DHS awards $76M for USCIS identity services, with 15 bids indicating robust competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $76,156,617 ($76.2M)

Contractor: Metroibr JV LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-12-09

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,422 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR IDENTITY SERVICES FOR U.S CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKLEDGE, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32955

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $76.2 million to METROIBR JV LLC for work described as: ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR IDENTITY SERVICES FOR U.S CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $76.16 million over approximately four years suggests significant investment in identity management. 2. The large number of bids (15) points to a competitive market for these specialized IT services. 3. A 'Time and Materials' contract type can pose cost control risks if not closely managed. 4. The contract supports critical functions for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, impacting national security and immigration processes. 5. This award falls within the custom computer programming services NAICS code, a common area for federal IT spending. 6. The geographic focus on Florida (ST/SN) may indicate specific operational needs or data center locations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's 'Time and Materials' pricing structure presents a potential risk for cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking the per-unit cost is difficult without more granular data on labor categories and hours. However, the competitive nature of the award (15 bidders) suggests that pricing was likely scrutinized. The total award value of $76.16 million over nearly four years needs to be assessed against the scope and criticality of identity services for USCIS.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, attracting a significant number of bidders (15). This high level of competition is a positive indicator, suggesting that the government sought a broad range of qualified vendors and likely received competitive proposals. The large number of bids generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers, as it increases the likelihood of receiving a fair price for essential IT services and encourages innovation among contractors.

Public Impact

Citizens and individuals interacting with USCIS benefit from secure and efficient identity verification processes. The contract ensures the continued operation and enhancement of critical IT systems for immigration and citizenship services. Geographic impact is primarily focused on Florida, potentially supporting specific USCIS facilities or operations within the state. The contract supports IT professionals and potentially other roles involved in custom computer programming and identity management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
The duration of the contract (nearly 4 years) requires ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical identity services, despite competition, necessitates strong oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a healthy market and competitive pricing.
A significant number of bidders (15) suggests strong vendor interest and capability.
Supports essential government functions related to national security and immigration.
Contract duration aligns with the need for sustained support of complex IT systems.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Custom Computer Programming Services sector (NAICS 541511), a vital segment of the federal IT market. This sector encompasses services related to designing, developing, and implementing software and IT systems. Federal spending in this area is substantial, driven by the need for modernizing legacy systems, enhancing cybersecurity, and supporting mission-critical operations across various agencies. Comparable contracts often involve significant dollar values due to the complexity and strategic importance of IT infrastructure.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While the prime contractor, METROIBR JV LLC, may be a joint venture, its small business status or subcontracting plans are not detailed here. Without specific small business subcontracting goals or reporting, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be necessary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and specifically the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous oversight of labor hours, rates, and material costs is crucial. Transparency is facilitated by the contract being publicly awarded under full and open competition. The DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this award.

Related Government Programs

USCIS Case Management Systems
DHS Identity Management Programs
Federal Cloud Computing Services
Custom Software Development Contracts
IT Support Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders effectiveness assessment.
Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed proactively.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical identity services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $76.2 million to METROIBR JV LLC. ENGINEERING SUPPORT FOR IDENTITY SERVICES FOR U.S CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METROIBR JV LLC.

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 $76.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-09. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of METROIBR JV LLC in performing similar federal IT contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of METROIBR JV LLC in performing federal IT contracts, particularly those involving identity services for agencies like USCIS, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), contract history, and any reported issues or successes. The fact that they were awarded this significant contract suggests they met the qualifications during the bidding process. However, without access to their detailed performance history, it's difficult to definitively gauge their reliability and expertise for this specific task.

How does the awarded value compare to similar identity management contracts within DHS or other federal agencies?

Comparing the $76.16 million award value for USCIS identity services requires benchmarking against similar contracts. Federal IT contracts, especially those for critical infrastructure like identity management, can vary widely in cost based on scope, duration, and specific technological requirements. Contracts for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) supporting large agencies often run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar objectives (identity services, citizen data management) and similar contract types (Time and Materials, or potentially others if scope differs) awarded around the same period. The 15 bids suggest market rates were competitive.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'Time and Materials' contract type for this project?

The primary risk associated with a 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type for identity services is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If project scope creeps, inefficiencies arise, or labor hours are not meticulously tracked and managed, the total cost can significantly exceed initial estimates. For critical systems like identity management, where requirements can evolve, robust government oversight, detailed work breakdown structures, and strong project management are essential to mitigate these risks and ensure the contract remains within budget.

How effective are the current identity services for USCIS, and what improvements does this contract aim to deliver?

The provided data does not contain information on the current effectiveness of USCIS identity services or the specific improvements this contract aims to deliver. This contract likely supports the ongoing operation, maintenance, and potential modernization of systems that manage the identities of individuals interacting with USCIS. Improvements could range from enhanced security features, faster processing times, better data accuracy, or integration with other government identity platforms. A thorough assessment would require reviewing USCIS's strategic IT plans, performance metrics for existing systems, and the detailed statement of work for this contract.

What has been the historical spending trend for identity management services at USCIS or DHS?

The provided data does not include historical spending trends for identity management services at USCIS or DHS. To analyze this, one would need to access historical contract databases (like USASpending.gov) and filter for relevant keywords (identity management, biometrics, citizen services) and agencies (USCIS, DHS) over several fiscal years. Understanding past spending patterns can reveal whether investment in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and can help contextualize the current $76.16 million award. It also helps identify potential trends in contract types or service providers.

What are the implications of awarding this contract to a joint venture (METROIBR JV LLC)?

Awarding this contract to a joint venture, METROIBR JV LLC, suggests that the government sought to leverage the combined capabilities and resources of its constituent companies. Joint ventures are often formed to compete for large contracts that might be beyond the capacity of a single small or medium-sized business, or to bring specialized expertise together. For taxpayers, the implications depend on how effectively the joint venture operates. If the JV structure leads to better performance, innovation, or cost efficiencies, it's beneficial. However, it can also introduce complexities in management and accountability. The specific structure and ownership of the JV would influence its impact on small business subcontracting goals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70SBUR22Q00000223

Offers Received: 15

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1017 PATHFINDER WAY STE 100, ROCKLEDGE, FL, 32955

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $99,311,893

Exercised Options: $76,156,617

Current Obligation: $76,156,617

Actual Outlays: $49,699,837

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA22D00AB

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline