HHS awarded over $80M for legal services to unaccompanied children, with Vera Institute of Justice as the primary contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $80,041,368 ($80.0M)

Contractor: Vera Institute of Justice, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2015-09-30

End Date: 2021-03-29

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN-ACF REGION B

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 $80.0 million to VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN-ACF REGION B Key points: 1. The contract's value of over $80 million suggests a significant need for legal representation for unaccompanied children. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified providers. 3. The duration of the contract, spanning from 2015 to 2021, points to a sustained requirement for these services. 4. The use of a Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost variability based on actual effort expended. 5. The geographic scope appears to be New York, as indicated by the state and city codes. 6. The contractor, Vera Institute of Justice, Inc., is a known entity in the social justice and research space.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific service metrics and comparable contracts for legal services to unaccompanied minors. The total award of over $80 million over approximately six years indicates a substantial investment. The Time and Materials pricing structure means the final cost is dependent on the hours worked and resources utilized, which can be less predictable than fixed-price contracts. Further analysis would require understanding the volume of cases handled and the complexity of legal issues involved to assess true value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids indicates a moderate level of competition for this service. While competition existed, the specific number of bidders (two) might not be sufficient to guarantee the most competitive pricing or optimal service delivery compared to scenarios with a larger pool of responsive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and services, potentially leading to cost savings. However, with only two bids, the cost-effectiveness might be less optimized than if there were more competitive offers.

Public Impact

Unaccompanied children in the care of the U.S. government receive essential legal representation. The services aim to ensure children understand their legal rights and navigate complex immigration proceedings. The contract supports the legal framework for child welfare and immigration policies. The geographic impact is primarily focused on New York, where the services are likely delivered. This contract supports legal professionals and administrative staff involved in providing these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The limited number of bidders (two) may indicate potential barriers to entry or a specialized market.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the legal services provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a fair process.
The contractor, Vera Institute of Justice, Inc., has experience in related social and legal service areas.
The significant funding indicates a commitment to addressing the legal needs of a vulnerable population.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically legal services, often procured by government agencies to fulfill statutory or programmatic obligations. The market for legal services to vulnerable populations, such as unaccompanied minors, is specialized. Government spending in this area is driven by immigration policy, child welfare laws, and humanitarian concerns. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for legal aid or representation services provided to specific demographic groups or in similar legal contexts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information on subcontracting requirements or performance related to small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engaged small businesses for support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) or the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration (ASA). Mechanisms would include contract performance reviews, financial audits, and potentially site visits. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Legal Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children
Child Welfare Services
Immigration Legal Services
Office of Refugee Resettlement Programs
Federal Legal Aid Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Limited competition (two bidders) may impact price optimization.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders effectiveness assessment.
Geographic focus on New York may not cover national needs if children are relocated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $80.0 million to VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN-ACF REGION B

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 $80.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-09-30. End: 2021-03-29.

What specific legal services were provided under this contract?

The contract, identified by NAICS code 541199 (All Other Legal Services), was for legal services to unaccompanied children. While the specific details are not fully elaborated in the provided data, these services typically include legal orientation, advice on immigration relief options (such as asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, or T/U visas), representation in immigration court proceedings, and assistance with related administrative processes. The goal is to ensure these vulnerable children have access to legal counsel to navigate the complex U.S. immigration system and advocate for their rights and protection.

How does the $80 million award compare to typical spending on legal services for unaccompanied children?

Comparing the $80 million award requires context on the number of unaccompanied children encountered and the duration of their stay requiring legal services during the contract period (2015-2021). This period saw significant fluctuations in border arrivals. Without specific data on the average cost per child or the total number of children served, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the substantial award suggests a significant demand and investment in providing legal support to this population, reflecting the complexities and resource-intensive nature of immigration law and child welfare.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for these services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one used here, carry inherent risks for the government. The primary risk is cost escalation, as the final price is not fixed and depends on the actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor. This necessitates robust government oversight to ensure that hours billed are reasonable, necessary, and that the work performed is efficient. Without diligent monitoring, there's a risk of paying for inefficient practices or inflated labor rates. The government also bears the risk of cost overruns if the scope of work expands or if the contractor's efficiency is lower than anticipated.

What is the track record of Vera Institute of Justice, Inc. in providing government-funded social services?

Vera Institute of Justice, Inc. is a well-established non-profit research, policy, and advocacy organization that works on justice reform and social issues. They have a history of receiving government grants and contracts to conduct research, provide technical assistance, and implement programs related to criminal justice, immigration, and child welfare. Their experience often involves working with vulnerable populations and addressing complex social challenges. While specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not detailed here, their general profile suggests they are a capable organization for managing large-scale social service initiatives.

What does the 'All Other Legal Services' NAICS code imply about the scope of this contract?

The NAICS code 541199, 'All Other Legal Services,' indicates that the contract's scope is broad and encompasses legal services not specifically categorized under other more specialized legal NAICS codes (e.g., legal services for patents, real estate, or litigation). For this contract, it implies a comprehensive range of legal support for unaccompanied children, potentially covering various aspects of immigration law, child welfare law, and related administrative proceedings. It suggests flexibility in the types of legal assistance that could be required, beyond routine representation.

How does the contract's duration (2007 days, approx. 5.5 years) impact the assessment of its value?

The contract duration of approximately 5.5 years (2007 days) suggests a long-term, sustained need for legal services for unaccompanied children. A longer duration can allow for greater efficiency and expertise development by the contractor, potentially leading to better outcomes. It also implies stability for the services provided to the children. From a value perspective, a longer contract term can sometimes lead to better negotiated rates over time, assuming performance is satisfactory. However, it also means a significant, ongoing financial commitment from the government, underscoring the importance of continuous performance monitoring and value assessment throughout its life.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Legal Services › All Other Legal Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 15233SOL00264

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 233 BROADWAY FL 12, NEW YORK, NY, 10279

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: $80,041,368

Exercised Options: $80,041,368

Current Obligation: $80,041,368

Actual Outlays: $1,329,173

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 8

Total Subaward Amount: $11,302,619

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline