Peace Corps Awards $812K for Procurement Analyst Trainer & Overseas Contracting Officer Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $81,210 ($81.2K)

Contractor: Katherine Emily Tongia

Awarding Agency: Peace Corps

Start Date: 2026-04-05

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 178 days

Daily Burn Rate: $456/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: A 744A PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AS A PROCUREMENT ANALYST TRAINER & OVERSEAS CONTRACTING OFFICER SUPPORT FOR OFFICE OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BASED AT PEACE CORPS/TONGA. SEE CONTINUATION PAGES FOR APPLICABLE STATEMENT OF WORK AND T

Plain-Language Summary

Peace Corps obligated $81,210 to KATHERINE EMILY TONGIA for work described as: A 744A PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AS A PROCUREMENT ANALYST TRAINER & OVERSEAS CONTRACTING OFFICER SUPPORT FOR OFFICE OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BASED AT PEACE CORPS/TONGA. SEE CONTINUATION PAGES FOR APPLICABLE STATEMENT OF WORK AND T Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Katherine Emily Tongia for specialized training and support. 2. Services are critical for the Peace Corps' Chief Financial Officer in Tonga. 3. The contract duration is 178 days, ending September 30, 2026. 4. This is a sole-source award, raising questions about competition and potential cost savings.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $812,100 for a 178-day period suggests a high daily rate. Without benchmarks for similar specialized training and overseas support roles, it's difficult to assess if this pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may prevent the government from obtaining the best possible value through competitive bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Ensures critical financial and contracting support for Peace Corps operations in Tonga. Provides specialized training to enhance procurement capabilities within the agency. Supports overseas contracting officers, potentially improving efficiency and compliance in challenging environments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for overpricing due to sole-source award
Limited transparency on trainer qualifications and experience

Positive Signals

Addresses a specific, critical need for specialized expertise
Supports essential functions of the Chief Financial Officer's office
Focuses on training and capacity building

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under personal services, specifically for training and support in procurement and contracting. The value is moderate for specialized, short-term government support roles, but the lack of competition warrants scrutiny.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not competed and awarded to an individual, suggesting no direct benefit or opportunity for small businesses in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and adequate performance. The Peace Corps should have robust internal controls to monitor this contract's execution and value.

Related Government Programs

All Other Personal Services
Peace Corps Contracting
Peace Corps Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition
Potentially high daily rate
Lack of transparency on contractor qualifications
Limited duration may indicate a stop-gap measure rather than strategic capacity building

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Peace Corps awarded $81,210 to KATHERINE EMILY TONGIA. A 744A PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT FOR SERVICES AS A PROCUREMENT ANALYST TRAINER & OVERSEAS CONTRACTING OFFICER SUPPORT FOR OFFICE OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BASED AT PEACE CORPS/TONGA. SEE CONTINUATION PAGES FOR APPLICABLE STATEMENT OF WORK AND T

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KATHERINE EMILY TONGIA.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Peace Corps (Peace Corps).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $81,210.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-05. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. For this contract, the Peace Corps would need to document why only Katherine Emily Tongia could provide the required specialized training and overseas contracting officer support. Steps to ensure fair pricing would include market research, comparison to similar services if available, and negotiation based on documented costs and proposed profit.

How does the daily rate for this contract compare to industry standards for similar procurement analyst trainer and overseas contracting support services?

Determining the exact daily rate requires dividing the total contract value ($812,100) by the number of contract days (178), yielding approximately $4,562 per day. This rate appears high and would need to be benchmarked against industry standards for highly specialized, short-term government contracting support, especially in overseas locations. Without specific comparable data, assessing its reasonableness is challenging.

What mechanisms are in place to measure the effectiveness and impact of the training provided by the contractor?

Effectiveness can be measured through pre- and post-training assessments, participant feedback surveys, and observation of improved performance in procurement tasks by the trainees. The Peace Corps should establish clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to the training objectives and the support provided to overseas contracting officers. Regular performance reviews with the contractor should track progress against these KPIs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Other Personal Services › All Other Personal Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 27 LOS CERROS DR, GREENBRAE, CA, 94904

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $81,210

Exercised Options: $81,210

Current Obligation: $81,210

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline