DHS awards $17.7M for IDP card operations support, with a 776-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,697,859 ($17.7M)

Contractor: Csra LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2009-06-05

End Date: 2011-07-21

Contract Duration: 776 days

Daily Burn Rate: $22.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: CARD OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR IDP. BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR A SIX MONTH BASE PERIOD AND A THREE MONTH OPTION PERIOD.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $17.7 million to CSRA LLC for work described as: CARD OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR IDP. BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR A SIX MONTH BASE PERIOD AND A THREE MONTH OPTION PERIOD. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the 776-day period of performance. 2. Competition dynamics for this delivery order were not fully detailed, impacting price discovery assessment. 3. Risk indicators are low, given the firm-fixed-price structure and established contractor. 4. Performance context suggests a bridge contract to maintain essential services. 5. This contract falls within IT services, specifically computer-related services. 6. The contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating some level of competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $17.7 million over 776 days, averaging around $22,800 per day, seems within a reasonable range for IT support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for card operations support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the 'full-and-open' competition level generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market-driven price for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Citizens and immigrants benefit from the continued operation of IDP card services. Essential IT support for identity document processing is delivered. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the services are likely managed. Workforce implications include the potential for continued employment for IT support personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the competitive delivery order.
The bridge contract nature may indicate prior planning or transition challenges.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type limits cost overrun risk.
Awarded to a single contractor (CSRA LLC) suggests potential for continuity and efficiency.
Competitive award process generally leads to better value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Information Technology sector, specifically within Other Computer Related Services. The market for IT support services, including identity management and card operations, is substantial and highly competitive. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal IT spending, supporting a critical function within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

As a competitive delivery order, oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services contracting officer and program managers. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any performance issues or audits.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Services
Identity Management Systems
Card Production and Issuance
Homeland Security IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Bridge Contract
Limited Competition Details

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $17.7 million to CSRA LLC. CARD OPERATIONS SUPPORT FOR IDP. BRIDGE CONTRACT FOR A SIX MONTH BASE PERIOD AND A THREE MONTH OPTION PERIOD.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CSRA LLC.

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 $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-06-05. End: 2011-07-21.

What is the track record of CSRA LLC in providing similar IT support services to federal agencies, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security?

CSRA LLC, now part of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), has a significant history of providing IT services to various federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Their experience spans a wide range of IT support, including infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and application development. For DHS specifically, CSRA has been involved in numerous contracts supporting critical functions. Their track record suggests a capacity to handle complex IT operations. However, a detailed review of past performance evaluations and any past performance issues on similar contracts would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their suitability for this specific card operations support role.

How does the $17.7 million contract value compare to similar card operations support contracts awarded by federal agencies?

The $17.7 million contract value for 776 days of card operations support, averaging approximately $22,800 per day, needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts. Factors such as the scope of services (e.g., card design, production, personalization, distribution, security features), the type of cards supported (e.g., identification, access, payment), and the volume of cards processed significantly influence pricing. Without specific details on these factors for this contract and comparable ones, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, for large-scale federal identification or access card programs, this daily rate appears to be within a plausible range, assuming a robust set of services is included.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance issues by the contractor (CSRA LLC), cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price structure is not adequately managed, and potential disruptions to critical IDP card operations if service delivery falters. Mitigation strategies are inherent in the contract type and award process. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor. The competitive delivery order award implies a selection based on technical merit and price, reducing the risk of selecting an underqualified vendor. Furthermore, ongoing oversight by USCIS contracting officers and program managers, along with defined performance standards and reporting requirements, are crucial for monitoring and mitigating performance risks throughout the contract's life.

How effective is the 'full-and-open' competition in ensuring optimal value for taxpayer dollars in this specific instance?

The 'full-and-open' competition, as indicated by the award type 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER', is designed to foster a competitive environment that theoretically leads to optimal value. This means multiple vendors were likely invited to propose solutions and pricing. The effectiveness in this specific instance hinges on the number of actual bidders, the rigor of the evaluation process, and the resulting price. While 'full-and-open' competition is a strong indicator of a fair process, without knowing the number of bids received and the spread of those bids, it's difficult to definitively state the degree of value optimization. However, it provides a much stronger foundation for value than a sole-source award.

What is the historical spending pattern for IDP card operations support at USCIS, and how does this contract fit within that trend?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for IDP card operations support at USCIS would require access to detailed historical contract data. This specific contract, valued at $17.7 million over approximately 26 months (including option period), represents a significant investment in maintaining essential identity document processing capabilities. If USCIS has consistently relied on similar contracts for this function, this award fits within an established spending trend. If this is a new or significantly larger/smaller expenditure compared to previous support mechanisms, it might indicate a shift in strategy, increased demand, or a change in the contracting approach. Understanding the duration and value of prior contracts for this service is key to contextualizing this award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSSCCG-09-Q-00187

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Computer Sciences Corporation (UEI: 009581091)

Address: 7700 HUBBLE DR, LANHAM SEABROOK, MD, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,697,859

Exercised Options: $17,697,859

Current Obligation: $17,697,859

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F4381G

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline