DHS Awards $47.6M for TSA Recruitment & Hiring Services to Accenture Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $47,562,441 ($47.6M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2018-03-28

End Date: 2019-03-31

Contract Duration: 368 days

Daily Burn Rate: $129.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF TASK ORDER 70T01018F5EHRM025 AGAINST THE RECRUITMENT AND HIRING (R&H) HSTS01-16-D-HRM037 IDIQ CONTRACT IS TO FUND OPTION PERIOD TWO OPERATIONS&MAINTENANCE SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $47.6 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF TASK ORDER 70T01018F5EHRM025 AGAINST THE RECRUITMENT AND HIRING (R&H) HSTS01-16-D-HRM037 IDIQ CONTRACT IS TO FUND OPTION PERIOD TWO OPERATIONS&MAINTENANCE SERVICES. Key points: 1. Accenture Federal Services secured a $47.6M contract for TSA's recruitment and hiring operations. 2. The contract is for Option Period Two of the R&H HSTS01-16-D-HRM037 IDIQ. 3. This award falls under Human Resources Consulting Services (NAICS 541612). 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 5. The period of performance is from March 28, 2018, to March 31, 2019.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $47.6M for one year of operations and maintenance services appears reasonable for specialized HR consulting. Benchmarking against similar large-scale recruitment contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Awarded under full and open competition, this method generally promotes competitive pricing. The IDIQ structure allows for task orders to be competed, ensuring fair market value is sought for each specific requirement.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used efficiently through a competitive process for essential government HR functions.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational support for TSA's critical recruitment and hiring processes. Supports the agency's ability to attract and onboard necessary personnel. Maintains continuity in human capital management for a key security agency. The contract value represents a significant investment in TSA's workforce development.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is relatively short (one year), potentially leading to frequent re-competition and transition costs.
Reliance on a single vendor for a critical function like recruitment could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Supports a vital government function (TSA hiring) with a clear operational need.
The contract is part of a larger IDIQ, allowing for potential future competition and flexibility.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically HR consulting. Government spending on HR services is essential for maintaining workforce capabilities across agencies. Benchmarks for similar HR consulting contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Accenture Federal Services LLC, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific task order, which is common for large prime contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made against an existing IDIQ contract, suggesting prior vetting and oversight. Task orders under IDIQs are typically subject to review, but specific oversight details for this order are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Human Resources Consulting Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Transportation Security Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if performance is satisfactory but competition is limited in future.
Short contract duration may lead to inefficiencies and increased administrative burden.
Lack of transparency on specific performance metrics and evaluation criteria.
No explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals for this task order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $47.6 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. THE PURPOSE OF TASK ORDER 70T01018F5EHRM025 AGAINST THE RECRUITMENT AND HIRING (R&H) HSTS01-16-D-HRM037 IDIQ CONTRACT IS TO FUND OPTION PERIOD TWO OPERATIONS&MAINTENANCE SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $47.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-03-28. End: 2019-03-31.

What is the specific scope of 'operations & maintenance services' for recruitment and hiring, and how does it align with TSA's current needs?

Operations and maintenance services likely encompass the ongoing management, support, and enhancement of the recruitment and hiring systems and processes. This could include help desk support, system updates, data management, and process optimization. The alignment with TSA's needs would depend on their strategic workforce planning and any specific challenges they face in attracting and retaining talent in critical security roles.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate bids under the full and open competition for this task order?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the provided data, typical evaluation criteria for such contracts often include technical approach, past performance, management approach, and price. For recruitment services, KPIs might focus on time-to-hire, candidate quality, cost-per-hire, and applicant satisfaction. The government would have assessed how well each bidder's proposed solution met these performance expectations.

How does the $47.6M cost compare to previous option periods or similar contracts for TSA's recruitment and hiring support?

Without data on previous option periods or comparable contracts, a direct cost comparison is difficult. However, the value represents a significant annual investment. Factors influencing this cost could include inflation, increased hiring needs, or expanded service requirements. A detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing this award to alternatives or historical spending would be necessary for a thorough assessment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Accenture Public Limited Company (UEI: 985015354)

Address: 800 NORTH GLEBE RD #300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $47,562,441

Exercised Options: $47,562,441

Current Obligation: $47,562,441

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 70

Total Subaward Amount: $38,877,596

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSTS0116DHRM037

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline