USCIS awards $4.6M contract for financial and technical support services to FI Consulting, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,628,893 ($4.6M)

Contractor: FI Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-11-03

End Date: 2025-11-02

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FINANCIAL, ANALYTICAL, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USCIS OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (OCFO).

Place of Performance

Location: CAMP SPRINGS, HOWARD County, MARYLAND, 20588

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.6 million to FI CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: FINANCIAL, ANALYTICAL, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USCIS OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (OCFO). Key points: 1. Contract provides essential financial, analytical, and technical support to USCIS's Office of the Chief Financial Officer. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. FI Consulting, Inc. secured this award, suggesting a strong proposal and competitive positioning. 4. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) allows for sustained support and potential for long-term impact. 5. The firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 6. This award falls under 'Other Accounting Services,' a broad category within professional services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $4.6 million over three years for specialized financial and technical support appears reasonable given the scope of services for a federal agency like USCIS. Benchmarking against similar contracts for financial consulting and analytical support within the Department of Homeland Security or other large agencies would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

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,' which implies that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 7 bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive environment like this typically drives down prices and encourages innovative solutions, benefiting the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract suggests that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple firms vied to offer the best value. This process helps ensure that USCIS receives high-quality services at a competitive market price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the USCIS Office of the Chief Financial Officer, which will receive critical support for its financial operations. Services delivered include financial analysis, technical support, and advisory functions to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of USCIS's financial management. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of USCIS, supporting its national mission. The contract supports specialized roles, potentially impacting a workforce skilled in financial analysis and government accounting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if services are highly specialized and difficult to transition.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical financial functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
Scope creep could lead to cost increases if not managed diligently, despite the fixed-price nature.

Positive Signals

Award to an established firm (FI Consulting, Inc.) suggests a track record of capability.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition indicates a competitive market and potentially better pricing.
Long-term contract (3 years) allows for continuity of essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on accounting and financial advisory services. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise to government agencies. The total federal spending on 'Other Accounting Services' (NAICS 541219) is substantial, and this contract represents a portion of USCIS's investment in maintaining robust financial operations. Comparable contracts often involve support for budgeting, financial reporting, audit preparation, and system implementation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, FI Consulting, Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are limited to potential subcontracting roles, if any are utilized by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer's representative (COR) within USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security's contracting office. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by placing cost risk on the contractor. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. While specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction for this particular contract isn't detailed, the DHS OIG has broad authority to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse within the department.

Related Government Programs

USCIS Financial Management Services
DHS Financial Systems Modernization
Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) Support
Government Accountability Office (GAO) Audits

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting critical financial operations.
Risk of key personnel turnover affecting service continuity.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities related to handling sensitive financial data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.6 million to FI CONSULTING, INC.. FINANCIAL, ANALYTICAL, AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR USCIS OFFICE OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (OCFO).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FI CONSULTING, 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 $4.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-03. End: 2025-11-02.

What is the track record of FI Consulting, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

FI Consulting, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, particularly in financial management, analytics, and IT support. A review of federal procurement data would reveal their past performance ratings, contract values, and agencies served. Their ability to win this contract suggests they have met USCIS's requirements for experience and capability. Further analysis would involve examining past performance evaluations and any reported issues on previous contracts to assess their reliability and quality of service delivery in similar engagements.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar financial support contracts within DHS?

The awarded amount of approximately $4.6 million over three years for financial, analytical, and technical support services to USCIS's OCFO is within a typical range for such specialized services within a large federal agency. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to benchmark against contracts of similar scope, duration, and complexity awarded by other components of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or comparable agencies like the IRS or SSA. Factors such as the specific deliverables, required expertise, and the competitive landscape influence pricing. Without direct comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but it appears aligned with market rates for professional services.

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

While the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are not detailed in the provided award abstract, contracts of this nature typically include metrics related to the timeliness and accuracy of financial reporting, the effectiveness of technical support provided, adherence to project milestones, and overall client satisfaction. Performance would likely be monitored by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) through regular progress reports, performance reviews, and potentially service level agreements (SLAs). The firm fixed-price nature incentivizes the contractor to meet these performance standards efficiently.

What is the historical spending trend for financial and technical support services at USCIS?

Analyzing historical spending trends for financial and technical support services at USCIS would require accessing multi-year procurement data. This contract, valued at approximately $1.5 million annually, represents a significant but likely consistent investment in maintaining the OCFO's capabilities. Past spending patterns might reveal whether USCIS has relied on similar contracts, the number of contractors utilized, and the average contract values. Understanding these trends can help assess if current spending is anomalous, indicative of increased needs, or part of a stable, long-term strategy for financial support.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on FI Consulting, Inc. for these critical financial functions?

Potential risks associated with relying on FI Consulting, Inc. include performance deficiencies, where the contractor may fail to meet contractual obligations, leading to disruptions in USCIS's financial operations. Another risk is key personnel turnover, which could impact institutional knowledge and service continuity. Given the specialized nature of financial and technical support, there's also a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to switch providers if necessary. Furthermore, cybersecurity risks are inherent in any contract involving access to sensitive financial data, requiring robust security protocols from the contractor.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services › Other Accounting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70SBUR22R00000021

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1500 WILSON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,628,893

Exercised Options: $4,628,893

Current Obligation: $4,628,893

Actual Outlays: $4,439,024

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS204

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline