USDA awards $3.4M for application reviews, with Falcon Capital Advisors LLC managing the task order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,400,975 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Falcon Capital Advisors LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-05-01

End Date: 2025-04-30

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: USDA-RD ECONNECTIVITY - TASK ORDER #9 ROUND 5 APPLICATION REVIEWS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.4 million to FALCON CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC for work described as: USDA-RD ECONNECTIVITY - TASK ORDER #9 ROUND 5 APPLICATION REVIEWS Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scope of administrative and management consulting services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and a defined performance period. 4. Performance context involves critical application review processes for USDA's e-Connectivity program. 5. Sector positioning is within administrative management consulting services supporting federal programs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.4 million for a 364-day period for application review services seems aligned with market rates for specialized consulting. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts within the USDA or other federal agencies would provide further context on value. The firm fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs and provides predictability for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the initial solicitation might have had specific criteria, it was ultimately open to all eligible bidders. The presence of one bid suggests that the market for this specific service might be concentrated or that the requirements were highly specialized, potentially limiting the number of interested parties.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, even with a single bidder, generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government sought the best possible price and quality. However, a single bid warrants scrutiny to ensure the competition was truly robust and not artificially constrained.

Public Impact

Rural communities seeking broadband expansion will benefit from efficient and thorough application reviews. The services delivered include critical administrative and management consulting for the USDA's e-Connectivity program. The geographic impact is nationwide, supporting rural areas across the United States. Workforce implications are primarily within the contractor's organization, providing specialized consulting expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition if only one bid was received under full and open terms.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical application review processes.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract structure limits cost overruns.
Clear performance period (364 days) provides defined project scope.
Awarded by the Department of Agriculture, a key agency for rural development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector is characterized by firms providing expertise in organizational efficiency, strategic planning, and operational management. The market size for federal government consulting services is substantial, with agencies frequently outsourcing specialized tasks like application reviews to leverage external expertise and manage workload fluctuations. This contract fits within the broader landscape of federal IT and rural development support services.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the most qualified bidder, regardless of business size, for these specialized consulting services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Rural Housing Service within the Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for administering the e-Connectivity program. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services within the agreed-upon timeframe and budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific performance metrics and review outcomes may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

USDA e-Connectivity Program
Rural Broadband Initiatives
Federal Grant Application Management
Administrative Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to single bid.
Dependence on contractor for critical program function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.4 million to FALCON CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC. USDA-RD ECONNECTIVITY - TASK ORDER #9 ROUND 5 APPLICATION REVIEWS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FALCON CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Rural Housing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2025-04-30.

What is the track record of Falcon Capital Advisors LLC in performing similar federal contract services?

Falcon Capital Advisors LLC has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily in consulting and administrative support. While specific details on past performance for similar application review tasks within USDA programs would require deeper investigation into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS, their presence as a bidder and awardee suggests they possess the necessary qualifications. Analyzing their past performance ratings, contract values, and client agencies would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and expertise in managing government projects, particularly those involving complex review processes.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or budget for this task order?

The awarded amount of $3,400,975.40 represents the total value for the 364-day task order. Without access to the government's initial cost estimates or budget allocations for this specific requirement, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract implies that this amount was determined to be fair and reasonable through the competitive bidding process. If this was the only bid received, further analysis would be needed to confirm if the price reflects competitive market rates or if there's potential for overpricing due to limited competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured?

Key performance indicators for this administrative management and general management consulting services contract would likely focus on the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of the application reviews. Specific KPIs might include the number of applications reviewed per period, the adherence to review criteria, the quality of assessment reports, and compliance with deadlines set by the USDA Rural Housing Service. Performance measurement would typically involve regular progress reports from Falcon Capital Advisors LLC, government quality assurance surveillance, and potentially milestone-based evaluations to ensure the contractor is meeting all contractual obligations.

What is the historical spending pattern for application review services within the USDA's e-Connectivity program?

Analyzing historical spending for application review services within the USDA's e-Connectivity program is crucial for context. This would involve examining previous task orders or contracts awarded for similar functions, noting the values, durations, and contractors involved. Understanding if this $3.4 million award is consistent with, higher than, or lower than previous expenditures for comparable services can indicate trends in pricing, scope, or program evolution. Significant deviations might warrant further investigation into the reasons, such as increased application volume, expanded review scope, or changes in market rates.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single bidder for this critical function?

Relying on a single bidder, even under a 'full and open competition' umbrella, presents several risks. Firstly, it raises concerns about the robustness of the competition, potentially indicating that the government did not receive the most advantageous pricing or innovative solutions available in the market. Secondly, it increases the government's dependence on that specific contractor, potentially weakening its leverage in negotiations or contract modifications. Lastly, if the contractor underperforms or faces unforeseen issues, the government may have limited alternative options for continuity of service, potentially impacting the timely disbursement of e-Connectivity funds.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 427 N LEE ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,400,975

Exercised Options: $3,400,975

Current Obligation: $3,400,975

Actual Outlays: $3,400,975

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12C0BA22D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline