DHS awards $5.6M task order to University of Nebraska for professional services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,611,667 ($5.6M)

Contractor: University of Nebraska

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-09-29

End Date: 2025-03-18

Contract Duration: 1,266 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER AGAINST BOA # 70RSAT21G00000002

Place of Performance

Location: OMAHA, DOUGLAS County, NEBRASKA, 68182

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA for work described as: TASK ORDER AGAINST BOA # 70RSAT21G00000002 Key points: 1. The contract value represents a moderate investment in specialized technical services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years, indicating ongoing service needs. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code covers a broad range of activities. 5. The cost-no-fee contract type implies the contractor bears the financial risk. 6. The award was made by the Office of Procurement Operations, a central DHS function.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without more granular detail on the services provided. The cost-no-fee structure shifts risk to the contractor, which can sometimes lead to higher initial bids to compensate for that risk. However, it also means the government is not paying for contractor profit or overhead on costs. Comparing it to similar task orders under the same basic ordering agreement (BOA) would provide better context for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The agency sought proposals from a wide range of potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, thereby optimizing the use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Homeland Security, which receives professional, scientific, and technical services. The services delivered are broadly categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', suggesting support for various operational or administrative functions. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the operational areas of the Department of Homeland Security, with potential for national-level implications. Workforce implications may include the utilization of specialized expertise from the University of Nebraska's personnel or affiliated researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific service details makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
The broad NAICS code could mask a wide range of service costs and complexities.
Contract duration without clear performance metrics raises questions about ongoing necessity and efficiency.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Cost-no-fee contract type places financial risk on the contractor, potentially benefiting the government.
University of Nebraska's involvement may indicate a focus on research-informed or specialized technical expertise.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a significant component of federal contracting. This contract falls under a broad category that supports a wide array of government functions, from research and development to administrative and operational support. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, with agencies often relying on external expertise to supplement internal capabilities. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar task orders within the same or adjacent NAICS codes.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this specific award. The primary contractor, the University of Nebraska, is an educational institution, and its engagement with small businesses would likely be through standard procurement practices rather than set-aside requirements.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily reside within the Department of Homeland Security's contracting and program management offices. The Office of Procurement Operations is responsible for the award and administration. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance monitoring and Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific nature of the services and any established performance metrics within the task order.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Professional Services
Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs)
Task Orders
Scientific and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Broad NAICS code limits specificity of services.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders value assessment.
Cost-no-fee structure requires careful contractor cost management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.6 million to UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA. TASK ORDER AGAINST BOA # 70RSAT21G00000002

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA.

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 $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-29. End: 2025-03-18.

What specific services are being provided under this task order?

The provided data indicates the task order falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This is a very broad category that can encompass a wide range of activities, including but not limited to research, consulting, data analysis, technical support, and specialized scientific services. Without further details from the contract itself or associated documentation, the precise nature of the services rendered by the University of Nebraska remains unspecified. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to assess the direct impact or effectiveness of the contract beyond its general support function for the Department of Homeland Security.

How does the $5.6 million value compare to similar contracts for professional services within DHS?

Comparing the $5.6 million value of this task order to similar contracts within DHS requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, as a single task order against a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA), $5.6 million is a moderate-sized award. DHS procures a vast array of professional services, ranging from small, specialized consulting engagements to large, multi-year support contracts. The value of this specific order should be assessed relative to the scope and duration of the services it funds. If the services are highly specialized or critical, the value might be justified. If they are more general, it could represent a standard investment in technical support.

What are the key risks associated with a cost-no-fee contract type for this service?

The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type shifts the financial risk primarily to the contractor, the University of Nebraska. This means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs incurred but does not pay any fee (profit). Key risks for the contractor include underestimating costs, unexpected expenses, or scope creep without a mechanism to recover additional funds. For the government, risks include the contractor potentially cutting corners on quality to manage costs, or a lack of strong incentive for efficiency beyond avoiding cost overruns. However, it can be advantageous for the government by ensuring payment only for actual, allowable costs.

What is the significance of the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code?

NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a catch-all category used when a business's primary activity does not fit into more specific professional, scientific, or technical service categories. This broadness means the services procured under this code can vary significantly, from highly specialized scientific research and analysis to general technical consulting or support. For this DHS task order, it implies the services are not easily classifiable into more defined areas like engineering, computer systems design, or environmental consulting, suggesting a unique or multifaceted support requirement.

How does the contract duration (1266 days) impact the assessment of value and risk?

A contract duration of 1266 days (approximately 3.5 years) indicates a long-term need for the services being procured. This extended period allows for the development of deeper expertise and potentially more integrated support. However, it also increases the risk of cost escalation if not managed carefully, and the risk that the services may become less relevant or efficient over time. For the government, a longer duration can provide stability in service delivery but requires robust oversight to ensure continued value and alignment with evolving agency needs. The cost-no-fee structure, in this context, means the contractor must carefully manage costs over the entire period.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6001 DODGE ST EAB 209, OMAHA, NE, 68182

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,611,667

Exercised Options: $5,611,667

Current Obligation: $5,611,667

Actual Outlays: $4,710,103

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $4,342,187

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RSAT21G00000002

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline