DHS awards $32K contract for courier services to transport files between OCC and Immigration Court

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,193 ($32.2K)

Contractor: Lotususa, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-08-11

End Date: 2026-08-11

Contract Duration: 1,461 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OPLA BUFFALO OCC, REQUIRES COURIER SERCVICE TO TRANSPORT FILES BETWEEN OCC AND IMMIGRATION COURT

Place of Performance

Location: BUFFALO, ERIE County, NEW YORK, 14202

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $32,192.64 to LOTUSUSA, INC. for work described as: OPLA BUFFALO OCC, REQUIRES COURIER SERCVICE TO TRANSPORT FILES BETWEEN OCC AND IMMIGRATION COURT Key points: 1. The contract value appears to be relatively low, suggesting a focused scope of services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are not detailed, but the award mechanism provides some insight. 3. The duration of the contract (over 3 years) indicates a need for ongoing, reliable service. 4. The service is critical for the operational efficiency of immigration proceedings. 5. The geographic focus is limited to the Buffalo, NY area. 6. The contractor, LOTUSUSA, INC., is a new entity in federal contracting based on this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $32,192.64 for courier services over approximately four years is modest. Without specific details on the volume of documents or frequency of transport, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the award suggests cost predictability for the government. Benchmarking against similar courier contracts would require more granular data on service levels and geographic scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a less extensive competition process than full and open competition. While the data indicates 6 bidders participated, the specific nature of SAP means that the outreach and number of qualified bidders may be restricted. This level of competition can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to broader solicitations.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, simplified acquisition procedures can offer administrative efficiency and faster award times, but may not always secure the absolute lowest price achievable through wider competition.

Public Impact

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) benefits from reliable document transport, ensuring timely case processing. Immigration courts in Buffalo, NY, will receive necessary case files, supporting judicial operations. The service directly impacts the efficiency of the immigration legal system in the specified region. Local couriers may have had opportunities to bid, potentially supporting local employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP might not yield the best possible pricing.
The contractor, LOTUSUSA, INC., is new to federal contracting, raising potential performance risks.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the award data makes assessing service quality difficult.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating some level of market engagement.
The fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The service addresses a clear operational need for ICE and immigration courts.

Sector Analysis

The courier and delivery services sector is a mature and competitive market. Federal agencies rely heavily on these services for logistics and document management. This contract falls within the broader transportation and logistics industry, where numerous private companies operate. The value of this specific contract is small relative to the overall federal spending in this sector, which often includes much larger logistics and shipping contracts.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. However, given the contract's value and the nature of SAP, it is plausible that small businesses were among the bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist or if the primary contractor is a small business itself.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order awarded under SAP, oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Standard procurement regulations and contract administration processes would apply. Transparency is generally good for awarded contracts, but detailed performance monitoring data may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Federal courier and mail services
Immigration and Customs Enforcement operational support contracts
Department of Homeland Security logistics contracts

Risk Flags

Contractor is new to federal contracting
Limited competition under SAP
Potential for service disruption impacting critical operations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $32,192.64 to LOTUSUSA, INC.. OPLA BUFFALO OCC, REQUIRES COURIER SERCVICE TO TRANSPORT FILES BETWEEN OCC AND IMMIGRATION COURT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOTUSUSA, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $32,192.64.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-11. End: 2026-08-11.

What is the track record of LOTUSUSA, INC. with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, LOTUSUSA, INC. appears to be a new entrant into federal contracting, with this purchase order being the primary or sole recorded award. As such, there is no established track record of performance, past performance evaluations, or historical data available through standard federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to assess their reliability, quality of service, or adherence to contract terms on previous government engagements. This lack of history represents a potential risk factor that the contracting agency would need to mitigate through careful monitoring and performance management.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar courier services?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $32,192.64 contract for courier services is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work, such as the volume of documents, frequency of deliveries, and specific routes within the Buffalo area. Federal courier contracts can vary significantly based on these factors. However, the contract's modest total value over its 4-year duration suggests a potentially competitive or appropriately scaled price for the defined service. A benchmark analysis would require identifying comparable contracts with similar service levels and geographic coverage, which are not readily available from the provided data.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract include the contractor's lack of federal contracting experience, which could lead to performance issues or delays in service delivery. The limited competition under SAP might also mean that the government did not secure the most cost-effective solution. Furthermore, the reliance on a single courier service for critical document transport between ICE and immigration courts introduces operational risk; any disruption in service could impact case processing timelines and judicial operations. The relatively small contract value might also make it challenging to attract highly experienced or specialized courier firms.

How effective is this contract in meeting the needs of ICE and immigration courts?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the reliable and timely transportation of essential legal documents. By awarding this contract, ICE is ensuring a mechanism is in place to support the operational flow of cases to and from the immigration courts in Buffalo. Assuming LOTUSUSA, INC. fulfills its obligations, the contract should be effective in maintaining the necessary logistical support. However, the true measure of effectiveness will be in the contractor's performance, adherence to delivery schedules, and the condition in which documents are transported, none of which can be fully assessed from the award data alone.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar courier services by DHS?

Historical spending by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on courier and delivery services is substantial, reflecting the agency's vast operational footprint and need for secure document and package transport across numerous components like ICE, CBP, and TSA. While specific figures for Buffalo-area immigration court document transport are not detailed here, DHS collectively awards billions annually across various logistics and transportation categories. Contracts for courier services can range from small, localized agreements like this one to massive, nationwide shipping and logistics contracts. Analyzing past spending would involve examining procurement data for similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, such as 492110 (Couriers and Express Delivery Services), across different DHS components over several fiscal years.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Couriers and Express Delivery Services › Couriers and Express Delivery Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 445 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90071

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $40,406

Exercised Options: $32,193

Current Obligation: $32,193

Actual Outlays: $23,373

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline