DHS awards $5.5M contract for immigrant visa processing and validation services to PRIDE INDUSTRIES

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,544,164 ($5.5M)

Contractor: Pride Industries

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-06-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING AND A# VALIDATION

Place of Performance

Location: CORBIN, WHITLEY County, KENTUCKY, 40701

State: Kentucky Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.5 million to PRIDE INDUSTRIES for work described as: IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING AND A# VALIDATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential immigration services, indicating a need for specialized administrative support. 2. The contract's duration of 1460 days suggests a long-term requirement for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but requires careful monitoring of scope creep. 4. The specific NAICS code (561110) points to a focus on general office administrative services. 5. Geographic location in Kentucky may indicate a specific operational hub for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.54 million over approximately four years for administrative services is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the scope of work. Given the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status, a direct comparison to similar competitively awarded contracts is not feasible. The fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to manage costs, but the absence of a competitive process raises questions about whether the pricing represents the best value achievable. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and service levels expected.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, being awarded under a sole-source or 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' designation. This means there was likely a specific justification for not soliciting bids from multiple vendors, such as a unique capability or a critical, time-sensitive need. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore a wider range of potential providers and potentially negotiate more favorable terms through a bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that can arise from a competitive bidding process, where multiple companies vie for the contract, potentially driving down prices.

Public Impact

Benefits individuals seeking immigrant visas by ensuring the processing and validation of their documentation. Supports the operational efficiency of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in managing immigration processes. The services are likely concentrated in Kentucky, impacting the local administrative workforce and economy. Facilitates the legal immigration process, contributing to national demographic and economic goals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs than a fully competed contract.
Sole-source awards can limit transparency and public trust in government procurement.
Performance metrics and oversight are critical to ensure value for money in non-competed contracts.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, assuming scope is well-defined.
Long contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these critical immigration services.
Award to PRIDE INDUSTRIES indicates reliance on an established entity for sensitive government functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative services sector, specifically supporting government functions related to immigration. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561110, 'Office Administrative Services,' encompasses a broad range of support activities. While specific market size data for this niche within federal immigration processing is not readily available, the broader federal administrative services market is substantial. This contract represents a portion of the Department of Homeland Security's spending on essential operational support.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. The award was made directly to PRIDE INDUSTRIES, and further details on their small business utilization plan are not provided. Without a competitive bidding process that includes small business considerations, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security. Specific oversight mechanisms, such as performance reviews, audits, and reporting requirements, would be detailed within the contract's terms and conditions. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract performance data should be accessible through federal procurement databases. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General may also have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Immigrant Visa Processing
Alien Registration
Visa Services
Administrative Support Services
Department of Homeland Security Operations

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly managed.
Performance monitoring is critical due to lack of market pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.5 million to PRIDE INDUSTRIES. IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING AND A# VALIDATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRIDE INDUSTRIES.

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 $5.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific services are included under 'IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING AND VALIDATION' for this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'IMMIGRANT VISA PROCESSING AND VALIDATION' and falls under NAICS code 561110 (Office Administrative Services). While the exact scope is not detailed, this typically involves tasks such as data entry, document verification, record keeping, scheduling, and communication related to immigrant visa applications. It could encompass initial intake, preliminary checks, and ensuring all necessary documentation is present and correctly formatted before further processing by USCIS adjudicators. The validation aspect likely refers to confirming the authenticity and accuracy of submitted information and supporting documents.

What is the track record of PRIDE INDUSTRIES in performing similar government contracts?

Information on PRIDE INDUSTRIES' specific track record with similar government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. However, as a recipient of a definitive contract from the Department of Homeland Security, it suggests they have met certain qualifications or have a pre-existing relationship with the government. A deeper analysis would require examining their contract history, past performance reviews, and any reported issues or successes on federal awards, particularly those involving administrative or immigration-related services. Their ability to secure this contract, even on a sole-source basis, implies a level of capability deemed sufficient by USCIS.

How does the $5.54 million contract value compare to historical spending on immigrant visa processing by USCIS?

Comparing the $5.54 million contract value to historical USCIS spending on immigrant visa processing requires access to historical budget and contract data for USCIS. Without that specific data, it's challenging to provide a direct comparison. However, $5.54 million over approximately four years represents an average annual spend of roughly $1.385 million. This figure needs to be contextualized against the overall budget of USCIS and the volume of immigrant visa applications processed annually. If USCIS processes millions of applications, this contract value might represent a relatively small portion dedicated to administrative support for validation.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical immigration services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical immigration services include potential lack of cost-effectiveness, as competition is absent, which could lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a bidding process. There's also a risk of reduced innovation and service quality, as the contractor may face less pressure to improve services without competitive alternatives. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about transparency and fairness in the procurement process, potentially leading to public scrutiny. Ensuring robust contract management, performance monitoring, and clear deliverables becomes even more crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives adequate value.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the efficiency of immigrant visa processing?

This contract is expected to directly impact the efficiency of immigrant visa processing by providing dedicated administrative support for the crucial steps of processing and validation. By outsourcing or contracting these specific tasks to PRIDE INDUSTRIES, USCIS can potentially streamline workflows, reduce backlogs, and ensure that applications are handled consistently and accurately. The efficiency gains would depend on the contractor's performance, the clarity of the service level agreements, and how well these administrative functions integrate with the overall USCIS adjudicative process. Effective execution should lead to faster turnaround times for visa applications.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10030 FOOTHILLS BLVD, ROSEVILLE, CA, 95747

Business Categories: AbilityOne Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,976,214

Exercised Options: $5,544,164

Current Obligation: $5,544,164

Actual Outlays: $3,888,245

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline