DHS awards $35.6M for IT architecture and design services to Ardent Management Consulting, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,619,985 ($35.6M)

Contractor: Ardent Management Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2014-09-29

End Date: 2019-07-09

Contract Duration: 1,744 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF AGILE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SERVICES (AADS)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20529

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $35.6 million to ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF AGILE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SERVICES (AADS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $35.6 million over approximately 4.8 years. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating broad market engagement. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests defined scope and cost control. 4. Services focus on computer systems design, a critical IT function. 5. Contract duration of 1744 days. 6. Geographic location of performance is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $35.6 million for IT architecture and design services appears reasonable given the nearly five-year performance period. Benchmarking against similar contracts for complex IT systems design and integration services would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, a competitive process was still employed, allowing for price discovery and selection of the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayers benefit from a range of potential solutions and competitive pricing, rather than being limited to a single provider.

Public Impact

USCIS benefits from enhanced IT architecture and design capabilities. Improved systems design can lead to more efficient and effective immigration services. Workforce implications include potential need for specialized IT skills within USCIS. Geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the services are performed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT architecture services could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract awarded to a single entity, potentially allowing for focused expertise and streamlined communication.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Computer Systems Design Services sector, a significant segment of the IT industry. This sector is characterized by a high demand for specialized expertise in designing, developing, and implementing complex IT solutions. Spending in this area is crucial for government agencies seeking to modernize their infrastructure and improve operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing IT services contracts for other large federal agencies with similar needs for system architecture and design.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions for this contract. Furthermore, the data does not specify any subcontracting requirements with small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is not evident from the information provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific internal oversight mechanisms are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

IT Services
Computer Systems Design
Architecture and Engineering Services
Federal IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Contract Value
Competition Level

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $35.6 million to ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC. IGF::CT::IGF AGILE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SERVICES (AADS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $35.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-29. End: 2019-07-09.

What is the track record of Ardent Management Consulting, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in IT architecture and design?

Ardent Management Consulting, LLC has a history of federal contracting, with this award representing a significant portion of their reported contract value. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their past performance on similar IT architecture and design contracts would be necessary. This would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, any documented issues or successes, and their experience with the specific technologies and methodologies relevant to USCIS's needs. Understanding their ability to deliver on time and within budget on previous complex IT projects is crucial for gauging their reliability on this current contract.

How does the $35.6 million contract value compare to similar IT architecture and design services procured by DHS or other agencies?

The $35.6 million contract value for IT architecture and design services over approximately 4.8 years is substantial, reflecting the complexity and duration of such engagements. To benchmark this effectively, it would be compared against contracts of similar scope, duration, and service type (e.g., enterprise architecture, system design, cloud migration strategy) awarded by agencies like DHS, GSA, or DoD. Factors such as the number of bidders, the specific deliverables, and the prevailing market rates for specialized IT consulting services would influence this comparison. Without direct comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a premium or a discount, but the value appears aligned with significant IT modernization efforts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, contractor performance issues, and reliance on specialized expertise. Scope creep is a risk in any large IT project where requirements may evolve; mitigation involves robust change management processes and clearly defined initial requirements. Contractor performance risk is managed through contract oversight, performance metrics, and the firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes timely and quality delivery. Reliance on specialized expertise is mitigated by the competitive selection process, which should identify a contractor with proven capabilities, and potentially through knowledge transfer clauses within the contract.

How effective has USCIS been in leveraging IT architecture and design services to improve its operations historically?

Assessing the historical effectiveness of USCIS's utilization of IT architecture and design services requires an analysis of their IT modernization initiatives and their outcomes. This would involve examining whether previous investments in IT architecture have led to measurable improvements in system performance, user experience, data security, or the efficiency of immigration processes. Reports from the USCIS Office of Inspector General (OIG) or Government Accountability Office (GAO) might offer insights into the success and challenges of past IT projects. Understanding these historical trends can inform the evaluation of the current contract's potential impact.

What are the historical spending patterns for IT architecture and design services at USCIS and DHS?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IT architecture and design services at USCIS and DHS would involve reviewing budget allocations and contract awards over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in investment, identify key service providers, and highlight areas of focus for IT modernization. Such analysis could show whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether it has been concentrated in specific types of IT services or projects. Understanding these patterns provides context for the current $35.6 million award and helps identify potential future needs or areas for cost optimization.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1840 MICHAEL FARADAY DR STE 120, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,619,985

Exercised Options: $35,619,985

Current Obligation: $35,619,985

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC13DE2042

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline