DHS awards $14.1M contract to Omniplex for background investigations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,139,817 ($14.1M)

Contractor: Omniplex World Services Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-08-29

End Date: 2009-03-15

Contract Duration: 564 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.1K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $14.1 million to OMNIPLEX WORLD SERVICES CORPORATION for work described as: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Omniplex World Services Corporation for background investigations. 2. The contract value is $14,139,817.22. 3. The contract was awarded by the Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 4. The contract duration was 564 days, ending March 15, 2009. 5. The contract type was Cost Plus Award Fee.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Award Fee structure can incentivize performance but may lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Without specific performance metrics and award fee criteria, it's difficult to assess the value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The competition method is not specified, making it impossible to assess price discovery. If this was a sole-source or limited competition, it could have resulted in higher costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The total taxpayer impact is difficult to determine without knowing the competitive landscape and the effectiveness of the award fee structure.

Public Impact

Ensures critical background investigations for DHS personnel are conducted. Supports national security by vetting individuals with access to sensitive information. Provides services that are essential for agency operations and personnel management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency in competition method.
Potential for cost overruns with Cost Plus Award Fee structure.
Contract duration and end date suggest it's a historical award.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical government function.
Awarded to a specific corporation for specialized services.

Sector Analysis

Background investigations are a crucial component of government security and personnel management. Spending in this sector is driven by national security needs and regulatory requirements. Benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature of the services.

Small Business Impact

No information is available regarding the involvement of small businesses in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve monitoring contractor performance against award fee criteria and ensuring compliance with contract terms. The effectiveness of oversight is not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition details.
Potential for cost creep with CPAF.
Historical data, limited current relevance.
No small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $14.1 million to OMNIPLEX WORLD SERVICES CORPORATION. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OMNIPLEX WORLD SERVICES CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-08-29. End: 2009-03-15.

What was the competitive process for this contract, and how did it influence the final price?

The provided data does not specify the competitive process used for this contract. If it was a sole-source or limited competition, the government may not have achieved the best possible price. A full and open competition typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers.

How effectively was the Cost Plus Award Fee structure utilized to ensure value for money?

The effectiveness of the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure hinges on clearly defined performance metrics and objective award criteria. Without access to these details, it's impossible to determine if the contractor was adequately incentivized to perform efficiently and cost-effectively, or if the 'award' portion inflated the total cost beyond what was necessary.

What was the overall impact of this contract on the Department of Homeland Security's operational effectiveness?

This contract directly supported the critical function of background investigations for DHS personnel, particularly U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Ensuring thorough and timely investigations is vital for maintaining security and operational readiness within these sensitive agencies. The contract's completion likely contributed to the agency's ability to staff positions appropriately.

Contractor Details

Address: 14840 CONFERENCE CENTER D, CHANTILLY, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $57,022,730

Exercised Options: $57,022,730

Current Obligation: $14,139,817

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS15F0051L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline