Nearly $2.7M Awarded for TN NRCS Program Support, Sole-Sourced to Clear Global Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,668,923 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Clear Global Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2022-09-19

End Date: 2025-03-28

Contract Duration: 921 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TN NRCS PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37203

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.7 million to CLEAR GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: TN NRCS PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. The contract duration of 921 days suggests a need for sustained administrative support. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty but could limit flexibility. 4. The award is for administrative services, indicating support for core program functions. 5. No small business set-aside was applied, potentially impacting small business participation. 6. The contract value is relatively modest for a multi-year federal administrative support service.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2.7 million over 921 days equates to roughly $2,900 per day. Without specific performance metrics or a detailed breakdown of services, it is difficult to benchmark this against similar contracts. However, the sole-source nature of the award means there was no direct price competition to establish a market-driven value. The fixed-price structure provides some cost predictability for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded on a sole-source basis to Clear Global Solutions LLC. This indicates that the agency likely identified a specific contractor believed to be the only source capable of meeting the requirement, or that competition was otherwise deemed impractical. The lack of open competition means potential savings from a competitive bidding process were not realized.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. This limits the government's ability to secure the best possible value for public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Tennessee Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs, which will receive essential administrative support. Services delivered include office administrative functions crucial for program operations and management within Tennessee. The geographic impact is focused on Tennessee, supporting federal program delivery at the state level. Workforce implications are primarily related to the contractor's personnel providing these administrative services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings.
Lack of small business set-aside may reduce opportunities for small businesses.
Fixed-price contract could lead to contractor profit if costs are lower than anticipated.

Positive Signals

Contract provides dedicated administrative support, potentially improving program efficiency.
Fixed-price contract offers budget certainty for the agency.
Longer contract duration allows for continuity of services.

Sector Analysis

Administrative support services are a common requirement across many federal agencies. The market for these services is broad, encompassing numerous small and large businesses. This contract fits within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more detailed service descriptions, but federal spending on administrative support is substantial across all agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned. The sole-source nature of the award further limits the automatic inclusion of small businesses in the primary contract. This means opportunities for small businesses to directly participate in this specific contract are minimal unless they are the sole-source provider.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would typically fall under the Department of Agriculture's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, with less public information available compared to competed contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NRCS State Office Support Contracts
Federal Administrative Services Contracts
Department of Agriculture Program Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
No small business set-aside

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.7 million to CLEAR GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LLC. TN NRCS PROGRAM AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLEAR GLOBAL 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 $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-19. End: 2025-03-28.

What specific administrative tasks are included in this contract?

The contract specifies 'Office Administrative Services' (NAICS code 561110). While the data does not provide a detailed statement of work, this typically includes tasks such as managing correspondence, scheduling meetings, maintaining records, preparing reports, handling travel arrangements, and providing general clerical support. For the Tennessee NRCS program, these services would be crucial for the smooth operation of state-level conservation and agricultural programs, ensuring that program staff can focus on their core mission delivery rather than administrative burdens.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and was awarded to Clear Global Solutions LLC. Federal regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source is available, or when the agency can justify that full and open competition is not practicable. Without further documentation from the Department of Agriculture, the precise justification for this sole-source award remains unclear. It could be due to specialized expertise required, a unique relationship with the contractor, or other factors that limited the pool of potential bidders.

How does the fixed-price contract type impact value for money?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, like this one, establishes a set price for the defined scope of work. This provides the government with cost certainty, as the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. From a value-for-money perspective, FFP contracts can be advantageous when the scope of work is well-defined and stable. However, if the contractor's actual costs are significantly lower than anticipated, they may realize a higher profit margin, potentially indicating that the government could have negotiated a lower price if more competition had been present or if a cost-reimbursement structure with tighter controls was used.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar administrative support services in Tennessee NRCS?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for similar services within the Tennessee NRCS. To assess this, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded by the Tennessee NRCS or similar state-level NRCS offices for administrative support. Comparing the current $2.7 million award over 921 days to previous contracts, considering inflation and changes in service scope, would provide context on whether this represents an increase or decrease in spending for such services.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for administrative support?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for administrative support is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, the government may pay more than it would in a competitive environment. Another risk is a potential decline in service quality over time, as the contractor may have less incentive to innovate or improve performance when their position is secured. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other capable businesses that were not given a chance to bid.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 12FPC422Q0032

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 101 WHITNEY BAY, WINDSOR, CO, 80550

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,668,923

Exercised Options: $2,668,923

Current Obligation: $2,668,923

Actual Outlays: $2,668,923

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline