PAE Professional Services awarded $59.3M for business support services by DHS USCIS

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $59,334,744 ($59.3M)

Contractor: PAE Professional Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2013-09-01

End Date: 2014-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $163.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ASC OPERATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22043

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $59.3 million to PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ASC OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 2. Fixed-price contract type may incentivize contractor efficiency. 3. Contract duration of one year provides a defined performance period. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Business Support Services,' a broad category. 5. Awarded to a single contractor, PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC. 6. Geographic location in Virginia may indicate specific operational needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $59.3 million for a one-year period for business support services appears substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for 'All Other Business Support Services' would be necessary to determine value for money. The firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for cost control, but without detailed service descriptions and performance metrics, a definitive assessment of pricing and value is challenging. The absence of specific performance data makes it difficult to compare efficiency or effectiveness against industry standards.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of three bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While three bidders is better than a sole-source award, a higher number of bids would typically lead to more robust price discovery and potentially lower prices for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best possible pricing and service through market forces. However, the moderate number of bidders means that the full potential for cost savings might not have been realized.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within the Department of Homeland Security, receiving essential business support. The services delivered likely encompass a range of administrative, operational, or logistical support functions critical to USCIS operations. The contract's geographic impact is centered in Virginia, suggesting support for operations or facilities located in that state. Workforce implications include the potential for job creation or utilization of skilled personnel by PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Broad service category ('All Other Business Support Services') could mask inefficiencies or scope creep.
Limited information on specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess contractor performance objectively.
The contract value is significant, warranting close monitoring for cost-effectiveness over its duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a commitment to market-based pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Defined one-year duration allows for regular performance review and potential re-competition.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Business Support Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide array of services that enable the functioning of government agencies. This sector is characterized by a mix of large and small providers, with significant competition often driven by government contracting vehicles. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific nature of the business support services rendered, ranging from administrative tasks to specialized operational assistance.

Small Business Impact

The contract indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside consideration, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) field is false. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best value through open competition, rather than specifically targeting small business engagement for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the relevant program office within USCIS. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DHS Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Business Process Outsourcing
Government Operations Support Services
USCIS Operational Support

Risk Flags

Broad service category may obscure specific performance issues.
Limited competition (3 bidders) could impact price optimization.
Dependence on a single contractor for a year carries inherent performance risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $59.3 million to PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF ASC OPERATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, 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 $59.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-09-01. End: 2014-08-31.

What specific types of business support services were included under this contract?

The contract falls under the NAICS code 561499, 'All Other Business Support Services.' This is a broad category that can encompass a wide range of activities, including but not limited to administrative support, call center operations, document management, mail processing, facilities support, and other operational assistance. Without access to the detailed Statement of Work (SOW) or contract line item numbers (CLINs), the precise nature of the services provided by PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC remains unspecified. However, given the agency (USCIS), these services likely support the agency's mission-critical functions related to immigration and citizenship processing, potentially involving data entry, case file management, customer service, or logistical support for personnel and facilities.

How does the $59.3 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar services by USCIS or DHS?

To accurately benchmark the $59.3 million contract value, a detailed analysis of historical spending patterns for similar 'All Other Business Support Services' by USCIS and the broader Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be required. This would involve examining contract databases for awards with the same or comparable NAICS codes over several fiscal years. Factors such as contract duration, scope of services, and inflation would need to be considered. Without this comparative data, it is difficult to ascertain if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in such services. However, the value suggests a significant requirement for ongoing support.

What is PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC's track record with government contracts, particularly within DHS?

PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC has a substantial history of performing government contracts across various agencies, including significant work with the Department of Defense and other federal entities. Their portfolio often includes logistics, technical services, and operational support. Within DHS, PAE has likely held contracts related to facilities management, security services, and operational support. A review of their contract history would reveal their performance ratings, any past performance issues or commendations, and their experience with similar service categories. Their established presence suggests they possess the infrastructure and expertise to manage large-scale service contracts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for business support services, KPIs might include metrics such as response times for inquiries, accuracy rates for data entry or processing, service availability, customer satisfaction scores, and adherence to deadlines. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that the contractor is expected to meet defined service levels. The effectiveness of the contract's success measurement would depend on the clarity and measurability of these KPIs as outlined in the contract's Statement of Work and Performance Work Statement.

What is the risk associated with relying on a single contractor for these essential business support services?

The primary risk associated with relying on a single contractor, even one with a strong track record like PAE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC, is the potential for service disruption if the contractor fails to perform, faces financial difficulties, or encounters unforeseen operational issues. This could lead to delays in USCIS operations. Additionally, a lack of ongoing competition during the contract term might reduce the incentive for the contractor to proactively improve services or offer cost efficiencies beyond the initial agreement. Mitigating this risk involves robust contract management, clear performance expectations, and contingency planning by the government.

How does the $59.3 million award fit into the overall IT or administrative services spending landscape for DHS?

This $59.3 million award for business support services represents a notable investment within DHS's operational budget. While not strictly an IT contract, business support services often have significant IT components, such as data management systems, communication platforms, and workflow automation tools. Within the broader DHS spending landscape, which includes massive expenditures on security, defense, and infrastructure, this contract value is substantial for a specific support function. It highlights the agency's reliance on external contractors to manage and execute essential, non-core functions, freeing up government personnel for mission-critical tasks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › All Other Business Support Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Altegrity, Inc. (UEI: 947236667)

Address: 7799 LEESBURG PIKE STE 400 S, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22043

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $59,334,744

Exercised Options: $59,334,744

Current Obligation: $59,334,744

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG12D00003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline