USCIS awards $53.2M contract for service center operations support to The Oryza Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,168,999 ($53.2M)

Contractor: THE Oryza Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2017-11-28

End Date: 2018-11-30

Contract Duration: 367 days

Daily Burn Rate: $144.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20529

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $53.2 million to THE ORYZA GROUP LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS) Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in administrative services for USCIS. 2. The Oryza Group LLC, a relatively small business, secured this large award. 3. Full and open competition after exclusion of sources suggests a specific justification for limited bidding. 4. The contract duration of 367 days indicates a need for ongoing operational support. 5. The award was made via a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. 6. The primary service category is office administrative services, crucial for the functioning of service centers.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without knowing the specific services rendered and the scope of work. The total award amount of $53.2 million for a 367-day period suggests a substantial daily expenditure. Comparing it to similar contracts for administrative support services within federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive. However, the absence of detailed performance metrics and cost breakdowns makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This procurement method indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, likely due to specific requirements or prior performance. The number of bidders is not specified, but the exclusion of sources suggests a potentially narrower competitive field than a truly open competition. This could impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price achievable through a broader bidding process. The specific reasons for excluding sources would need further investigation to ensure fairness and optimal use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Citizens and immigrants benefit from the efficient processing of applications and petitions facilitated by these administrative services. The services support the operational functions of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) service centers. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in the locations of USCIS service centers, primarily supporting domestic operations. The contract supports a workforce involved in administrative and operational tasks within USCIS.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type raises questions about the breadth of competition and potential impact on pricing.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness and value for money.
The contract's value, while significant, needs to be contextualized against the specific services provided to determine true cost-effectiveness.

Positive Signals

The award was made to The Oryza Group LLC, which may represent a successful bid by a smaller or specialized firm.
The contract was awarded under a competitive process, even if limited, indicating an attempt to secure services through bidding.
The contract supports critical administrative functions for a major federal agency, contributing to national immigration services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative services sector, a broad category encompassing support functions essential for the operation of government agencies. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering a range of capabilities. The total federal spending on administrative support services is substantial, and this contract represents a portion of that expenditure for USCIS. Comparable contracts would involve other agencies seeking similar operational support for their administrative functions.

Small Business Impact

The Oryza Group LLC is listed as the contractor. Further information would be needed to determine if this is a small business and if there were specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements associated with this award. The contract was not awarded under a small business set-aside, as indicated by 'sb': false.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contracting officers and program managers. The Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General (OIG) may also conduct audits or investigations into contract performance and financial management. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, but detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

USCIS Operations Support
Federal Administrative Services Contracts
Department of Homeland Security Procurement
Immigration Services Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
Potential for cost overruns with 'Labor Hours' contract type.
Lack of detailed performance metrics for value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $53.2 million to THE ORYZA GROUP LLC. IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE ORYZA GROUP 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 $53.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-11-28. End: 2018-11-30.

What specific administrative services were provided under this contract?

The contract, identified as USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS), was awarded to THE ORYZA GROUP LLC for office administrative services. While the specific details of the services are not fully elaborated in the provided data, such contracts typically encompass a range of support functions critical to the operation of USCIS service centers. This can include tasks such as data entry, document processing, case management support, administrative record-keeping, scheduling, communication handling, and other back-office functions necessary for the efficient processing of immigration applications and petitions. The 'Labor Hours' (pt: LABOR HOURS) contract type suggests that the payment was based on the time spent by personnel performing these services, rather than fixed deliverables.

How does the contract value of $53.2 million compare to similar administrative support contracts within DHS?

Comparing the $53.2 million contract value requires access to a broader dataset of similar administrative support contracts within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components like USCIS. Without that comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this award is high, low, or average. However, for a contract spanning approximately one year (367 days), $53.2 million represents a significant investment. The 'Labor Hours' pricing structure means the final cost is dependent on the number of hours worked and the labor rates. To assess value, one would need to benchmark the hourly rates against market standards for similar administrative roles and compare the total expenditure against the volume and complexity of the work performed.

What are the implications of 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' for price and competition?

The procurement method 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' indicates a departure from a completely unrestricted competition. While the intent was to allow all responsible sources to submit offers, specific sources were intentionally excluded. The reasons for exclusion are not provided but could stem from factors like prior performance issues, specific technical requirements that only certain vendors could meet, or national security considerations. This exclusion inherently limits the competitive pool, potentially reducing the number of bidders. A smaller number of bidders can lead to less aggressive pricing, as the pressure to underbid competitors is reduced. Therefore, taxpayers might not have benefited from the most competitive pricing achievable in a truly open market.

What is the track record of The Oryza Group LLC in securing federal contracts?

The provided data indicates that The Oryza Group LLC was awarded this specific contract valued at $53,168,998.90 by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for USCIS Service Center Operations Support Services. To assess their overall track record, a more comprehensive search of federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would be necessary. This would reveal the number and value of other contracts they have held, the agencies they have served, and the types of services they have provided. Without this broader context, it's difficult to gauge their experience level, past performance trends, or their typical contract sizes and durations.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Labor Hours' contract type for administrative services?

The 'Labor Hours' (pt: LABOR HOURS) contract type, while flexible, carries inherent risks, particularly for administrative services. The primary risk is cost overrun, as the total expenditure is directly tied to the hours worked by contractor personnel. If the scope of work expands, or if personnel are not efficiently utilized, costs can escalate beyond initial projections. There's also a risk of 'scope creep' where tasks not originally envisioned are performed and billed. For the government, effective oversight is crucial to ensure that hours billed are accurate and that work is progressing efficiently. Without robust monitoring, this contract type can be less cost-certain than fixed-price arrangements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSSCCG-14-R-00027

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8326 OFFICE PARK DR, DOUGLASVILLE, GA, 30134

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,168,999

Exercised Options: $53,168,999

Current Obligation: $53,168,999

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG15D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline