DHS awards $5.36M for facilities support services to ASRC Federal Field Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,361,142 ($5.4M)

Contractor: Asrc Federal Field Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-29

End Date: 2027-01-14

Contract Duration: 1,933 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARD A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER THE CENTER-WIDE SUPPORT PROGRAM CONTRACT #70RSAT18D00000001 TO PROCURE TECHNICAL, PROFESSIONAL, MANUAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, SPECIFIC TO PICS (ONLY)

Place of Performance

Location: ORIENT, SUFFOLK County, NEW YORK, 11957

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.4 million to ASRC FEDERAL FIELD SERVICES, LLC for work described as: AWARD A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER THE CENTER-WIDE SUPPORT PROGRAM CONTRACT #70RSAT18D00000001 TO PROCURE TECHNICAL, PROFESSIONAL, MANUAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, SPECIFIC TO PICS (ONLY) Key points: 1. This contract represents a task order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, suggesting a pre-established relationship and potentially streamlined procurement. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can incentivize cost control by the contractor while ensuring a defined profit margin. 3. The procurement method, 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources,' indicates a competitive process was intended, though the exclusion of specific sources warrants further investigation. 4. The duration of the task order is approximately 1933 days, spanning over five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 5. The services procured are for facilities support, a critical but often overlooked component of government operations. 6. The awardee, ASRC Federal Field Services, LLC, is a known entity in the federal contracting space, suggesting a degree of contractor capability and past performance. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561210 points to facilities support services, a broad category encompassing maintenance, operations, and related activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $5.36 million for facilities support services over nearly five years appears reasonable within the context of government contracts for such services. However, without specific benchmarks for the scope of services (technical, professional, manual, and administrative support for PICS), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The CPFF contract type means the government pays for allowable costs plus a fixed fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar task orders under the same IDIQ or against other agencies' facilities support contracts would provide a clearer picture of pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded using 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources.' This suggests that while the initial IDIQ contract may have been competed broadly, this specific task order involved a competitive process among pre-qualified or invited vendors, with certain sources excluded. The exact reasons for exclusion are not detailed, which could limit transparency. The number of bidders and the specific criteria for exclusion would be crucial to understanding the extent of competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even if justified, may limit the potential for the most competitive pricing for taxpayers. A broader competition typically drives down costs, and any limitations on the pool of bidders could result in higher prices than might otherwise be achieved.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and specifically the PICS (Program Information and Communication System) program, which will receive essential operational support. The services delivered include technical, professional, manual, and administrative support, ensuring the smooth functioning of facilities related to PICS. The geographic impact is centered in New York (ST='NY', SN='NEW YORK'), where the services will be performed. The contract supports the workforce involved in facilities management and administrative tasks within the DHS, potentially including both government personnel and contractor employees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the procurement method raises questions about the breadth of competition and potential for missed cost savings.
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously monitored and controlled by the agency.
The long duration of the task order (nearly five years) necessitates ongoing vigilance to ensure continued value and alignment with evolving agency needs.

Positive Signals

The award is made under an existing IDIQ contract, suggesting a pre-vetted contractor and a potentially efficient procurement process.
ASRC Federal Field Services, LLC, as the awardee, likely possesses relevant experience and a track record in providing similar services to the federal government.
The contract specifies a fixed fee, which, combined with cost reimbursement, provides a degree of predictability in contractor profit.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services fall under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized services supporting government operations. The NAICS code 561210 specifically covers establishments primarily engaged in operating and maintaining buildings and other facilities, on a contract or fee basis. Spending in this area is consistent across many federal agencies, as maintaining operational infrastructure is a fundamental requirement. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically look at the cost per square foot or cost per service hour for similar facilities management contracts across different agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB=false) and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award. However, the prime contractor, ASRC Federal Field Services, LLC, may have its own small business subcontracting goals under its broader IDIQ contract, which are not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Procurement Operations, which awarded the task order. The specific program office overseeing the PICS program would also play a crucial role in monitoring performance and ensuring services meet requirements. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight is necessary to ensure allowable costs are reasonable and the fixed fee is earned. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Center-Wide Support Program Contract
Facilities Support Services Contracts
Department of Homeland Security IT Support Contracts
Program Management Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure
Limited transparency on source exclusion criteria
Need for rigorous performance monitoring over long contract duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.4 million to ASRC FEDERAL FIELD SERVICES, LLC. AWARD A NEW TASK ORDER UNDER THE CENTER-WIDE SUPPORT PROGRAM CONTRACT #70RSAT18D00000001 TO PROCURE TECHNICAL, PROFESSIONAL, MANUAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, SPECIFIC TO PICS (ONLY)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASRC FEDERAL FIELD SERVICES, LLC.

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: 2021-09-29. End: 2027-01-14.

What is the specific scope of 'technical, professional, manual and administrative support' for PICS, and how does it align with the $5.36 million award?

The provided data indicates the task order is for 'technical, professional, manual and administrative support, specific to PICS (ONLY)'. While the exact breakdown of these categories is not detailed, 'technical support' could encompass IT maintenance, system administration, or specialized equipment operation for the Program Information and Communication System (PICS). 'Professional support' might include project management, analysis, or consulting related to PICS. 'Manual support' could involve physical tasks like equipment handling or site maintenance, and 'administrative support' would cover tasks such as documentation, scheduling, and general office duties. The $5.36 million award over approximately 1933 days (roughly 5.3 years) suggests an average annual cost of approximately $1 million. This figure would need to be benchmarked against the specific labor categories, hours, and overhead rates required for PICS operations to determine its reasonableness. Without a detailed Statement of Work (SOW), it's difficult to definitively assess the alignment of scope and cost.

What were the specific reasons for excluding other potential sources in the 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' procurement method?

The data states the procurement method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This implies that while the contract was intended to be competed, certain potential offerors were deliberately excluded from the process. The specific reasons for these exclusions are not provided in the summary data. Typically, such exclusions might be based on factors like prior performance issues, lack of specific required certifications or capabilities, or if the contract was a follow-on to a previous effort where only specific vendors possessed the necessary institutional knowledge or security clearances. Understanding the rationale behind these exclusions is critical for assessing whether the competition was truly as robust as possible and if it potentially limited price discovery for the government. Further investigation into the solicitation documents or award justification would be needed to ascertain the precise reasons.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract structure for this task order compare to industry standards for facilities support services?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type is common in government contracting, particularly for services where the scope may evolve or is difficult to define precisely upfront, such as complex technical or professional support. In a CPFF structure, the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing their profit. For facilities support services, this structure can incentivize efficiency, as the contractor's profit is fixed regardless of the actual costs incurred (though costs must be allowable). However, it also places a significant burden on the government to meticulously monitor and audit costs to prevent overruns. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF offers more flexibility but less cost certainty for the government. Industry standards for facilities support often lean towards fixed-price or performance-based contracts when the scope is well-defined, as these offer greater cost predictability. The use of CPFF here suggests that the government anticipated potential uncertainties in the scope or execution of the PICS-specific support.

What is the historical spending pattern for facilities support services at DHS, and how does this award fit within that context?

The provided data focuses on a single task order award and does not offer historical spending patterns for facilities support services at DHS. To assess this, one would need to analyze historical contract data for DHS, specifically looking at contracts with NAICS code 561210 (Facilities Support Services) or similar codes, and potentially filtering for contracts related to IT infrastructure or program support. This analysis would reveal the total annual or multi-year spending on such services, the primary awardees, and the typical contract types and durations. This $5.36 million award over nearly five years represents a significant, but likely not the entirety, of DHS's facilities support expenditure. Understanding the historical context would help determine if this award represents a new trend, a continuation of existing support, or a deviation in spending levels or contractor selection.

What are the potential risks associated with ASRC Federal Field Services, LLC's performance on this contract, given their track record?

Assessing the potential risks associated with ASRC Federal Field Services, LLC's performance requires examining their past performance record, particularly on similar government contracts. While the data indicates this is a task order under an existing IDIQ, suggesting some level of pre-qualification, specific risks can still emerge. Potential risks include contractor underperformance leading to disruptions in PICS operations, cost overruns due to inefficient management of reimbursable expenses under the CPFF structure, or cybersecurity vulnerabilities if technical support involves sensitive systems. Without access to past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), debriefings from previous competitions, or any documented issues, it's difficult to pinpoint specific risks. However, the long duration of the contract necessitates proactive risk management by the government, including regular performance reviews and clear communication channels.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR STE 100, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,558,135

Exercised Options: $5,944,103

Current Obligation: $5,361,142

Actual Outlays: $1,765,624

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $468,737

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RSAT18D00000001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline