DHS awards $194M contract for Application Support Centers operations and facilities management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $194,034,808 ($194.0M)

Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2026-06-28

Contract Duration: 1,003 days

Daily Burn Rate: $193.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: APPLICATION SUPPORT CENTERS (ASC) OPS AND FACILITIES SERVICES WILL PROVIDE, ADMINISTER AND MANAGE (ASCS) AND RELATED OPERATIONS COLLECTING APPLICANT BIOMETRIC AND BIOGRAPHICAL DATA.

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $194.0 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: APPLICATION SUPPORT CENTERS (ASC) OPS AND FACILITIES SERVICES WILL PROVIDE, ADMINISTER AND MANAGE (ASCS) AND RELATED OPERATIONS COLLECTING APPLICANT BIOMETRIC AND BIOGRAPHICAL DATA. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on managing critical biometric and biographical data collection operations. 2. Amentum Services, Inc. secured the definitive contract. 3. The contract duration spans over 1000 days, indicating a long-term operational need. 4. Services include administration and management of Application Support Centers (ASCs). 5. The contract is a firm-fixed-price type, providing cost certainty. 6. This award represents significant investment in immigration processing infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $194 million over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for comprehensive facilities management and operational support of critical data collection centers. Benchmarking against similar large-scale government IT and facilities management contracts suggests this pricing is within expected ranges, especially considering the sensitive nature of the data handled and the operational complexity. The firm-fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overruns for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 5 bidders suggests a competitive environment, which typically leads to better pricing and service offerings for the government. This level of competition is a positive sign for price discovery and ensures the government receives value for its investment.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through vendor rivalry and encouraging innovative solutions. It ensures that the contract is awarded to the most capable and cost-effective provider, maximizing the use of public funds.

Public Impact

Benefits U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by ensuring the smooth operation of ASCs. Delivers essential services for collecting applicant biometric and biographical data, crucial for immigration processing. Geographic impact is nationwide, supporting USCIS operations across various locations. Workforce implications include potential job creation and retention within Amentum Services, Inc. and its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if follow-on contracts are not competitively bid.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical data operations could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring data security and privacy compliance will be paramount throughout the contract lifecycle.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, long-term partnership for essential services.
Contractor has a track record in government services, implying experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on facilities management and operational support for IT-enabled services. The market for such services is substantial, with numerous government agencies relying on contractors for managing critical infrastructure and data operations. Comparable spending benchmarks for large-scale IT operations and facilities management contracts often run into hundreds of millions of dollars annually, making this $194 million award significant but not out of line for the scope of services.

Small Business Impact

While the contract details do not explicitly mention small business set-asides or subcontracting goals, the 'full and open competition' nature suggests that small businesses could have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors. It is crucial to monitor subcontracting plans to ensure small businesses have opportunities to contribute to this significant federal spending, thereby fostering a diverse supplier ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, with performance standards expected to be met. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases, though detailed operational performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Operations Support
Federal IT Infrastructure Management
Biometric Data Management Systems
Government Facilities Operations and Maintenance
USCIS Application Processing Support

Risk Flags

Data Security and Privacy Risk
Contractor Performance Risk
Operational Continuity Risk
Dependency on Critical Infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $194.0 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. APPLICATION SUPPORT CENTERS (ASC) OPS AND FACILITIES SERVICES WILL PROVIDE, ADMINISTER AND MANAGE (ASCS) AND RELATED OPERATIONS COLLECTING APPLICANT BIOMETRIC AND BIOGRAPHICAL DATA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMENTUM SERVICES, 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 $194.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2026-06-28.

What is Amentum Services, Inc.'s track record with similar large-scale government IT and facilities management contracts?

Amentum Services, Inc. has a significant history of performing large-scale government contracts, particularly in areas of facility operations, maintenance, and IT support. They have previously held contracts with various federal agencies, including the Department of Defense and Department of Energy, managing complex infrastructure and operational services. Their experience often includes managing secure facilities and critical systems, which aligns with the requirements of this DHS contract. Reviewing past performance evaluations and contract close-outs for similar awards would provide deeper insight into their reliability, efficiency, and ability to meet stringent government requirements, including security and data handling protocols.

How does the $194 million contract value compare to historical spending on Application Support Centers (ASCs) operations?

The $194 million contract value represents a substantial investment over its approximately 3-year duration. To assess its comparability, one would need to examine historical spending data for USCIS ASC operations and similar biometric data collection facilities. If previous contracts for comparable services were significantly lower or higher, it would warrant further investigation into the reasons. Factors such as inflation, expanded service scope, increased applicant volumes, or changes in technology could justify a higher value. Conversely, a significant increase without clear justification might indicate potential overpricing or scope creep. Analyzing the per-year cost ($~65 million/year) against previous periods is key.

What are the primary risks associated with managing biometric and biographical data collection operations under this contract?

The primary risks associated with managing biometric and biographical data collection operations are centered around data security, privacy, and integrity. A breach or compromise of this sensitive information could have severe consequences, including identity theft, national security risks, and significant reputational damage to DHS. Operational risks include system downtime, data processing errors, and failures in maintaining facility security and accessibility. Contractor performance failures, such as inadequate staffing, insufficient training, or non-compliance with security protocols, could disrupt critical immigration processes. Ensuring robust cybersecurity measures, strict access controls, and continuous monitoring are essential to mitigate these risks.

How effective are the current Application Support Centers (ASCs) in processing applicant data, and how will this contract enhance that effectiveness?

The effectiveness of current ASCs in processing applicant data is a critical performance metric for USCIS. This contract aims to enhance effectiveness by providing comprehensive operational and facilities management, ensuring the ASCs are well-maintained, secure, and efficiently run. This includes the administration and management of the centers themselves, as well as the systems used for collecting biometric and biographical data. By ensuring reliable infrastructure and operational support, the contract should lead to more consistent data collection, reduced processing times, and improved applicant experiences. Performance metrics within the contract, such as uptime, data accuracy rates, and processing throughput, will be key indicators of enhanced effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for facilities management and IT support services within the Department of Homeland Security?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), encompassing agencies like USCIS, has consistently allocated significant portions of its budget to facilities management and IT support services. Historical spending patterns reveal a trend of increasing reliance on contracted services for these areas due to their complexity and the need for specialized expertise. Annual spending often runs into billions of dollars across DHS for IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, data center operations, and physical facility maintenance. This $194 million award for ASC operations fits within this broader pattern of outsourcing critical support functions to leverage industry capabilities and manage large-scale operational requirements effectively.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the overall efficiency and timeliness of immigration application processing?

This contract has direct implications for the efficiency and timeliness of immigration application processing. The Application Support Centers (ASCs) are a crucial touchpoint for applicants, where essential biometric and biographical data are collected. By ensuring these centers are operated and maintained effectively, the contract aims to streamline the data collection process. Improved facilities, reliable technology, and efficient operational management can reduce wait times for applicants, minimize data errors, and accelerate the transfer of information to downstream processing systems. Conversely, any performance issues with the contractor could lead to delays, backlogs, and a negative impact on the overall USCIS mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Facilities Management Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 70SBUR23R00000004

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Pae-Parsons Global Logistics Services, LLC

Address: 4800 WESTFIELDS BLVD STE 400, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $511,303,668

Exercised Options: $267,765,630

Current Obligation: $194,034,808

Actual Outlays: $115,131,696

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $5,944,109

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline