HHS awards $51.4M for legal representation of unaccompanied alien children, a critical service for vulnerable youth

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $51,399,532 ($51.4M)

Contractor: Vera Institute of Justice, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2009-07-31

End Date: 2015-01-31

Contract Duration: 2,010 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.6K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROBONO RECOMPETE OF CONTRACT TO TRAIN PROBONO ATTORNIES TO REPRESENT UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN (UAC) IN ORRFEETS CARE PLACEMENT IN IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS

Place of Performance

Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10279

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $51.4 million to VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC. for work described as: PROBONO RECOMPETE OF CONTRACT TO TRAIN PROBONO ATTORNIES TO REPRESENT UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN (UAC) IN ORRFEETS CARE PLACEMENT IN IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS Key points: 1. This contract focuses on a specialized legal service, highlighting the government's commitment to providing representation for a vulnerable population. 2. The competitive nature of this award suggests a healthy market for these specialized legal services. 3. Performance duration of approximately six years indicates a stable, long-term need for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The geographic focus on New York suggests a concentration of need or service delivery in that region. 6. The contract's purpose is to ensure due process for unaccompanied alien children.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $51.4 million over six years for legal services to unaccompanied alien children appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work and the vulnerability of the population served. Benchmarking against similar contracts for legal aid or social services for children can be challenging due to the unique intersection of immigration law and child welfare. However, the fixed-price structure provides cost predictability. The value is tied to ensuring legal representation, which is a critical component of due process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered or competed for this specific task order. The 'full-and-open' competition suggests that the government sought the best value from a broad range of qualified offerors. The presence of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensures that the government receives services from capable providers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a marketplace where providers offer their best pricing and services.

Public Impact

Unaccompanied alien children in the care and placement system benefit from legal representation, ensuring their rights are protected. The services delivered include legal counsel and representation in immigration proceedings. The primary geographic impact is in New York, where the services are likely delivered. This contract supports a specialized legal workforce focused on immigration and child welfare law.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for high caseloads impacting attorney capacity.
Complexity of immigration law and child welfare cases requires specialized expertise.
Ensuring consistent quality of representation across all cases.

Positive Signals

Dedicated funding for a critical legal service.
Competitive award process likely ensures qualified providers.
Long-term contract duration provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting, which encompasses legal services. The market for legal services, particularly in specialized areas like immigration law and child advocacy, is diverse. While specific market size data for this niche is difficult to isolate, the federal government's role in providing legal aid and representation for vulnerable populations represents a significant area of spending. This contract fits within the broader category of government support services aimed at fulfilling legal and humanitarian obligations.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business participation, set-asides, or subcontracting goals was not explicitly provided in the data. As this was a competitive delivery order, it's possible that small businesses could have participated if they met the qualifications. However, without specific details, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were leveraged.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. Oversight would typically involve contract performance monitoring, financial reviews, and adherence to legal and programmatic requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services for Children
Immigration Court Representation
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Programs
Child Welfare Services
Federal Legal Aid Programs

Risk Flags

Vulnerable Population Served
Specialized Legal Expertise Required
Potential for Fluctuating Caseloads

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $51.4 million to VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC.. PROBONO RECOMPETE OF CONTRACT TO TRAIN PROBONO ATTORNIES TO REPRESENT UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN (UAC) IN ORRFEETS CARE PLACEMENT IN IMMIGRATION PROCEEDINGS

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 $51.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-07-31. End: 2015-01-31.

What is the track record of VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC. in handling similar federal contracts, particularly those involving legal representation for vulnerable populations?

VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC. has a significant track record in research, policy development, and technical assistance related to criminal justice and immigration. While specific details on their performance on this particular HHS contract are not provided in the summary data, their mission often involves advocating for and supporting justice-involved individuals, including immigrants. Their experience likely encompasses understanding the legal and social complexities surrounding unaccompanied alien children. A deeper dive into their past performance reviews and contract history with federal agencies would provide a more comprehensive assessment of their capabilities and reliability in fulfilling such sensitive and critical services.

How does the awarded amount of $51.4 million compare to the estimated cost or market rates for providing legal representation to unaccompanied alien children over a six-year period?

Directly comparing the $51.4 million award to precise market rates for legal representation of unaccompanied alien children is challenging due to the specialized nature of this service and the variability in legal costs. However, considering the duration (approximately six years) and the critical need for legal expertise in immigration and child welfare law, the average annual cost is roughly $8.5 million. This figure needs to be evaluated against the number of children served and the complexity of their cases. Without specific benchmarks for this niche service, it's difficult to definitively state if it's high or low. The competitive nature of the award suggests that the price was deemed fair and reasonable by the contracting agency at the time of award.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks include the potential for fluctuating caseloads of unaccompanied alien children, which could strain resources or lead to unmet needs if not managed effectively. The complexity of immigration law and the vulnerability of the client population also present risks related to ensuring consistent, high-quality legal representation. Furthermore, challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified legal professionals in this specialized field could impact service delivery. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by HHS, including performance monitoring, regular reporting requirements from the contractor, and contingency planning for caseload surges. The fixed-price nature of the contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently.

How effective has this contract been in achieving its objective of providing legal representation to unaccompanied alien children?

The provided data summarizes the contract award and basic details but does not include performance metrics or outcome evaluations. Therefore, assessing the effectiveness of this contract in achieving its objective is not possible with the given information. Effectiveness would typically be measured by factors such as the number of children represented, the outcomes of their immigration proceedings, client satisfaction, and adherence to legal standards. A thorough evaluation would require access to performance reports, case data, and potentially feedback from stakeholders involved in the care and placement of these children.

What are the historical spending patterns for legal representation of unaccompanied alien children by the Department of Health and Human Services?

The provided data focuses on a single contract awarded in 2009 with an end date in 2015. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze a broader dataset encompassing multiple contracts over several years, potentially including predecessor contracts for similar services. This would reveal trends in funding levels, contract durations, and the number of awards made for this specific purpose. Without this broader context, it's impossible to establish a comprehensive spending history or identify significant shifts in federal investment in this area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

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: $51,399,532

Exercised Options: $51,399,532

Current Obligation: $51,399,532

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0105N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline