DoD's $43.9M Biometric Systems Contract Awarded to RS3 Joint Venture LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,922,798 ($43.9M)
Contractor: RS3 Joint Venture LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-09-11
End Date: 2022-01-26
Contract Duration: 1,233 days
Daily Burn Rate: $35.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IRAQ AUTOMATED BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (IABIS)&AFGHANISTAN AUTOMATED BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AABIS)
Place of Performance
Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $43.9 million to RS3 JOINT VENTURE LLC for work described as: IRAQ AUTOMATED BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (IABIS)&AFGHANISTAN AUTOMATED BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AABIS) Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $43.9 million, supports the Iraq and Afghanistan Automated Biometric Identification Systems. 2. RS3 Joint Venture LLC secured this award under a full and open competition. 3. The spending falls under Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 4. This contract represents a significant investment in biometric identification technology for defense operations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $43.9 million for biometric identification systems appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts for advanced identification technologies would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. The use of a delivery order mechanism within a larger contract vehicle indicates flexibility in acquiring services as needed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for critical defense technology development and deployment, aiming to enhance security and operational effectiveness.
Public Impact
Enhances security capabilities in operational theaters through advanced biometric identification. Supports military and intelligence operations by providing crucial identification data. Contributes to the development and implementation of cutting-edge R&D in biometrics. Potential for improved efficiency in personnel and threat identification.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
- Potential for cost overruns in long-term R&D projects.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical system maintenance and upgrades.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports critical national security objectives.
- Utilizes established contract vehicles for efficient procurement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but can be subject to evolving requirements and market dynamics.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses, as RS3 Joint Venture LLC is listed as the contractor. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business subcontracting opportunities were pursued.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of the Army, under the Department of Defense, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for R&D contracts, including performance reviews and financial audits, should be in place.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for technological obsolescence.
- Cybersecurity risks associated with sensitive biometric data.
- Long-term sustainment costs and vendor dependency.
- Ensuring interoperability with evolving defense systems.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $43.9 million to RS3 JOINT VENTURE LLC. IRAQ AUTOMATED BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (IABIS)&AFGHANISTAN AUTOMATED BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AABIS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RS3 JOINT VENTURE LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $43.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-09-11. End: 2022-01-26.
What is the specific technological advancement or capability improvement expected from this $43.9 million investment in biometric systems?
The investment is expected to enhance the capabilities of the Iraq and Afghanistan Automated Biometric Identification Systems (IABIS & AABIS). This likely involves upgrading existing technology, improving accuracy and speed of identification, expanding database capacity, and potentially integrating new biometric modalities. The goal is to provide more robust identification solutions for personnel and threat assessment in complex operational environments, thereby improving security and operational effectiveness.
What are the primary risks associated with the long-term sustainment and potential obsolescence of these biometric systems?
Key risks include the rapid pace of technological change in biometrics, leading to potential obsolescence of the fielded systems. There's also a risk of data breaches or cybersecurity vulnerabilities, given the sensitive nature of biometric data. Furthermore, reliance on a specific vendor for maintenance and upgrades could lead to vendor lock-in and increased long-term costs. Ensuring interoperability with future systems and adapting to evolving threat landscapes are also significant challenges.
How effectively does this contract contribute to the overall mission readiness and operational success of deployed forces?
This contract is designed to directly contribute to mission readiness by providing critical identification capabilities. Accurate and rapid biometric identification can help distinguish between friendly forces, civilians, and adversaries, thereby reducing collateral damage and enhancing force protection. It also aids in intelligence gathering and tracking of individuals of interest. The effectiveness hinges on the system's reliability, accuracy, and seamless integration into existing operational workflows.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
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: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1945 OLD GALLOWS RD STE 500, VIENNA, VA, 22182
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $87,151,355
Exercised Options: $43,922,798
Current Obligation: $43,922,798
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W15P7T17D0129
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-09-11
Current End Date: 2022-01-26
Potential End Date: 2023-09-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-26
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