USCIS Awards $54.9M Contract to The Oryza Group LLC for SCOSS Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $54,882,541 ($54.9M)

Contractor: THE Oryza Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2016-12-01

End Date: 2017-11-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $150.8K/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: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20529

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $54.9 million to THE ORYZA GROUP LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF USCIS SERVICE CENTER OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES (SCOSS) Key points: 1. The contract value of $54.9M is moderate for IT support services. 2. The Oryza Group LLC is a small business, potentially limiting large-scale competition. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process. 4. The service category falls under Office Administrative Services, which is a common area for federal contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $54.9M for a 364-day period appears reasonable for specialized support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative and operational support would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a competitive process was initiated, but specific sources may have been excluded. This method aims for fair pricing through competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is designed to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently, though the specific impact depends on the pricing achieved relative to market rates.

Public Impact

Supports critical operations for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Ensures continuity of service for immigration and naturalization processes. Impacts the efficiency and effectiveness of USCIS administrative functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited vendor pool due to specific service requirements.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical operational support.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports essential government functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under administrative and operational support services, a common category within federal IT and professional services spending. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The Oryza Group LLC is identified as a small business. While this can be a positive signal for small business utilization, it may also indicate a more specialized or niche service offering.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services contracting officer and program managers to ensure performance and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract duration is close to one year, requiring potential re-competition soon.
Small business status may limit scalability for very large or rapidly changing needs.
Specifics of 'exclusion of sources' are not detailed, potentially limiting competition.
Reliance on labor hours can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $54.9 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 $54.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-12-01. End: 2017-11-30.

What specific administrative services are included in SCOSS, and how do they align with USCIS's core mission?

The SCOSS contract likely encompasses a range of administrative support functions essential for the day-to-day operations of USCIS Service Centers. This could include tasks such as case file management, data entry, document processing, customer service support, and general office administration. These services directly support the processing of immigration and naturalization applications, aligning with USCIS's core mission of managing lawful immigration to the United States.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a significant contract for operational support to a small business?

Awarding a substantial contract to a small business, while beneficial for small business goals, can introduce risks related to scalability, resource depth, and financial stability. The Oryza Group LLC might face challenges in rapidly scaling its workforce or resources to meet unforeseen surges in demand or complex requirements. There's also a potential risk if the business experiences financial difficulties or if key personnel depart, which could disrupt critical USCIS operations.

How effectively does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' method ensure optimal value for taxpayer money in this context?

This procurement method aims to balance broad competition with specific needs by allowing all responsible sources to compete initially, then potentially excluding certain ones based on defined criteria. While it can foster competition and drive better pricing than a sole-source award, the exclusion of sources could limit the competitive landscape. The ultimate effectiveness in ensuring optimal value depends on whether the remaining pool of bidders was sufficiently competitive and whether the pricing achieved reflects fair market value for the services rendered.

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: $54,882,541

Exercised Options: $54,882,541

Current Obligation: $54,882,541

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSSCCG15D00002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline