DHS awards $263M contract for USCIS records operations, with 6 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $262,862,994 ($262.9M)

Contractor: Brillient Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2026-08-13

Contract Duration: 1,778 days

Daily Burn Rate: $147.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER (NBC) RECORDS OPERATION CENTER (ROC)- CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM PRE-PROCESSING ACTIVITIES, ENSURING APPLICATIONS/PETITIONS HAVE COMPLETED SECURITY CHECKS AND CASE PREPARATION FOR ADJUDICATION BY AN OFFICER/ADJUDICATOR READY.

Place of Performance

Location: LEES SUMMIT, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64063

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $262.9 million to BRILLIENT CORPORATION for work described as: NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER (NBC) RECORDS OPERATION CENTER (ROC)- CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM PRE-PROCESSING ACTIVITIES, ENSURING APPLICATIONS/PETITIONS HAVE COMPLETED SECURITY CHECKS AND CASE PREPARATION FOR ADJUDICATION BY AN OFFICER/ADJUDICATOR READY. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on pre-processing applications and petitions for adjudication. 2. Competition level suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract type is a definitive contract with time and materials pricing. 4. Performance period extends through August 2026. 5. The contractor, BRILLIENT CORPORATION, will support the National Benefits Center. 6. This contract is categorized under Facilities Support Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $262.9 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for the scope of services, which involves critical pre-adjudication processing for USCIS. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government support services contracts for records management and processing indicates that the overall award value is within expected ranges. The time and materials pricing structure, while requiring careful oversight, allows for flexibility in adapting to fluctuating workloads. Further analysis of the specific labor categories and rates would be needed for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple vendors were allowed to bid. With six bidders participating, the competition level suggests a healthy market interest and provides a basis for price discovery. The agency sought proposals from qualified offerors, and the evaluation process likely considered technical approach, past performance, and price. The presence of multiple bidders generally leads to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition among six bidders is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received a competitive offer for essential services.

Public Impact

Benefits U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by ensuring efficient processing of applications and petitions. Supports the National Benefits Center (NBC) in its mission to adjudicate immigration benefits. Impacts individuals seeking immigration benefits by facilitating timely case processing. The services delivered are crucial for the operational efficiency of a key federal agency. Workforce implications include potential job creation by the contractor, BRILLIENT CORPORATION.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and materials pricing requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Scope creep could increase costs if not managed effectively.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical processing functions poses a risk.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a competitive award process.
Multiple bidders indicate market interest and potential for quality service.
The contract supports a vital government function, contributing to national security and immigration processes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, which is a broad category encompassing a range of services necessary for the operation and maintenance of government facilities and administrative functions. The market for these services is competitive, with many companies offering specialized support. The value of this contract, at approximately $263 million, positions it as a significant award within this sector, particularly for services directly supporting critical government operations like immigration processing. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale records management and administrative support contracts with federal agencies often range in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business set-asides were not utilized for this contract (sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without specific subcontracting goals or reporting, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. However, large prime contracts often present subcontracting opportunities, and it would be beneficial to ascertain if BRILLIENT CORPORATION has plans to engage small businesses for specialized support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contracting officers and program managers. The definitive contract structure and time and materials pricing necessitate robust monitoring of performance, hours, and costs to ensure value for money and prevent overruns. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is not detailed, the DHS OIG typically has oversight over DHS contracts, including those managed by USCIS.

Related Government Programs

USCIS Application Processing Support
Federal Records Management Services
Department of Homeland Security Administrative Support
National Benefits Center Operations
Immigration Adjudication Support Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Pricing
Potential for Scope Creep
Dependence on Contractor Performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $262.9 million to BRILLIENT CORPORATION. NATIONAL BENEFITS CENTER (NBC) RECORDS OPERATION CENTER (ROC)- CONTRACTOR SHALL PERFORM PRE-PROCESSING ACTIVITIES, ENSURING APPLICATIONS/PETITIONS HAVE COMPLETED SECURITY CHECKS AND CASE PREPARATION FOR ADJUDICATION BY AN OFFICER/ADJUDICATOR READY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BRILLIENT 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 $262.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-08-13.

What is the contractor's track record with similar government contracts, particularly within DHS or USCIS?

Information regarding BRILLIENT CORPORATION's specific track record with similar government contracts, especially within DHS or USCIS, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous awards. Federal procurement databases and contract award histories can provide insights into the company's experience with large-scale support services, records management, and pre-adjudication processing. Understanding their performance on prior contracts is crucial for evaluating their capability to successfully execute this current award and manage the associated risks.

How does the per-unit cost or labor rates compare to market benchmarks for similar services?

The provided data does not include specific per-unit costs or detailed labor rates, making a direct comparison to market benchmarks challenging. The contract is structured as Time and Materials (T&M), which means costs are based on actual labor hours and material costs incurred. To assess value for money, a detailed analysis of the contractor's proposed labor categories, hourly rates, and any material markups would be necessary. These rates should then be benchmarked against industry standards for similar roles and services within the federal contracting space, considering factors like geographic location and required skill sets. Without this granular data, a definitive assessment of pricing competitiveness is not possible.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance measurement plan for this contract. Typically, for services involving application pre-processing and records operations, KPIs would focus on metrics such as processing times, accuracy rates, completeness of case files, security compliance, and overall throughput. The government's performance evaluation would likely involve regular reviews of these metrics, contractor reporting, and potentially site visits. The contract's success hinges on the contractor's ability to meet or exceed these undefined performance standards consistently throughout the contract period.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar records operation and pre-adjudication services at USCIS?

The provided data does not offer historical spending patterns for similar services at USCIS. To establish such a pattern, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded by USCIS for records management, application intake, and pre-adjudication processing. This analysis would involve identifying contract vehicles, award amounts, durations, and the contractors involved over several fiscal years. Understanding historical spending provides context for the current award's value, identifies trends in service needs, and can highlight potential areas for cost savings or efficiency improvements in future procurements.

Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor's ability to deliver on this contract's requirements?

The provided data does not explicitly detail any identified risks associated with BRILLIENT CORPORATION's ability to deliver on this contract. However, general risks inherent in large-scale government support contracts include potential for schedule delays, cost overruns (especially with T&M contracts), performance deficiencies, and challenges in maintaining security and data integrity. A thorough risk assessment would involve reviewing the contractor's past performance, financial stability, technical capabilities, and the complexity of the services required. The government's oversight mechanisms are critical for mitigating these potential risks throughout the contract lifecycle.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support 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: 70SBUR21R00000009

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1893 METRO CENTER DR STE 210, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $334,760,684

Exercised Options: $262,862,994

Current Obligation: $262,862,994

Actual Outlays: $149,464,501

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline