Homeland Security

Enterprise Acquisition Gateway for Leading Edge Solutions
Homeland Security Department

Estimated value: Up to $45 billion
Expected award date: March 2006

This flexible seven-year GWAC contract consolidates most DHS technology services needs into one contract, swallowing up several Defense contracts, as well as DHS' Security, Planning and Integrated Resources for IT (SPIRIT), in the process. EAGLE, which includes managed services and systems integration, finally will provide DHS with its own vehicle for purchasing IT services instead of relying on contracts from other agencies. But DHS officials stress that program managers don't have to use EAGLE if they don't deem it the best source for their particular needs. "If it's a service better obtained through a stand-alone contract because of the nature or size of the requirement, that's fine," says a DHS official.

First Source
Homeland Security Department

Estimated value: Up to $3 billion
Expected award date: February 2006

Although it's not a high-dollar contract, First Source is an important step in DHS' move toward contracting independence. As the products and commodity counterpart to EAGLE, First Source will help DHS standardize most IT-related purchases and will consolidate most IT commodities contracts throughout DHS while helping move the department to a common technology infrastructure. First Source is a 100 percent small business set-aside contract, with small business defined loosely as 150 employees or fewer.

American Shield Initiative
Homeland Security Department,
Customs and Border Protection Bureau

Estimated value: Approximately $2 billion
Expected award date: Third-quarter 2006

This five-year contract expands the department's Integrated Surveillance Intelligence System to ensure that U.S. land and coastal borders are protected by the latest and most advanced remote detection devices and other surveillance technologies. Eventually, ASI is expected to be integrated with ISIS. Officials announced in November that the initiative would be incorporated into the Secure Border Initiative, a larger effort to protect borders and reduce illegal immigration.