Getting into the spirit of things

The Security, Planning and Integrated Resources for Information Technology (SPIRIT) program stands to emerge as a source for IT services across the Homeland Security Department.

Industry watchers say the deal could be worth anywhere from $3 billion to $10 billion. Not surprisingly, many large integrators are keeping a close eye on the contract. “A lot of us are gearing up for this,” one integration executive said. The department is expected to issue a request for proposals in July and announce the contract awards in September or October.

SPIRIT will feature both small-business and full-and-open awards, though it’s unclear whether each category will have multiple winners. Both categories will feature three functional areas: all levels of help-desk support, integration support and security.

William Teel, president and chief executive officer of 1-Source Consulting Inc., a Seabrook, Md.-based 8(a) firm, said his company will bid as the prime contractor on help-desk and integration support. He noted that 8(a) companies can bid as prime contractors on any of the areas within SPIRIT, and such firms have also been encouraged to partner with prime contractors that are pursuing the full-and-open competition.

Accordingly, 8(a) firms have “two opportunities to get into a given functional area,” Teel said.