DHS Taking Another Look at EAGLE Contract The Homeland Security Department is considering options to increase small business participation in its EAGLE IT contract vehicle. Kevin Boshears, the department’s OSDBU director, says seven of the 28 small businesses on the EAGLE contract have been acquired by large firms. Boshears said DHS is “committed to ensuring adequate small business competition” on these task orders. Speaking at Set-Aside Alert’s Federal Executive Breakfast Oct. 20, he said the department is exploring various alternatives to continue meeting EAGLE’s small business goals. However, there are no specific plans to add small businesses to the EAGLE contract “at this time.” Boshears said among the options being considered are establishing on-ramp capabilities, recompeting the small business portion of EAGLE or restructuring the contract “some other way.” The program managers are consulting with their internal customers as to their needs and how contract changes might affect ongoing work. Industry input and lessons learned will also impact how DHS responds to the situation. DHS awarded EAGLE contracts in 2006 to 25 large and 28 small businesses. So far 38% of the EAGLE procurement actions have been awarded to small firms, but those firms received a lower percentage of the actual dollars awarded. Large businesses are expected to meet substantial small business subcontracting goals, giving small firms another avenue to participate in DHS requirements. Awards under DHS’ companion FirstSource contracts for IT commodities have so far amounted to $800 million, all set aside for small businesses. A comprehensive description of the EAGLE program and links to the EAGLE Ordering Guide and other information are at www.dhs.gov/xopnbiz/opportunities/editorial_0700.shtm. PACTS Offers Under Evaluation Boshears said DHS is still evaluating the large number of offers received for its PACTS set-aside contract for service-disabled veteran-owned businesses. PACTS will give the department multiple sources for program management, administrative, clerical, and technical services. DHS is using a two-phase evaluation. Phase I selection is still underway, but should be complete by year-end. Those offers that are highly rated in the Phase I evaluation will be required to submit another proposal for Phase II by a date yet to be determined. The winning SDV-owned firms will gain contracts with a two-year term and three one-year options. Information on PACTS and other DHS procurements may be found at www.dhs.gov/xopnbiz/opportunities.