DHS USCIS Awards $140M for Service Center Operations Support, Full & Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $140,278,531 ($140.3M)

Contractor: Sciolex Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2019-09-30

End Date: 2023-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,219 days

Daily Burn Rate: $115.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS) GROUP A: VSC/CSC

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20529

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $140.3 million to SCIOLEX CORPORATION for work described as: SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS) GROUP A: VSC/CSC Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $140M for essential operational support. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration spans over three years, indicating a long-term need. 4. No small business participation noted, which could be a missed opportunity.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $140M over approximately 3.3 years suggests a substantial investment in operational support. Benchmarking against similar large-scale administrative service contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the competitive award method provides some assurance of reasonable pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a robust process to solicit bids from all qualified vendors. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives best value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds spent on these critical services.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of vital service centers for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Supports administrative functions crucial for processing immigration and citizenship applications. Impacts the efficiency and timeliness of services provided to the public.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Significant contract value awarded.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under administrative and support services, a broad category essential for government agency operations. The spending benchmark for such services can vary widely based on scope and complexity, but $140M indicates a significant operational requirement.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Agencies should explore opportunities to include small businesses in future procurements of this nature to foster economic growth and competition.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of full and open competition suggests a structured procurement process. Ongoing oversight would focus on performance metrics, adherence to contract terms, and ensuring continued value for taxpayer money.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Long contract duration may lead to vendor complacency.
Potential for cost creep if not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $140.3 million to SCIOLEX CORPORATION. SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS) GROUP A: VSC/CSC

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIOLEX CORPORATION.

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 $140.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-30. End: 2023-01-31.

What specific services are included under 'Service Center Operations Support Services (SCOSS)' and how do they directly impact USCIS's mission?

SCOSS likely encompasses a range of administrative and operational functions supporting USCIS service centers, such as call center operations, data entry, case processing support, mailroom management, and facility support. These services are critical for the efficient and timely adjudication of immigration and citizenship applications, directly impacting the agency's ability to fulfill its mission of managing the nation's immigration system.

Given the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method, what potential risks were mitigated, and were there any unique challenges in this procurement?

This award method mitigates risks associated with sole-source or limited competition by ensuring a broad pool of potential bidders. It aims to prevent price gouging and ensure the best value. Challenges might include ensuring adequate market research to identify all capable sources and managing a potentially complex evaluation process with numerous proposals.

How does the $140M contract value compare to historical spending on similar USCIS operational support services, and what does this indicate about efficiency?

Without historical data, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the substantial value suggests either an expansion of services, increased operational demands, or potentially higher costs compared to previous periods. A detailed analysis of service scope changes and inflation adjustments would be needed to assess efficiency trends accurately.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70SBUR19R00000002

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4511 SINGER CT STE 100, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $158,787,891

Exercised Options: $140,278,531

Current Obligation: $140,278,531

Actual Outlays: $14,893,652

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSHQDC16DP2022

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline