USCIS Awards $30.3M for SCOSS Services to Central Research Inc. Amidst Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,284,095 ($30.3M)

Contractor: Central Research Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2019-01-31

End Date: 2019-11-30

Contract Duration: 303 days

Daily Burn Rate: $99.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS)

Place of Performance

Location: DALLAS, DALLAS County, TEXAS, 75201

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $30.3 million to CENTRAL RESEARCH INC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $30.3M for USCIS Service Center Operations Support Services (SCOSS). 2. Awarded to Central Research Inc. through full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Contract duration of 303 days, ending November 30, 2019. 4. Focus on office administrative services within the Department of Homeland Security. 5. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $30.3M for approximately 10 months of service appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized administrative support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale operational support contracts is difficult without more granular service details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is sought.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests taxpayers likely received a fair price for the services rendered, though the exact savings compared to a sole-source award are unknown.

Public Impact

Impacts USCIS operations by providing essential administrative support to service centers. Ensures continuity of critical immigration processing functions. Potential for improved efficiency in service center operations through dedicated support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for ongoing or future contracts.
Specific performance metrics and outcomes not detailed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports critical government functions for USCIS.
Clear contract end date.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under office administrative services, a broad category supporting various government functions. Spending benchmarks for such services vary widely based on scope and complexity, but $30.3M for a 10-month period suggests a significant operational scale.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates no small business participation (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the prime contractor, Central Research Inc., did not subcontract with small businesses for this award, which could be an area for future consideration.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contracting officer's representative. Accountability for service delivery and performance would be tied to the contract's terms and conditions.

Related Government Programs

Office Administrative Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Programs

Risk Flags

No small business participation.
Short contract duration.
Limited detail on specific services provided.
Potential for follow-on contracts not specified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $30.3 million to CENTRAL RESEARCH INC. IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CENTRAL RESEARCH INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-01-31. End: 2019-11-30.

What specific administrative services were provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to USCIS's mission efficiency?

The contract focused on 'Office Administrative Services' for USCIS Service Center Operations Support Services (SCOSS). While the exact services are not detailed, they likely encompassed tasks such as document processing, data entry, scheduling, communication management, and general office support critical for the smooth functioning of USCIS service centers. These services are essential for managing the high volume of immigration applications and petitions, directly contributing to the agency's mission efficiency by ensuring timely and accurate processing.

Given the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method, what does this imply about the initial bidding landscape and potential price discovery?

This procurement method suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were initially excluded, possibly due to specific requirements or pre-existing relationships. However, the 'full and open' aspect implies that multiple qualified bidders were allowed to compete, leading to a more robust price discovery process than a sole-source award. This competitive pressure likely resulted in a more favorable price for the government compared to a non-competitive scenario.

What is the potential long-term impact of awarding this contract for 303 days without noted small business participation?

The short duration (303 days) suggests this might be a bridge contract or a specific project-based need. The lack of small business participation means opportunities for smaller, specialized firms were potentially missed. This could indicate a need for USCIS to actively seek out and incorporate small businesses in future, potentially longer-term contracts to foster broader economic participation and leverage diverse capabilities within the contracting ecosystem.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSSCCG-14-R-00027

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 506 ENTERPRISE DR STE 200, LOWELL, AR, 72745

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,284,095

Exercised Options: $30,284,095

Current Obligation: $30,284,095

Actual Outlays: $221,787

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG15D00001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline