DHS awards $80M US-VISIT contract to Accenture LLP for business support services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $80,105,212 ($80.1M)

Contractor: Accenture LLP

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2004-09-10

End Date: 2010-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,997 days

Daily Burn Rate: $40.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: US-VISIT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $80.1 million to ACCENTURE LLP for work described as: US-VISIT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Accenture LLP for $80.1M. 2. Services fall under 'All Other Business Support Services' NAICS code 561499. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Contract duration spans from 2004 to 2010.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed effectively. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult without more detailed service descriptions and performance metrics.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

Full and open competition was used, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful oversight to ensure fair pricing and prevent cost overruns.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers by promoting competitive pricing. The final cost will depend on the effectiveness of award fee criteria and contract management.

Public Impact

Supports the US-VISIT program, a critical homeland security initiative. Contract awarded to a single large business, Accenture LLP. Services provided over a six-year period.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Award Fee structure can incentivize higher costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Long contract duration may not reflect current needs.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Supports a significant government program (US-VISIT).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under business support services, a broad category. Benchmarking is challenging without specific service details, but $80M over six years for a program like US-VISIT suggests a substantial operational component.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to a large business (Accenture LLP) and there is no indication of small business participation in this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) necessitates robust oversight to ensure performance and cost control. The duration of the contract also implies a need for ongoing monitoring of evolving requirements.

Related Government Programs

All Other Business Support Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPAF structure.
Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
Long contract duration may not align with evolving needs.
No clear small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $80.1 million to ACCENTURE LLP. US-VISIT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $80.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2004-09-10. End: 2010-02-28.

What specific business support services were provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to the US-VISIT program's objectives?

The contract details are limited, but 'All Other Business Support Services' typically encompass administrative, operational, and management support. For US-VISIT, this could include tasks like program management, logistical support, data processing, or call center operations, all crucial for the program's functioning.

How effectively was the Cost Plus Award Fee structure managed to ensure value for money and control costs?

Assessing the effectiveness of the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) management is difficult without access to award fee determinations and performance reviews. CPAF contracts require stringent oversight to ensure that award fees are tied to measurable performance and that costs remain reasonable.

What was the impact of utilizing full and open competition on the final contract price and service quality?

Full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing and potentially higher quality services as multiple vendors vie for the contract. However, the specific benefits realized depend on the number and capability of the bidders and the clarity of the solicitation requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › All Other Business Support Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

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

Address: 11951 FREEDOM DR, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $191,867,850

Exercised Options: $115,446,868

Current Obligation: $80,105,212

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCHQ04D00096

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline