USCIS Awards $46M SCOSS Contract to The Oryza Group LLC for Service Center Operations Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $46,146,248 ($46.1M)

Contractor: THE Oryza Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2015-11-25

End Date: 2016-11-30

Contract Duration: 371 days

Daily Burn Rate: $124.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS)

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT ALBANS, FRANKLIN County, VERMONT, 05478

State: Vermont Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $46.1 million to THE ORYZA GROUP LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS) Key points: 1. Contract value of $46.15 million for a one-year period. 2. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Focuses on office administrative services, specifically labor hours. 4. Potential for significant taxpayer impact due to the contract's scale.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $46.15 million for a one-year duration appears substantial for office administrative services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for operational support is necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. However, the exclusion of specific sources warrants further investigation to ensure maximum price discovery and value for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The $46.15 million expenditure represents a significant allocation of taxpayer funds for administrative support services. Ensuring cost-effectiveness and efficient service delivery is crucial for maximizing the value of this investment.

Public Impact

Supports critical operations within U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of service center processing. Ensures continuity of essential administrative functions for USCIS.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Exclusion of sources in competition
Labor hours pricing model can be prone to cost overruns if not managed tightly

Positive Signals

Full and open competition methodology
Contract supports essential government functions

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under office administrative services, a broad category supporting various government functions. Benchmarks for similar administrative support contracts can vary widely based on scope and duration, but $46 million for a year indicates a significant operational requirement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated factor in this award, as the 'sb' field is false. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or subcontract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would involve monitoring The Oryza Group LLC's performance against service level agreements and ensuring adherence to contract terms. The 'br' value of 124383 might relate to a specific performance metric or budget, requiring further context.

Related Government Programs

Office Administrative Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Programs

Risk Flags

Potential lack of full market competition due to source exclusion.
Risk of cost overruns with a labor-hours pricing model.
Limited transparency on small business involvement.
Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $46.1 million to THE ORYZA GROUP LLC. IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE ORYZA GROUP 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 $46.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-11-25. End: 2016-11-30.

What was the rationale for excluding specific sources in the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' method, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The rationale for excluding sources typically involves specific technical requirements, past performance, or unique capabilities not met by all potential bidders. Understanding this rationale is key to assessing if the exclusion limited competition and potentially inflated the price. Without detailed justification, it's difficult to definitively state the price impact, but any exclusion inherently narrows the competitive pool.

How does the 'labor hours' pricing model for this $46 million contract ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns for USCIS?

A labor hours model relies heavily on robust oversight, detailed work breakdown structures, and strict adherence to estimated hours. USCIS must actively monitor actual hours worked against projections, scrutinize timesheets, and ensure that the tasks performed are necessary and efficient. Implementing strong performance metrics and potentially incorporating fixed-price elements for specific deliverables can help mitigate overrun risks.

What specific administrative services are covered under this contract, and how do they directly contribute to the effectiveness of USCIS operations?

The contract supports 'USCIS Service Center Operations Support Services (SCOSS),' likely encompassing tasks such as case processing support, data entry, document management, customer service, and general administrative assistance within USCIS service centers. These services are crucial for the timely and accurate adjudication of immigration benefits, directly impacting applicant experience and national security functions.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HSSCCG-14-R-00027

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8326 OFFICE PARK DR, DOUGLASVILLE, GA, 30134

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,146,248

Exercised Options: $46,146,248

Current Obligation: $46,146,248

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG15D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline