DHS's $18.87M contract for background investigations awarded to CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,867,299 ($18.9M)

Contractor: Csra Systems & Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-03-13

End Date: 2008-09-30

Contract Duration: 567 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33.3K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE 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 $18.9 million to CSRA SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS Key points: 1. The contract value of $18.87 million for background investigations represents a significant investment in ensuring personnel security. 2. The fixed-price award fee structure suggests incentives for performance, but requires careful monitoring of cost and quality. 3. The duration of 567 days indicates a substantial project requiring sustained effort and management. 4. The award to CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC places it as a key provider for this critical DHS function. 5. The contract's focus on Human Resources Consulting Services highlights the importance of vetting processes in government operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more granular data on the scope and volume of background investigations conducted. However, the total award of $18.87 million over approximately 1.5 years suggests a significant investment. The fixed-price award fee structure implies that the government aims to control costs while incentivizing performance. Further analysis would require comparing the per-investigation cost against industry standards and the complexity of the investigations performed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data does not specify the competition level for this contract. Understanding whether it was a full and open competition, a limited solicitation, or a sole-source award is crucial for assessing its impact on pricing and value. A competitive process typically leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. More competition generally means a more efficient use of taxpayer funds by driving down prices and improving service quality.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits the Department of Homeland Security by supporting its personnel security and vetting processes. The services delivered are critical for maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of individuals within the department. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and potentially nationwide for personnel processing. Workforce implications include the employment of analysts and investigators involved in conducting background checks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the competition method makes it difficult to assess if taxpayers received the best possible value.
The fixed-price award fee structure, while offering some cost control, can lead to disputes if performance metrics are not clearly defined and agreed upon.
Without specific performance metrics, it's hard to gauge the effectiveness and efficiency of the background investigation services provided.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a critical government function: background investigations, essential for national security and personnel integrity.
The award to a known entity like CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC suggests a level of confidence in their capabilities.
The fixed-price component of the contract provides a degree of cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Human Resources Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on background investigations. This is a critical component of government operations, particularly for agencies dealing with national security and border control. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized vetting and investigation capabilities. The size of this contract, $18.87 million, is moderate within the broader federal contracting landscape for HR services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Analysis of small business participation would require further investigation into the contract's specific terms and the contractor's subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ensuring adherence to contract terms and performance standards. Accountability measures are embedded in the award fee structure, linking payment to performance. Transparency would depend on the agency's policies regarding contract award details and performance reporting.

Related Government Programs

Federal Employee Background Checks
Personnel Security Investigations
Homeland Security Contracts
Human Resources Services

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues impacting timeliness and accuracy of investigations.
Data security and privacy risks associated with handling sensitive personal information.
Ambiguity in award fee criteria could lead to disputes or suboptimal performance.
Lack of transparency on competition level hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.9 million to CSRA SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS LLC.

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 $18.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-03-13. End: 2008-09-30.

What specific types of background investigations were covered under this contract?

The contract, valued at $18.87 million, was for 'BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS' under the NAICS code 541612 (Human Resources Consulting Services). While the specific types of investigations are not detailed, this category typically encompasses a range of checks including national agency checks, local agency checks, credit checks, fingerprint-based checks, and interviews to assess an individual's suitability, trustworthiness, and reliability for federal employment or access. Given the awarding agency (Department of Homeland Security) and the specific service (U.S. Customs and Border Protection), these investigations likely pertained to personnel requiring security clearances or suitability determinations for roles involving border security, law enforcement, or access to sensitive information and facilities.

How does the contract value compare to similar background investigation contracts within DHS or other agencies?

Direct comparison of this $18.87 million contract is difficult without knowing the exact scope, volume, and duration of investigations performed. However, federal background investigations are a significant and ongoing expenditure across numerous agencies. Contracts for these services can range from a few million dollars for smaller, agency-specific needs to hundreds of millions or even billions for large-scale, multi-year contracts managed by agencies like the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). The value of this DHS contract appears moderate, suggesting it may have covered a specific program, region, or a defined period for a subset of CBP personnel rather than a comprehensive, agency-wide vetting program.

What are the potential risks associated with this type of contract for background investigations?

Potential risks for this background investigation contract include the accuracy and timeliness of the investigations, which are critical for national security and operational integrity. Inaccurate or delayed vetting can lead to the onboarding of unsuitable personnel or hinder critical hiring processes. Another risk lies in data security and privacy, as sensitive personal information is handled. Contractor performance issues, such as failure to meet service level agreements or quality standards, also pose a risk. Furthermore, the fixed-price award fee structure, while aiming for cost control, can create risks if performance metrics are ambiguous or if the contractor prioritizes cost-cutting over thoroughness. Finally, the potential for fraud or misconduct during the investigation process itself is a persistent concern.

What was the historical spending pattern for background investigations by U.S. Customs and Border Protection prior to this contract?

The provided data only details a single contract awarded on March 13, 2007, with an end date of September 30, 2008. It does not offer historical spending patterns. To understand CBP's historical spending on background investigations, one would need to analyze contract data over multiple fiscal years, looking at various contract vehicles, task orders, and awardees. This would reveal trends in spending, identify key contractors, and show how spending has evolved in response to changing security requirements, workforce needs, and legislative mandates. Without this broader dataset, it's impossible to establish a historical context for this specific $18.87 million award.

What is the track record of CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC in providing background investigation services to the federal government?

CSRA Systems & Solutions LLC, and its subsequent iterations through mergers and acquisitions (e.g., with General Dynamics Information Technology), has a significant track record in providing a wide range of IT and professional services to the federal government, including those related to human resources and security. While this specific contract was for background investigations, CSRA's broader portfolio often included support for personnel management, security clearances, and vetting processes for various agencies. Assessing their specific track record for background investigations would involve examining past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any reported issues or successes on similar contracts across different federal entities. Their history suggests they are a large, established federal contractor capable of handling complex requirements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services

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

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 15000 CONFERENCE CENTER DR, CHANTILLY, VA, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $45,368,903

Exercised Options: $45,368,903

Current Obligation: $18,867,299

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS15F0018M

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline