RAND Corporation awarded $5.4M for analytic support to DHS immigration statistics office

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,379,862 ($5.4M)

Contractor: THE Rand Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2025-01-30

Contract Duration: 853 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ANALYTIC SUPPORT TO THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION STATISTICS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.4 million to THE RAND CORPORATION for work described as: ANALYTIC SUPPORT TO THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION STATISTICS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Duration of 853 days suggests a need for sustained analytical capabilities. 3. Research and Development in Social Sciences and Humanities category indicates specialized expertise required. 4. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee, which can incentivize contractor efficiency. 5. Oversight will be crucial given the sole-source nature and the complexity of immigration statistics. 6. The RAND Corporation has a long history of government contracting, suggesting established capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without comparable sole-source awards for similar analytic support. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure means costs can fluctuate, but the fixed fee provides some predictability. The total award amount of $5.4 million over approximately 2.4 years suggests a moderate investment for specialized analytical services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances preclude full and open competition. The lack of competition means that taxpayers did not benefit from potential price reductions that could arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. The government may not achieve the best possible value for its investment in such cases.

Public Impact

The Office of Immigration Statistics within DHS benefits from enhanced analytical capabilities. Improved data analysis can lead to more informed policy decisions regarding immigration. The District of Columbia benefits from the presence of contract work, though specific workforce implications are not detailed. The services delivered are crucial for understanding complex immigration trends and patterns.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Award to RAND Corporation, a well-established research organization with a history of government support.
The contract duration suggests a recognized need for ongoing, specialized analytical support.
The specific NAICS code (541720) indicates a focus on specialized social science and humanities research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities sector. This sector is characterized by specialized firms and academic institutions providing analytical, research, and consulting services. Government spending in this area often supports policy development, program evaluation, and understanding complex societal issues. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the niche nature of the services and the sole-source award.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract included small business set-asides. Given the sole-source nature and the specialized research required, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be a primary focus unless RAND specifically sought them out for particular expertise.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Office of Immigration Statistics. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of analytical reports and research findings as specified in the contract Statement of Work. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source procurement method.

Related Government Programs

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Analytics
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Data Analysis
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Research
Department of Justice (DOJ) Immigration Statistics

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Lack of competitive bidding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.4 million to THE RAND CORPORATION. ANALYTIC SUPPORT TO THE OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION STATISTICS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE RAND CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2025-01-30.

What is the track record of The RAND Corporation with the Department of Homeland Security?

The RAND Corporation has a significant history of contracting with various U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Their work often involves complex research, analysis, and policy recommendations across a wide range of security, defense, and social science domains. For DHS specifically, RAND has provided support on issues related to immigration, border security, counterterrorism, and emergency management. Their extensive experience suggests a deep understanding of government needs and a capacity to handle large-scale analytical projects. Specific contract details and performance reviews would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment, but their general reputation is that of a highly capable research institution.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type compare to other contract types in terms of value for money?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined, or when the contractor's costs are difficult to estimate accurately. In a CPFF contract, the government reimburses the contractor for all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure can incentivize the contractor to control costs, as the fee remains constant regardless of the final cost. However, compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF contracts carry more cost risk for the government, as the final price is not fixed. For value for money, it is generally considered less advantageous than a well-competed fixed-price contract, but can be appropriate for R&D or complex services where cost certainty is not feasible.

What are the primary risks associated with sole-source procurements for analytical services?

The primary risks associated with sole-source procurements for analytical services include a lack of competitive pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for the government. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to be efficient or innovative. There's also a risk that the government may not be aware of alternative solutions or contractors that could offer better value or specialized expertise. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process. For analytical services, a key risk is that the chosen contractor may not possess the most suitable or up-to-date methodologies, or that their perspective might be biased due to their unique relationship with the agency.

What are the implications of awarding this contract to The RAND Corporation for the Office of Immigration Statistics?

Awarding this contract to The RAND Corporation implies that the Office of Immigration Statistics requires highly specialized research and analytical capabilities that they believe RAND is uniquely positioned to provide. This suggests a need for sophisticated data analysis, modeling, and policy-relevant insights into complex immigration trends. RAND's involvement could lead to more robust statistical reporting, improved forecasting, and better-informed policy recommendations. The long-term duration of the contract indicates a strategic need for sustained analytical support rather than a one-off project. This partnership aims to leverage RAND's extensive research infrastructure and expertise to enhance the office's understanding and management of immigration data.

How does the $5.4 million award compare to historical spending on similar analytic support contracts?

Comparing the $5.4 million award for analytic support to the Office of Immigration Statistics requires context on the duration and scope of similar contracts. This award is for approximately 853 days (about 2.4 years), totaling roughly $2.25 million per year. Without access to a comprehensive database of all DHS analytic support contracts, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, for specialized research and development services, particularly those involving complex data analysis and policy research, this annual figure is within a moderate range. Larger, multi-year contracts for broad analytical support can easily exceed tens of millions annually. The sole-source nature of this award means it cannot be directly compared to competitively bid contracts for similar services, which might have yielded different price points.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1776 MAIN ST, SANTA MONICA, CA, 90401

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,379,862

Exercised Options: $5,379,862

Current Obligation: $5,379,862

Actual Outlays: $5,380,954

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RSAT22D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline