The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded 13 companies spot on its new agile software development contracting vehicle, Flexible Agile Support for the Homeland, or FLASH. Nextgov reports “With a maximum value of $1.54 billion, the agency-wide contracting system was designed to promote vendors skilled in ‘user-centered design, dev-ops, automated testing and agile,’ according to DHS. FLASH has a one-year base period with two more one-year ordering periods.” According to DHS Chief Information Officer Luke McCormack, FLASH is intended to be a pilot program.
Though the contract is focused on agile processes—including coordinating development “sprints,” meaning breaking the project up into small, quickly achievable chunks—the contract has a high max value of $1.54 billion. DHS said it worked closely with the General Services Administration (GSA) and its innovation shop, 18F, to ensure it was following best practices.
“With a maximum value of $1.54 billion, the agency-wide contracting system was designed to promote vendors skilled in ‘user-centered design, dev-ops, automated testing and agile,’ according to DHS. FLASH has a one-year base period with two more one-year ordering periods.” According to DHS Chief Information Officer Luke McCormack, FLASH is intended to be a pilot program.