Commerce Department awards $3.76M for research support, with administrative management consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,759,066 ($3.8M)

Contractor: Ascendant Program Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2021-03-01

End Date: 2024-03-02

Contract Duration: 1,097 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20230

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $3.8 million to ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC for work described as: RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.76M over 3 years for administrative management and general management consulting. 2. Awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. Services are categorized under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 5. The contract duration is 1097 days, spanning from March 2021 to March 2024. 6. The contractor, ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC, is the sole awardee under this specific call.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.76M for administrative management and general management consulting services over three years appears to be within a reasonable range for such support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting services at the federal level would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract helps in cost predictability, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment challenging without further context on deliverables and outcomes.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition via a BPA Call. While the initial BPA likely underwent full and open competition, the specific call-off mechanism implies that the competition for this particular award might have been limited to pre-qualified vendors on the BPA. The number of bidders for the specific call is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a broad initial competition for the overarching BPA.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition for the underlying BPA generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality over time.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce benefits from administrative and management consulting services to support its operations. These services likely contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of various administrative functions within the agency. The contract's geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the Department of Commerce is headquartered. The contract supports professional services roles, potentially impacting the administrative and management consulting workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance and value delivered.
The 'BPA Call' mechanism, while efficient, may limit the scope of competition for individual task orders compared to a standalone solicitation.
Without detailed deliverables, it's hard to ascertain if the full potential of the contract value has been realized.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a full and open competition framework, suggesting a competitive initial process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC, is established to provide these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is a significant part of the professional services industry supporting government agencies. This contract falls within the broader category of management consulting, which encompasses a wide range of advisory and support services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, with agencies frequently procuring these services to augment internal capabilities, manage complex projects, and implement strategic initiatives. Benchmarks for similar contracts vary widely based on scope, duration, and specific expertise required.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. The award was made to ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses under this BPA Call, or if the prime contractor has a history of engaging small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of Commerce's Office of the Secretary, which awarded the contract. As a BPA Call, the underlying BPA likely has its own oversight mechanisms. Accountability is managed through the firm fixed-price contract terms and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available, though detailed performance reports may not be public.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Professional Services Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Contract awarded via BPA Call - requires review of underlying BPA competition.
Specific performance metrics and deliverables not detailed in summary data.
Sole awardee for this specific BPA Call, limiting direct competition at the task order level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $3.8 million to ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC. RESEARCH SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-03-01. End: 2024-03-02.

What specific administrative and management consulting services were delivered under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS code 541611). However, the specific deliverables, tasks, and scope of work are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, such services can include strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, program management support, and general administrative support. Without access to the contract's statement of work (SOW) or task orders, a precise list of services rendered cannot be determined. The value of $3.76 million over approximately three years suggests a consistent level of support was provided throughout the contract period.

How does the $3.76 million contract value compare to similar administrative management consulting contracts within the Department of Commerce or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $3.76 million contract value requires comparing it against similar contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) awarded by the Department of Commerce or other federal agencies over a comparable timeframe (approximately three years). Federal spending on management consulting is substantial, and contract values can range significantly based on the complexity of the services, the duration, and the specific agency's needs. A contract of this size is moderate for a federal agency's consulting needs. Without access to a comprehensive database of federal contract spending with detailed service descriptions, a precise comparison is difficult. However, it does not appear to be an exceptionally large or small award in the context of federal professional services.

What is the track record of ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC in delivering administrative management consulting services to the federal government?

ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC was awarded this $3.76 million contract for administrative management and general management consulting services by the Department of Commerce. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their contract history across all federal agencies. This includes looking at the number of contracts awarded, their values, the types of services performed, contract performance ratings (if available), and any past performance issues or awards. The fact that they were awarded this contract, especially under a full and open competition framework for the underlying BPA, suggests they met the qualifications required. However, a comprehensive understanding of their track record necessitates a broader review of their federal contracting history beyond this single award.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks for this contract include scope creep, contractor underperformance, and the possibility that the services provided may not fully meet the Department of Commerce's evolving needs. Since it's a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract, the primary risk of cost overrun is borne by the contractor, ASCENDANT PROGRAM SERVICES, LLC. Mitigation strategies typically involve clear definition of services in the Statement of Work (SOW), robust contract oversight by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), regular performance reviews, and adherence to the BPA call procedures. The use of a BPA implies that the vendor has already been vetted, potentially reducing some initial risks. However, ongoing monitoring of performance and deliverables remains crucial.

How does the use of a BPA Call impact competition and pricing for this specific contract?

A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is a simplified way to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. A BPA Call is an order placed against an existing BPA. While the original BPA is typically established through full and open competition, individual calls or task orders placed against it may have varying levels of competition. If the BPA allows for multiple vendors to compete on each call, it maintains a competitive environment. However, if the BPA is structured such that only one vendor is solicited for specific calls, or if the competition is limited to a pre-selected group of BPA holders, it can reduce the level of direct competition for that specific order. The data states 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' for this award, which likely refers to the initial BPA establishment. The specific competition for this call is not detailed, but BPA calls are generally intended to streamline procurement, which can sometimes lead to less direct price competition compared to a standalone solicitation.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 WISCONSIN CIR STE 700, CHEVY CHASE, MD, 20815

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, 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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,322,744

Exercised Options: $3,759,066

Current Obligation: $3,759,066

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L520A13500029

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline