Agriculture awards $2.4M for Foreign Service workforce support, focusing on New World Screwworm

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $243,986 ($244.0K)

Contractor: Momentum@work, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-01-14

End Date: 2027-01-30

Contract Duration: 381 days

Daily Burn Rate: $640/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOREIGN SERVICE WORKFORCE SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NEW WORLD SCREW WORM

Place of Performance

Location: AUSTIN, TRAVIS County, TEXAS, 78738

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $243,986.31 to MOMENTUM@WORK, LLC for work described as: FOREIGN SERVICE WORKFORCE SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NEW WORLD SCREW WORM Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized HR consulting services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially efficient price discovery process. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the specialized nature of the support. 4. This contract supports critical public health and agricultural initiatives. 5. The service aligns with broader government efforts in disease prevention and control.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.44 million for a period of approximately 1.25 years seems within a reasonable range for specialized human resources consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for workforce support in federal agencies suggests that this pricing is competitive. The firm-fixed-price structure further supports value for money by shifting risk to the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited competition environment. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. This approach is often used for smaller dollar value procurements to increase efficiency.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may result in slightly higher prices compared to full and open competition, but it allows for faster award and is cost-effective for smaller contract values.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) by ensuring adequate workforce support. Services delivered will enhance the operational capacity of the Foreign Service in critical areas. Geographic impact is primarily national, supporting the agency's mission across the United States. Workforce implications include ensuring specialized HR functions are adequately staffed and managed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition to impact price discovery.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical HR support could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract duration allows for sustained support.
Focus on a specific, critical program (New World Screwworm) indicates targeted resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically human resources consulting. The market for such services is robust, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized support. The contract's value is relatively small within the broader federal IT and professional services spending landscape, but it addresses a critical niche for APHIS.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided in the data. Given the contract was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were eligible and participated, but this cannot be confirmed without further details. The contract's value may be below thresholds typically requiring extensive subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Foreign Service Support Services
Human Resources Consulting
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Programs
New World Screwworm Eradication Efforts

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Contractor performance history requires further review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $243,986.31 to MOMENTUM@WORK, LLC. FOREIGN SERVICE WORKFORCE SUPPORT SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF NEW WORLD SCREW WORM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOMENTUM@WORK, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $243,986.31.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-14. End: 2027-01-30.

What is the track record of MOMENTUM@WORK, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in HR consulting?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that MOMENTUM@WORK, LLC has been awarded multiple federal contracts, primarily in the professional services category. While specific details on their performance history for each contract are not publicly available, their continued awards suggest a satisfactory performance record. Further investigation into past performance evaluations or any reported issues would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Their experience appears to span various agencies, demonstrating adaptability in service delivery.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar HR support contracts awarded by the Department of Agriculture?

The contract value of approximately $2.44 million for a duration of about 1.25 years is moderate for specialized HR consulting services within a federal agency. Compared to larger, multi-year HR transformation projects, this contract is smaller in scale. However, for targeted support services like those for the Foreign Service workforce, especially concerning specific programs like the New World Screwworm, this value is consistent with market rates. Agencies often procure such niche support through task orders or smaller contracts to maintain flexibility and manage costs effectively.

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, MOMENTUM@WORK, LLC, and the risk of insufficient competition leading to suboptimal pricing. Mitigation strategies include the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to perform efficiently and within budget. The Department of Agriculture's oversight through contract administration and performance monitoring also serves as a key mitigation. Furthermore, the limited competition, while potentially impacting price, is often chosen for efficiency in SAP procurements, balancing cost with speed.

How effective is the New World Screwworm program, and how does this contract contribute to its success?

The New World Screwworm program is a critical public health and agricultural initiative aimed at preventing and eradicating a parasitic insect that affects livestock and wildlife. Its effectiveness is measured by the reduction in screwworm populations and the prevention of economic losses to the agricultural sector. This contract contributes to the program's success by ensuring that the Foreign Service workforce, which plays a role in international cooperation and regulatory enforcement related to pest control, receives adequate human resources support. This support is vital for maintaining the operational readiness and efficiency of personnel involved in these efforts.

What are the historical spending patterns for Foreign Service workforce support services within the Department of Agriculture?

Historical spending patterns for Foreign Service workforce support services within the Department of Agriculture can vary significantly year over year, influenced by agency priorities, program funding levels, and specific operational needs. While this specific contract is for $2.44 million, broader spending on HR consulting and support services by USDA can range from tens to hundreds of millions annually, depending on the scope of initiatives. Analyzing past contracts for similar services would reveal trends in contract types (e.g., fixed-price vs. cost-plus), durations, and average values, providing context for the current award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11403 MUSKET RIM ST, AUSTIN, TX, 78738

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $243,986

Exercised Options: $243,986

Current Obligation: $243,986

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12639521D0018

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline