Chickasaw Business Solutions awarded $17M contract for project management and advisory services by USDA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,066,260 ($17.1M)

Contractor: Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2021-09-24

End Date: 2025-07-23

Contract Duration: 1,398 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROJECT MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS ADVISORY, AND DECISION SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20250

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $17.1 million to CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: PROJECT MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS ADVISORY, AND DECISION SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential project management and decision support to the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. 2. The contract's duration of nearly four years suggests a need for sustained support in these critical areas. 3. Services encompass a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical support, indicating a versatile role for the contractor. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for the defined scope of work. 5. Awarded to Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC, this contract represents a significant investment in specialized advisory capabilities. 6. The contract is not available for competition, raising questions about the procurement process and potential alternatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services rendered and comparable contracts. The $17 million price tag over approximately 3.75 years suggests an average annual cost of around $4.5 million. This figure needs to be evaluated against the complexity and criticality of the support provided to the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Without data on the number of personnel, their labor rates, or specific deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price structure indicates an attempt to manage cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a sole-source procurement, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The data indicates it was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION.' This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, or in situations where competition is not feasible or practical. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a bidding process that could have potentially driven down prices or offered a wider range of solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding. The government's ability to negotiate favorable terms is also limited in a sole-source scenario.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the leadership within the Department of Agriculture, specifically the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, who receive critical decision support. The services delivered include project management, business advisory, and decision support, aiming to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural programs. The contract's impact is primarily focused within the federal government's administrative and policy-making functions, rather than direct public services or geographic programs. Workforce implications are likely internal to the contractor, Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC, who will provide the personnel to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award raises questions about the justification for not seeking competitive bids.
Broad service description makes it difficult to assess specific performance metrics and value.
Contract duration of nearly four years may lock in services without regular re-evaluation of market alternatives.

Positive Signals

Contract provides specialized project management and advisory services crucial for high-level decision-making.
Firm fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government.
Award to Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC, supports a specific business entity.
Contract duration suggests a recognized and ongoing need for these services.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a significant part of federal contracting. This contract falls under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990). This broad category includes a wide array of services that do not fit into more specific categories. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, supporting various agencies in areas like management consulting, research, and specialized technical support. Benchmarking requires comparing this contract's value and scope to other similar advisory and project management contracts within the government, which can be challenging due to the diverse nature of services offered.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC. Information regarding whether this company qualifies as a small business or if there are specific small business subcontracting requirements is not provided in the data. As the contract is sole-source, it is unlikely to have been set aside for small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine the company's size status and any potential impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. The contract's firm fixed-price nature provides some cost control. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the specific performance metrics would be key areas for oversight. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Agriculture Management and Consulting Services
Federal Project Management Support Contracts
Government Advisory Services
Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Broad service description

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $17.1 million to CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC. PROJECT MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS ADVISORY, AND DECISION SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-24. End: 2025-07-23.

What is the specific nature of the 'project management, business advisory, and decision support services' provided under this contract?

The provided data offers a high-level description of the services as 'PROJECT MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS ADVISORY, AND DECISION SUPPORT SERVICES' under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). Without more detailed documentation, the precise scope remains broad. These services likely involve assisting the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services with strategic planning, program implementation oversight, risk assessment, policy analysis, and operational efficiency improvements. This could include tasks such as developing project plans, analyzing data for decision-making, providing recommendations on business processes, and facilitating communication across different departments or stakeholders within the USDA. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined set of deliverables or a scope of work that is expected to be completed within the contract period.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The contract was designated as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not included in the provided data. Generally, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services. This could be due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, urgent and compelling needs where competition is impractical, or if the contractor is the only source capable of performing the work. For this contract, the government must have determined that Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC possessed specific expertise or qualifications essential for supporting the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services that could not be met through a competitive process. A detailed justification document would typically be required to support such a decision.

How does the $17 million contract value compare to similar advisory services contracts within the Department of Agriculture?

Comparing the $17.07 million contract value for Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC to similar contracts within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires access to broader federal procurement data. This contract spans approximately 3.75 years (1398 days), equating to an average annual value of roughly $4.5 million. This figure needs to be contextualized by the specific nature and criticality of the advisory services. Contracts for high-level strategic support to senior officials often command significant values. To perform a robust comparison, one would need to identify other contracts providing similar project management, business advisory, and decision support to USDA leadership or equivalent positions in other large federal agencies, considering factors like contract duration, scope complexity, and the specific agency mission.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract of this magnitude and duration?

Sole-source contracts, especially those of significant value ($17.07 million) and long duration (nearly four years), carry inherent risks. The primary risk is the potential for reduced value for money, as the absence of competition means the government may not achieve the lowest possible price. There's also a risk of complacency from the contractor, who faces no direct competitive pressure to innovate or maintain high performance standards. Furthermore, the government's leverage in negotiating terms or addressing performance issues may be diminished. Without a competitive process, it's harder to ensure that the chosen contractor is truly the best fit or that alternative, potentially more cost-effective solutions, were overlooked. The long duration also means that market conditions or agency needs could change, but the contract locks in the current arrangement.

What performance metrics or oversight mechanisms are likely in place for this contract?

While specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data, a contract of this nature, especially a firm fixed-price one, would typically include performance standards and oversight mechanisms. The contracting officer and the program office (within the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services' purview) are responsible for monitoring performance. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely be established to measure the contractor's effectiveness in project management, the quality and timeliness of advisory recommendations, and overall contribution to decision-making processes. Regular progress reports, meetings, and potentially formal reviews would be part of the oversight. The firm fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to meet defined objectives efficiently, but active government oversight is crucial to ensure the services meet the required standards and deliver the intended value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2600 JOHN SAXON BLVD STE 2223, NORMAN, OK, 73071

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,066,260

Exercised Options: $17,066,260

Current Obligation: $17,066,260

Actual Outlays: $15,800,056

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline