DHS Awards $65M for Field Office Support Services to Sciolex Corp
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $65,009,160 ($65.0M)
Contractor: Sciolex Corporation
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2019-12-21
End Date: 2023-09-15
Contract Duration: 1,364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $47.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: FIELD OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20529
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $65.0 million to SCIOLEX CORPORATION for work described as: FIELD OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $65M over nearly 4 years. 2. Sciolex Corporation is the sole awardee. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials. 4. Services are classified under Office Administrative Services. 5. Awarded by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts is difficult without detailed labor categories and rates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process but with specific source exclusions. This method aims for competition while potentially narrowing the field.
Taxpayer Impact: The Time and Materials contract type poses a risk to taxpayers if not managed effectively, potentially leading to higher-than-expected costs.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operational support for USCIS field offices. Supports administrative functions critical to immigration services. Potential for cost increases due to Time and Materials pricing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing model
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized
- Long-term contract provides stability
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under administrative and support services, a broad category. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on scope and duration, but $65M over nearly four years for field office support is substantial.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on monitoring the Time and Materials expenditures to ensure they align with the estimated value and prevent cost creep. The contracting agency, USCIS, is responsible for ensuring performance and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Office Administrative Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Limited competition due to source exclusion.
- Contract duration of nearly 4 years.
Tags
office-administrative-services, department-of-homeland-security, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $65.0 million to SCIOLEX CORPORATION. FIELD OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES
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 $65.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-12-21. End: 2023-09-15.
What specific administrative services are included in this contract, and how do they align with USCIS's mission needs?
The contract covers 'Office Administrative Services' (NAICS 561110), which typically includes general office management, record-keeping, scheduling, and communication support. For USCIS, these services are crucial for the day-to-day functioning of its field offices, facilitating case processing, public inquiries, and internal operations. The specific tasks would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work, ensuring alignment with USCIS's operational requirements.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing structure for this contract?
The primary risk of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor. Without robust oversight and defined ceilings, contractors may have less incentive to control costs, leading to expenditures exceeding initial estimates. This necessitates diligent monitoring of hours and expenses by the contracting officer's representative (COR).
How effective is the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method in ensuring value for taxpayer money in this context?
This procurement method aims to balance competition with specific needs, potentially allowing for specialized capabilities while still seeking competitive bids. Its effectiveness in ensuring value depends on the justification for excluding certain sources and the rigor of the competition among the remaining eligible bidders. If the exclusions were justified and the competition was robust, it could yield good value; however, it inherently limits the potential bidder pool compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
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: 70SBUR19R00000043
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
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: $65,009,160
Exercised Options: $65,009,160
Current Obligation: $65,009,160
Actual Outlays: $12,145,027
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
Start Date: 2019-12-21
Current End Date: 2023-09-15
Potential End Date: 2023-09-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-04-18
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