliance guidance, emergency preparedness planning, and technology integration support for port authorities and mass transit agencies. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure suggests that the scope might have been flexible, allowing for adaptation to evolving needs as technical assistance was rendered. Further details on the Statement of Work (SOW) would be necessary to ascertain the precise nature and depth of the assistance provided.

How does the $14.7 million contract value compare to similar federal spending on transit technical assistance?

Benchmarking the $14.7 million contract value requires comparing it against similar federal contracts for technical assistance specifically within the port and mass transit sectors. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, considering the contract duration of nearly four years and the nature of specialized consulting services, this amount appears to be within a reasonable range for a significant federal agency like FEMA addressing critical infrastructure needs. Factors influencing this value include the complexity of the issues addressed, the level of expertise required, and the number of entities or projects supported. A detailed analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes (541611) and service descriptions awarded by agencies like the Department of Transportation or other homeland security-related entities.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for technical assistance?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for technical assistance is cost uncertainty and potential overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if project management is weak, the contractor may expend more hours or resources than initially anticipated, leading to a higher final cost for the government. This necessitates robust oversight from the government contracting officer to monitor labor hours, ensure efficiency, and validate the necessity of all expenditures. For technical assistance, where the exact path to a solution might evolve, T&M offers flexibility but demands vigilant management to control costs and ensure value.

What is the track record of Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in providing similar services?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a large, established government contractor with extensive experience across various sectors, including defense, intelligence, and federal civilian agencies. They have a significant history of providing management and consulting services, IT solutions, and engineering support. While specific details on their past performance related to port and mass transit technical assistance under FEMA are not provided here, SAIC's broad capabilities suggest they possess the organizational capacity and expertise to handle such contracts. Their track record generally includes managing complex projects, adhering to government regulations, and delivering technical solutions. Government contract databases and past performance reviews would offer more granular insights into their specific successes and challenges in delivering similar services.

How does the competitive nature of this award impact potential cost savings for taxpayers?

The fact that this contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' is a significant positive indicator for taxpayer value. Competition inherently drives down prices as multiple vendors strive to offer the most attractive bid to win the contract. This process allows the government to leverage market forces to achieve a fair and reasonable price, reducing the risk of paying inflated costs. While the specific number of bidders isn't detailed, a competitive award suggests that FEMA received proposals from several qualified firms, enabling them to select the offer that best balanced cost and technical merit. This contrasts sharply with sole-source awards, where the absence of competition can lead to higher prices.

What is the historical spending pattern for port and mass transit technical assistance by FEMA?

The provided data only details a single contract ($14.7M from 2005-2009) for 'PORT/MASS TRANSIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE' awarded by FEMA to SAIC. To understand historical spending patterns, a broader analysis of FEMA's budget and contract awards over multiple fiscal years would be necessary. This would involve examining contracts with similar service descriptions (e.g., management consulting, technical support, infrastructure resilience) and relevant NAICS codes (like 541611) awarded by FEMA or related agencies within the Department of Homeland Security. Without this broader context, it's impossible to determine if this $14.7 million contract represents a significant investment, a typical expenditure, or an outlier in FEMA's historical spending on transit-related technical support.

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: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $21,306,852

Exercised Options: $14,716,880

Current Obligation: $14,716,880

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F8006H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline