HHS Awards $18M to Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions for Afghan Evacuee Resettlement Staff Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,086,600 ($18.1M)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-04-15

End Date: 2023-04-14

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $49.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE STAFF SUPPORT FOR REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN MULTIPLE STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY, SUPPORTING THE RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION OF AFGHAN EVACUEES (HEREAFTER AFGHANS) FROM ARRIVAL IN THEIR RESETTLEMENT COMMUNITY AND FOR UP TO 12

Place of Performance

Location: TULSA, TULSA County, OKLAHOMA, 74116

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $18.1 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE STAFF SUPPORT FOR REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN MULTIPLE STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY, SUPPORTING THE RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION OF AFGHAN EVACUEES (HEREAFTER AFGHANS) FROM ARRIVAL IN THEIR RESETTLEMENT COMMUNITY AND FOR UP TO 12 Key points: 1. Significant federal investment in refugee resettlement services. 2. Focus on supporting Afghan evacuees' integration into communities. 3. Contract awarded via non-competitive process, raising questions about price discovery. 4. Services span multiple states, indicating a broad national scope.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $18M for 364 days of support is substantial. Without comparable contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing the pricing against similar services is difficult. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under a limited competition, citing 'not available for competition'. This suggests a specific justification for not opening it to a broader range of vendors, potentially impacting the price discovery and overall value for taxpayer dollars.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant expenditure on resettlement services directly impacts taxpayers, funding essential support for evacuees. The efficiency and effectiveness of this spending will determine the ultimate taxpayer benefit.

Public Impact

Provides critical support for vulnerable populations, aiding their transition to new lives. Addresses a national humanitarian need by facilitating the integration of Afghan evacuees. Supports the operational capacity of federal agencies managing resettlement efforts. Potential for long-term community integration benefits for evacuees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about optimal pricing.
Lack of detailed cost justification for the award.
Potential for scope creep in staff support services.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical humanitarian need.
Provides essential services for a vulnerable population.
Supports national integration efforts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the 'Emergency and Other Relief Services' category, often associated with significant federal spending during crises. Benchmarks for such services can vary widely depending on the scope and duration of the emergency.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions LLC, a large business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data, which could be a missed opportunity for economic inclusion.

Oversight & Accountability

The Administration for Children and Families within HHS is responsible for overseeing this contract. Robust oversight is crucial to ensure funds are used effectively and that the resettlement services meet the needs of the evacuees.

Related Government Programs

Emergency and Other Relief Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Administration for Children and Families Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Lack of detailed cost breakdown
Potential for undefined scope
No clear small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $18.1 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE STAFF SUPPORT FOR REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN MULTIPLE STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY, SUPPORTING THE RESETTLEMENT AND INTEGRATION OF AFGHAN EVACUEES (HEREAFTER AFGHANS) FROM ARRIVAL IN THEIR RESETTLEMENT COMMUNITY AND FOR UP TO 12

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Administration for Children and Families).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-15. End: 2023-04-14.

What specific services are included under 'staff support' and how are they quantified to justify the $18M cost?

The contract specifies support for refugee resettlement and integration of Afghan evacuees from arrival through their resettlement. However, the exact nature and quantity of 'staff support' are not detailed. A breakdown of personnel hours, roles, and associated costs would be necessary to fully assess the justification for the $18M expenditure and ensure efficient use of funds.

Given the limited competition, what measures were taken to ensure the contractor's proposed pricing was fair and reasonable?

When competition is limited, agencies typically rely on techniques like cost analysis, price analysis based on historical data, or comparison to other available information to determine price reasonableness. The specific methods used by ACF to validate Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions' pricing are not detailed in this data, but would be critical for accountability.

How will the effectiveness of the resettlement and integration support provided by the contractor be measured and evaluated?

Measuring the effectiveness of resettlement and integration is crucial for understanding the impact of this $18M investment. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should be established, such as successful housing placement rates, employment milestones, access to education and healthcare, and overall community integration metrics for the evacuees.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services › Emergency and Other Relief Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 75ACF122R00010

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cherokee Nation

Address: 10838 E MARSHALL ST STE 200-A17, TULSA, OK, 74116

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,115,467

Exercised Options: $18,086,600

Current Obligation: $18,086,600

Actual Outlays: $18,086,600

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $789,243

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline