State Department awards $38.15M for Central America Visa Services to CGI Federal Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $38,152,868 ($38.2M)

Contractor: CGI Federal Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2012-01-09

End Date: 2018-01-08

Contract Duration: 2,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: GSS CENTRAL AMERICA FOR VISA SERVICES (INCLUDES GUATEMALA, COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS, PANAMA, AND NICARAGUA.

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22033

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $38.2 million to CGI FEDERAL INC. for work described as: GSS CENTRAL AMERICA FOR VISA SERVICES (INCLUDES GUATEMALA, COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS, PANAMA, AND NICARAGUA. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to CGI Federal Inc. for visa services across multiple Central American countries. 2. The contract spans 6 years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a robust price discovery process. 4. The sector appears to be IT services, specifically computer facilities management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award value of $38.15M over 6 years averages to approximately $6.36M annually. Without specific benchmarks for similar multi-country visa processing contracts, it's difficult to definitively assess pricing, but it appears reasonable for the scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically leads to competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value. This method allows all eligible vendors to bid, fostering a healthy market.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential diplomatic and consular services, ensuring efficient processing of visa applications for individuals traveling to or from Central America.

Public Impact

Facilitates international travel and diplomatic relations by ensuring smooth visa processing. Supports U.S. foreign policy objectives in Central America through efficient consular operations. Provides essential services that impact individuals seeking to travel to the U.S. from the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to long contract duration.
Geopolitical instability in Central America could impact service delivery.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical services across multiple countries.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Long-term contract provides stability for service provision.
Services are essential for diplomatic and travel functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under IT services, specifically Computer Facilities Management Services (NAICS 541513). Spending in this area is substantial across government agencies, supporting critical infrastructure and operational needs. Benchmarks vary widely based on service scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the contract was not awarded to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While this specific contract may not have directly benefited small businesses, the overall IT services sector often involves subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms would include performance monitoring, quality assurance, and financial reviews to ensure compliance and effective service delivery.

Related Government Programs

Computer Facilities Management Services
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration (6 years) increases risk of vendor lock-in and potential for price increases.
Concentration of critical services across multiple countries with varying stability.
Reliance on a single vendor for essential diplomatic functions.
Potential for scope creep or unaddressed technical debt over the contract's life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $38.2 million to CGI FEDERAL INC.. GSS CENTRAL AMERICA FOR VISA SERVICES (INCLUDES GUATEMALA, COSTA RICA, EL SALVADOR, HONDURAS, PANAMA, AND NICARAGUA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CGI FEDERAL INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $38.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-01-09. End: 2018-01-08.

What specific IT infrastructure and management services are included in the "Computer Facilities Management Services" for visa processing?

The contract likely encompasses a range of services crucial for visa operations, such as maintaining secure IT systems, managing databases for applicant information, ensuring network connectivity across various consulates, providing technical support for visa application software, and potentially managing physical data center facilities. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work.

How does the geopolitical climate in Central America potentially increase the risk for this contract?

Geopolitical instability, including political unrest, changes in government policies, or security concerns in countries like Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua, could disrupt the physical operations required for visa services. This might lead to delays, increased security costs for personnel and facilities, or necessitate contingency plans for service continuity, impacting both delivery and potentially cost.

What is the long-term effectiveness of using a single vendor for visa services across multiple Central American nations?

The long-term effectiveness hinges on the vendor's ability to consistently deliver high-quality, secure, and efficient services across diverse operating environments. While a single vendor can streamline operations and potentially offer economies of scale, it also concentrates risk. Effectiveness will be measured by visa processing times, security of data, system uptime, and overall user satisfaction.

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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: CGI Inc (UEI: 248513116)

Address: 12601 FAIR LAKES CIR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22033

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,152,868

Exercised Options: $38,152,868

Current Obligation: $38,152,868

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA10D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline