HHS awards $168.7M for legal services to unaccompanied children, with no competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $168,679,749 ($168.7M)
Contractor: Vera Institute of Justice, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2021-03-30
End Date: 2022-03-29
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $463.4K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO SECURE A CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION RELATED LEGAL SERVICES TO UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN (UC) REFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (ACF) OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT (ORR).
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20857
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $168.7 million to VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC. for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO SECURE A CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION RELATED LEGAL SERVICES TO UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN (UC) REFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (ACF) OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT (ORR). Key points: 1. Significant contract value for essential legal services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about price discovery and competition. 3. Focus on vulnerable population highlights critical need. 4. IT services are not a component of this contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $168.7 million for a 364-day period is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price is optimal compared to similar legal service contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than a competitive process might yield.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The lack of competition may result in a less efficient use of these funds.
Public Impact
Provides critical legal representation for unaccompanied children. Ensures access to justice for a vulnerable population. Supports the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) mission.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- High contract value
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical societal need
- Provides essential services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional services, specifically legal services. The benchmark for spending in this area can vary widely based on the complexity and volume of cases.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source contract, nor is there a clear pathway for their participation given the nature of the award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) should monitor performance closely.
Related Government Programs
- Offices of Lawyers
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in award process
- No small business participation
Tags
offices-of-lawyers, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, definitive-contract, 100m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $168.7 million to VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC.. THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUIREMENT IS TO SECURE A CONTRACTOR TO PROVIDE IMMIGRATION RELATED LEGAL SERVICES TO UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN (UC) REFERRED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (ACF) OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT (ORR).
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $168.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-03-30. End: 2022-03-29.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of available competition. Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the specific reasons. However, the critical nature of legal services for unaccompanied children might be a factor.
How does the government ensure value for money in sole-source contracts of this magnitude?
Ensuring value for money in sole-source contracts often relies on robust negotiation, independent cost analysis, and strict performance monitoring. The government may use historical data, market research, or engage independent experts to validate pricing and service quality.
What are the long-term implications of relying on sole-source contracts for essential services?
Long-term reliance on sole-source contracts can stifle innovation, reduce competition, and potentially lead to inflated costs. It may also create vendor lock-in and limit the government's flexibility. Periodic re-evaluation of the market for competitive alternatives is advisable.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › Offices of Lawyers
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 75P00121R00036
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 34 35TH ST STE 4-2A, BROOKLYN, NY, 11232
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $168,679,749
Exercised Options: $168,679,749
Current Obligation: $168,679,749
Actual Outlays: $122,649,242
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-03-30
Current End Date: 2022-03-29
Potential End Date: 2022-03-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-11-24
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