Commerce awards $255M BPA Call for administrative management consulting services to Lynne Carbone & Associates Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $255,365 ($255.4K)

Contractor: Lynne Carbone & Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-10-02

End Date: 2024-12-03

Contract Duration: 428 days

Daily Burn Rate: $597/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MBO CHANGE

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $255,364.71 to LYNNE CARBONE & ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: MBO CHANGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. The duration of 428 days indicates a medium-term engagement for these services. 4. The award is a BPA Call, implying it's a call against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to general management consulting services. 6. The contract is designated as Small Business Type 'ST' (Small Business) but the 'sb' field is false, requiring clarification. 7. The contract is located in Maryland (SN: MARYLAND).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific BPA Call is challenging without knowing the underlying BPA's pricing structure and the specific services procured. However, the award amount of $255.36 million for administrative management and general management consulting services over approximately 14 months suggests a significant investment. Without comparable BPA Call awards or detailed service descriptions, assessing whether this represents excellent value for money is difficult. The firm fixed price contract type is generally favorable for the government in controlling costs, but the overall value depends on the quality and effectiveness of the services delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided in the data, which limits a detailed analysis of the competition dynamics. However, the designation suggests a robust process was intended. The level of competition, if indeed high, should theoretically lead to more competitive pricing and better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and service proposals, potentially leading to cost savings and higher quality outcomes.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring administrative management and general management consulting services will benefit from the expertise provided. The services delivered are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative operations within the Department of Commerce. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the contract is managed. The contract supports the workforce of Lynne Carbone & Associates Inc., potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the consulting sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the number of bidders in the full and open competition limits assessment of true competitive pressure.
The 'ST' designation for Small Business Type is present, but the 'sb' field is false, creating ambiguity about small business participation or set-aside status.
Without a clear understanding of the specific services rendered, it's difficult to assess the true value for money beyond the contract's dollar amount.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating an effort to maximize the vendor pool.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government.
The contract is a BPA Call, suggesting it leverages an existing, potentially pre-vetted, contracting vehicle.

Sector Analysis

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) is a broad category within the professional services sector. This sector is characterized by a wide range of firms, from large multinational corporations to small specialized consultancies. Federal spending in this area supports a variety of government functions, including strategic planning, organizational efficiency, and operational support. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large-scale consulting contracts awarded across federal agencies for similar services, considering factors like duration, scope, and contractor experience.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the contract has a 'ST' (Small Business Type) designation, but the 'sb' (Small Business) field is false. This creates ambiguity regarding whether this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses or if it simply falls under a category that *could* include small businesses. If it was a set-aside, it would directly benefit small businesses. If not, the implications for small businesses depend on subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed here. Further clarification is needed to understand the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Commerce's contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA Call, oversight may also be influenced by the terms and oversight mechanisms of the parent Blanket Purchase Agreement. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, but detailed performance metrics and ongoing oversight activities are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Professional Services Contracts
Department of Commerce Contracts
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Contracts

Risk Flags

Ambiguity in Small Business Designation
Lack of Specific Service Details
Limited Competition Data Provided

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $255,364.71 to LYNNE CARBONE & ASSOCIATES INC. MBO CHANGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LYNNE CARBONE & ASSOCIATES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $255,364.71.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-02. End: 2024-12-03.

What specific administrative management and general management consulting services are being procured under this BPA Call?

The provided data identifies the contract under NAICS code 541611, which covers 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' However, the specific tasks, deliverables, and objectives of this particular BPA Call are not detailed. These services could range widely, encompassing areas such as strategic planning, organizational restructuring, process improvement, policy development, program management support, and general administrative support. Without a Statement of Work (SOW) or task order details, it is impossible to ascertain the precise nature of the consulting being provided by Lynne Carbone & Associates Inc. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to evaluate the necessity and effectiveness of the procured services.

How does the $255.36 million award amount compare to typical spending for similar administrative consulting services within the federal government?

Comparing the $255.36 million award for administrative management and general management consulting services requires context regarding the duration and scope. This is a substantial amount, suggesting a large-scale or long-term engagement. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze other federal contracts awarded under NAICS 541611, particularly those that are BPA Calls or task orders against larger IDIQs or BPAs. Factors such as the number of agencies served, the complexity of the issues addressed, and the specific deliverables would be crucial. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable federal consulting contracts, it's difficult to definitively state whether this amount is high, low, or average. However, given its magnitude, it likely represents a significant portion of the Department of Commerce's or NOAA's budget allocated to such services over the contract period.

What is the track record of Lynne Carbone & Associates Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly those of similar size and scope?

Information regarding the specific track record of Lynne Carbone & Associates Inc. in performing federal contracts of this magnitude ($255.36 million) is not directly available in the provided data snippet. A thorough assessment would require examining the company's past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), previous contract awards, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their history with the Department of Commerce or NOAA, and their experience with administrative management and general management consulting services, would be critical. Without this historical performance data, it is challenging to gauge their capability to successfully execute this significant BPA Call and deliver the expected value.

What are the potential risks associated with a $255.36 million BPA Call for consulting services, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks for a contract of this size include cost overruns (though mitigated by the Firm Fixed Price structure), scope creep, contractor underperformance, and misalignment with agency objectives. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight, clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and strong communication channels between the government and the contractor. The 'full and open competition' aspect suggests an effort to select a capable vendor, and the BPA Call mechanism might leverage pre-negotiated terms. However, the lack of detailed service descriptions and performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the specific mitigation plans in place for this particular award.

How does the 'ST' designation alongside 'sb': false impact the understanding of small business participation in this contract?

The presence of 'ST' (Small Business Type) and 'sb': false creates a contradiction or ambiguity. Typically, 'ST' would indicate a classification related to small business status, while 'sb': true would confirm it's a small business set-aside or contract awarded to a small business. The 'sb': false suggests it is *not* a small business contract. This could mean the 'ST' designation refers to something else, or there's an error in the data. If it's not a small business contract, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed here. Clarification from the awarding agency would be necessary to resolve this discrepancy and understand the true small business implications.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7910 WOODMONT AVE STE 1140, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $255,365

Exercised Options: $255,365

Current Obligation: $255,365

Actual Outlays: $254,935

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M419ANCNL0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline