DHS awarded $17.3M for office administrative services, with a significant portion spent in Missouri

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,275,962 ($17.3M)

Contractor: Serco Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-07-11

End Date: 2009-03-30

Contract Duration: 1,358 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.7K/day

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: LEES SUMMIT, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64063

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $17.3 million to SERCO SERVICES INC for work described as: Key points: 1. The contract provided essential office administrative support, contributing to the operational efficiency of USCIS. 2. Spending was concentrated in Missouri, suggesting a localized impact on administrative services. 3. The contract's duration of over three years indicates a sustained need for these services. 4. While specific performance metrics are not detailed, the renewal suggests satisfactory service delivery. 5. The BPA Call award type implies a flexible ordering mechanism for administrative needs. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags suggests this was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $17.3 million over approximately 3.7 years averages to about $4.67 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar administrative service contracts is challenging without more granular data on the specific services rendered and their scope. However, the consistent spending over the contract's life suggests a predictable demand. Without details on the specific tasks performed, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money, but the duration implies a recognized need and likely ongoing utility.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The award type is listed as 'BPA CALL', which typically means a task order was issued against a previously established Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). The competition level for the original BPA and this specific call order is not detailed in the provided data. If the BPA itself was competed broadly, this call order might have had limited competition among BPA holders. If the BPA was sole-source or limited, the competition for this call would be similarly constrained.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Limited or sole-source awards can lead to higher prices and reduced innovation compared to full and open competition, potentially costing taxpayers more for the same services.

Public Impact

USCIS operations were supported through the provision of administrative services. Federal employees and potentially contractors benefited from efficient administrative support. The primary geographic impact was in Missouri, where a significant portion of the spending occurred. The contract supported administrative roles, likely within the federal workforce or through contractor personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality and efficiency of services provided.
The competition level for this BPA Call is not specified, raising questions about potential price discovery and value for money.
Without knowing the specific administrative tasks, it's hard to benchmark costs against industry standards.
The contract's end date has passed, and its renewal or replacement status is unclear from this data.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded and executed, indicating a successful procurement and delivery of services.
The sustained spending over its duration suggests a consistent need and likely satisfaction with the services rendered.
The award was made by a major federal agency (DHS), implying adherence to federal procurement standards.

Sector Analysis

Office administrative services fall under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of support functions crucial for government operations. Spending in this area often involves tasks like clerical support, data entry, scheduling, and general office management. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult without specific service details, but agencies consistently procure these services to maintain operational continuity and efficiency, often through task orders against larger agreements like BPAs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the procurement was likely conducted under full and open competition or awarded to a large business. There is no information available regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Consequently, this contract may not have directly contributed to small business goals unless the prime contractor voluntarily engaged small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA likely had its own oversight mechanisms. Task orders issued against it would be managed by contracting officers and program managers responsible for ensuring performance and compliance. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Administrative Support Contracts
USCIS Operational Support Services
Federal Office Services BPA Calls
Missouri Federal Contracting

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics
Unspecified competition level for BPA Call
Potential for unbenchmarked costs
Expired contract with unclear follow-on status

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $17.3 million to SERCO SERVICES INC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SERCO SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-07-11. End: 2009-03-30.

What specific administrative services were provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies this contract under NAICS code 561110, which corresponds to 'Office Administrative Services'. This broad category typically includes services such as general office management, clerical support, data entry, record keeping, scheduling, mail processing, and other administrative tasks necessary for the day-to-day functioning of an office. However, the specific scope of work, deliverables, and performance standards for this particular contract are not detailed in the summary data. Without this granular information, it is difficult to ascertain the precise nature and extent of the administrative support rendered to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

How does the $17.3 million award compare to similar administrative service contracts?

Comparing the $17.3 million award for office administrative services requires context regarding the contract's duration and the specific services rendered. This contract spanned approximately 3.7 years (from July 2005 to March 2009), with an average annual spending of roughly $4.67 million. Benchmarking this figure against similar contracts is challenging without knowing the exact tasks, volume of work, and geographic scope. However, for a federal agency like USCIS, procuring comprehensive administrative support services that facilitate operations could reasonably fall within this spending range. The value proposition depends heavily on the efficiency gains and operational continuity achieved through these services, which are not explicitly quantified in the provided data.

What were the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks associated with this contract likely included performance risk, where the contractor might not deliver services to the required standard, impacting USCIS operations. There was also a potential for cost overruns if the BPA Call mechanism allowed for scope creep or inefficient task execution, although the fixed award amount mitigates this to some extent. Given the nature of administrative services, data security and confidentiality risks would also be present, requiring robust controls. Furthermore, the transition risk, both at the start and end of the contract period, could have posed challenges in maintaining seamless service delivery.

What was the historical spending pattern for this contract?

The contract was awarded in July 2005 and ended in March 2009, spanning a period of approximately 45 months or 3.7 years. The total award amount was $17,275,961.53. While the data doesn't provide a month-by-month breakdown, the consistent duration and the total award suggest a relatively steady rate of spending throughout the contract's life. The fact that the full award amount was allocated indicates that the services were utilized as planned over the contract term. There were no reported modifications or changes to the award amount in the provided summary data.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded to SERCO SERVICES INC?

Serco Services Inc. is a known government contractor that provides a range of services to public sector clients. Awarding this contract to Serco indicates that the company was deemed capable of meeting the requirements for office administrative services for USCIS, likely through a competitive bidding process for the original BPA or this specific call order. Their track record as a large federal contractor suggests they possess the infrastructure and experience to manage such agreements. The specific performance history of Serco on this particular contract would require further investigation beyond the summary data.

How did the concentration of spending in Missouri affect the contract's impact?

The data indicates a concentration of spending in Missouri (SN: MISSOURI, ST: MO), suggesting that the administrative services were primarily delivered or managed from locations within that state. This concentration implies a direct economic impact on the Missouri region through job creation (either for Serco employees or potentially USCIS personnel co-located with administrative support) and local procurement. It also suggests that USCIS's operational needs supported by this contract were geographically focused in or managed through Missouri during the contract period. This localization could streamline communication and oversight but might limit broader geographic reach if services were intended for a national scope.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Serco Group PLC (UEI: 298452707)

Address: 12012 SUNSET HILLS ROAD, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG05A0031

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline