DHS awards $13.8M for administrative services to Serco Services Inc. under a competitive BPA call

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,785,451 ($13.8M)

Contractor: Serco Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2005-09-28

End Date: 2006-09-28

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20529

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.8 million to SERCO SERVICES INC for work described as: SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.8M for a 1-year period suggests a significant operational need. 2. Awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call indicates a pre-negotiated framework, potentially streamlining procurement. 3. The contract's focus on administrative services points to essential back-office functions supporting USCIS operations. 4. A single award for this duration may warrant scrutiny regarding the breadth of competition considered. 5. The relatively short duration of one year could imply a need for flexibility or a pilot phase. 6. Geographic concentration in Washington D.C. aligns with the likely location of administrative support needs for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $13.8 million for one year of administrative services is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for office administrative support is challenging without more specific service details. However, the price appears to be within a reasonable range for comprehensive administrative support for a federal agency of USCIS's size. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and service levels to industry standards and other government contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for broader competition than sole-source awards. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is designed to encourage competition among qualified vendors. The use of a BPA Call suggests that multiple vendors may have been on the BPA, and this call was then competed among them. The competitive nature of SAP generally leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP is beneficial for taxpayers as it leverages market forces to secure services at competitive prices, preventing potential overspending associated with non-competitive procurements.

Public Impact

USCIS benefits from essential administrative support, enabling smoother processing of immigration services. The contract ensures the continuity of critical back-office functions, such as record-keeping and general office operations. Services are primarily delivered within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, supporting federal agency operations. The contract likely supports a workforce involved in administrative tasks, contributing to employment in the region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality.
The one-year duration might indicate a short-term need or a potential for contract instability if not renewed.
Without knowing the specific services rendered, it's hard to gauge if the $13.8M represents optimal value.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process (SAP) suggests a degree of market validation for the price and service.
The use of a BPA Call indicates a pre-existing relationship or framework, potentially leading to efficient service delivery.
The contract supports a critical government function (USCIS operations), indicating alignment with agency mission.

Sector Analysis

Office administrative services (NAICS 561110) represent a significant segment of the government contracting market, encompassing a wide range of support functions. This contract fits within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Spending in this area is often driven by the operational needs of federal agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader categories of administrative and support services procured by agencies like Homeland Security.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, large businesses like Serco Services Inc. were eligible to compete and win. There is no information provided on subcontracting plans, so the impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. Without specific set-aside goals or subcontracting requirements, this contract does not directly appear to benefit small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Homeland Security and specifically U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. 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 Blanket Purchase Agreements
Office Administrative Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for service disruption if contract is not renewed.
Limited long-term investment incentive for contractor due to short duration.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.8 million to SERCO SERVICES INC. SUPPORT

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 $13.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-09-28. End: 2006-09-28.

What specific administrative services were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Office Administrative Services' under NAICS code 561110. This broad category typically includes services such as general office management, record keeping, mail processing, scheduling, reception services, and other clerical support functions. However, the exact scope of services, specific tasks, and deliverables are not detailed in the provided data. For a comprehensive understanding, one would need to review the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), which would outline the precise duties expected of Serco Services Inc. and the performance standards they were required to meet.

How does the $13.8 million award compare to historical spending for similar administrative services at USCIS?

Comparing the $13.8 million award to historical spending requires access to USCIS's historical contract data for administrative services. Without that specific data, a direct comparison is not possible. However, the award amount for a one-year contract suggests a significant level of support. If USCIS has previously contracted for similar administrative functions, analyzing those past awards (value, duration, contractor, competition level) would provide context. A higher or lower value than previous similar contracts could indicate changes in service scope, market rates, or efficiency gains/losses. Further investigation into USCIS's procurement history for administrative support would be necessary for a robust historical comparison.

What is the track record of Serco Services Inc. in performing federal administrative support contracts?

Serco Services Inc. has a history of performing various contracts with the U.S. federal government. To assess their track record specifically for administrative support, a review of their past performance on similar contracts is needed. This would involve examining contract databases for awards to Serco in the 'Office Administrative Services' category or related support functions. Key aspects to evaluate would include contract values, durations, performance ratings (if available), and any documented issues or successes. A positive track record on comparable contracts would suggest a lower risk for this DHS award, while a history of performance problems might raise concerns.

What are the potential risks associated with a one-year contract for essential administrative services?

A primary risk associated with a one-year contract for essential administrative services is the potential for disruption if the contract is not renewed or is awarded to a different vendor upon expiration. This could lead to a transition period impacting service continuity. Additionally, a short-term contract might limit the contractor's incentive to invest in long-term process improvements. From a cost perspective, if the services are critical and the market has limited providers, a one-year term might not allow for the negotiation of the best long-term pricing. However, it also provides flexibility for the agency to re-evaluate needs and market conditions annually.

How does the use of a BPA Call impact the overall value and efficiency of this procurement?

Using a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, especially when competed, can enhance both value and efficiency. A BPA establishes pre-negotiated terms, conditions, and pricing structures with one or more vendors, streamlining the ordering process for specific supplies or services. A 'Call' against that BPA then allows for the issuance of an order. When this call is competed, it leverages the established BPA framework while still introducing competition for the specific task order. This typically results in faster award times and potentially better pricing than starting a new procurement from scratch, while still ensuring fair market value is obtained through the competitive call.

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Serco Group PLC (UEI: 298452707)

Address: 12930 WORLDGATE DR STE 600, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG05A00064

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline