DHS awards $52.6M for information services, with Dun & Bradstreet as the sole provider

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $52,599,938 ($52.6M)

Contractor: DUN & Bradstreet, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2019-09-25

End Date: 2024-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,831 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.7K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INDEPENDENT INFORMATION PROVIDER SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $52.6 million to DUN & BRADSTREET, INC for work described as: INDEPENDENT INFORMATION PROVIDER SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to limited competition. 2. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 3. A single awardee indicates a lack of competitive pressure on pricing. 4. The contract duration of over 5 years may present risks if market conditions or needs change significantly. 5. Performance context is limited without specific task order details. 6. Sector positioning is within information services, a broad category with diverse applications.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value for money is challenging given the limited competition and lack of detailed performance metrics. The contract was awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, which shifts some risk to the contractor. However, without comparison to similar contracts or market rates for the specific services provided, it's difficult to definitively assess if the $52.6 million represents a competitive price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. While the specific competition details are not provided, the award to a single entity suggests that either only one offer was received, or the competition was structured in a way that led to a sole awardee. This limited competition may have impacted price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to a scenario with multiple bidders vying for the contract.

Public Impact

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) benefits from access to essential information services. The services likely support various operational functions of USCIS, such as identity verification, background checks, or data analysis. The geographic impact is national, supporting USCIS operations across the United States. Workforce implications are indirect, as the contract provides services that enable government personnel to perform their duties more effectively.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of robust competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Long contract duration could result in outdated services or inflated costs if not managed closely.
Limited transparency on specific task orders makes performance assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Award to a known entity (Dun & Bradstreet) suggests a level of established capability.
Contract supports critical functions of a major federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader Information Services sector, specifically supporting government functions. The market for information services is vast, encompassing data providers, analytics firms, and research organizations. Benchmarking this specific contract is difficult without knowing the precise nature of the 'Independent Information Provider Services.' However, spending on information services by federal agencies is substantial, often supporting intelligence, research, and operational needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Given the nature of the services and the awardee, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were a primary focus of this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically be managed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements and the lack of publicly detailed performance reports for this specific contract.

Related Government Programs

Federal Information Technology, Infrastructure, and Services Contracts
Government Data and Analytics Services
Department of Homeland Security Procurement
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Long contract duration
Lack of specific performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $52.6 million to DUN & BRADSTREET, INC. INDEPENDENT INFORMATION PROVIDER SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DUN & BRADSTREET, INC.

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 $52.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-25. End: 2024-09-29.

What specific 'Independent Information Provider Services' are being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the 'Independent Information Provider Services.' This category (NAICS code 519190) is broad and can include services such as data aggregation, credit reporting, market research data, and other information-based services. For Dun & Bradstreet, these services likely relate to business information, creditworthiness data, and market intelligence crucial for government agencies like USCIS. Without access to the contract's statement of work or task orders, the precise services remain undefined, making a detailed value assessment difficult.

How does the $52.6 million contract value compare to similar procurements for information services within DHS or other agencies?

Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific services rendered. However, federal spending on information services is significant. For instance, agencies often procure large-scale data analytics platforms, cybersecurity intelligence feeds, or comprehensive business information databases. Dun & Bradstreet, as a major provider, likely has numerous contracts across the government. A $52.6 million award over five years averages around $10.5 million annually. This figure is substantial but needs to be contextualized against the scope and criticality of the information provided. A more precise comparison would require identifying contracts with identical or highly similar service descriptions and awardees.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and how has the contractor performed against them?

The provided summary data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or performance ratings for this contract. Typically, government contracts include performance standards and metrics that the contractor must meet. For information services, KPIs might relate to data accuracy, timeliness of delivery, system uptime, or responsiveness to inquiries. Without access to contract performance reports or awardee performance history, it is impossible to assess Dun & Bradstreet's performance on this specific contract. Agencies usually have internal systems for tracking contractor performance, which are not publicly detailed in this format.

What is the historical spending trend for this type of service within USCIS or DHS?

Historical spending trends for 'Independent Information Provider Services' (NAICS 519190) within USCIS or DHS are not detailed in the provided data. However, agencies like USCIS rely heavily on accurate and timely information for vetting, processing applications, and national security. Spending on such services is likely to be consistent or increasing, driven by evolving threats and the need for comprehensive data. To analyze historical trends, one would need to examine procurement databases for similar contracts awarded over multiple fiscal years to USCIS and DHS, looking at both the number of awards and their total dollar values.

What is the risk associated with relying on a single provider for critical information services over a five-year period?

Relying on a single provider for critical information services over an extended period like five years presents several risks. Firstly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to switch providers if performance degrades or market alternatives emerge. Secondly, the lack of competition can reduce the incentive for the incumbent to innovate or offer the most competitive pricing. Thirdly, if the provider experiences financial difficulties, operational disruptions, or changes in its business strategy, it could directly impact the government's access to essential information. Robust contract management, including regular performance reviews and contingency planning, is crucial to mitigate these risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 70SBUR19R00000029

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11710 PLAZA AMERICA DR STE 900, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $55,147,911

Exercised Options: $52,599,938

Current Obligation: $52,599,938

Actual Outlays: $23,867,086

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 03310318DL19C0017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline