Commerce Dept Awards $2.09M Contract to AKIAK TECHNOLOGY for Management Consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,090,219 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Akiak Technology, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-09-14

End Date: 2026-09-13

Contract Duration: 729 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: EA/OTE RU/ET ANALYSIS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22304

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $2.1 million to AKIAK TECHNOLOGY, LLC for work described as: EA/OTE RU/ET ANALYSIS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. AKIAK TECHNOLOGY, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a firm fixed price and a duration of 729 days. 4. This award falls under the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.09 million for a 729-day period appears reasonable for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management consulting is difficult without more specific service details, but the price per day is within a typical range for expert consulting.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and competition, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these consulting services.

Public Impact

Citizens may question the justification for a sole-source award without a competitive process. The specific services provided under this contract will impact the efficiency of the Department of Commerce's Office of the Secretary. Transparency regarding the necessity and performance of these consulting services is crucial for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery.
Lack of transparency on justification for sole-source award.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competition.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract duration is clearly defined.

Sector Analysis

The Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector involves a wide range of expertise. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on agency needs, with benchmarks often dependent on the specific scope of work and required skill sets.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, AKIAK TECHNOLOGY, LLC, is not indicated as a small business. The contract was not competed under SAP, which often includes provisions for small business set-asides, suggesting no specific small business participation was mandated or achieved in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is needed to ensure the justification for the sole-source award is robust and that the services provided are necessary and effectively delivered. Accountability for the contract's performance and value for taxpayer money rests with the Department of Commerce.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Commerce Contracting
Office of the Secretary Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive bidding.
Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency on the justification for sole-source award.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $2.1 million to AKIAK TECHNOLOGY, LLC. EA/OTE RU/ET ANALYSIS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AKIAK TECHNOLOGY, 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 $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-14. End: 2026-09-13.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and how does it align with federal procurement regulations for non-competitive awards?

The provided data does not include the specific justification for the sole-source award. Federal regulations (like FAR Part 6) allow for sole-source contracts under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services. A thorough review of the agency's justification documentation would be necessary to assess its validity and compliance.

How will the effectiveness and value of the consulting services be measured to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently, especially given the lack of competition?

Effectiveness and value measurement should be tied to clearly defined performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract statement of work. The Department of Commerce should establish a robust performance monitoring system, conduct regular reviews, and ensure that the services directly contribute to the agency's objectives. Independent verification of outcomes would further enhance accountability.

Are there any planned future procurements related to these services, and will they be competed to ensure broader market participation and potentially better pricing?

The data does not indicate any future procurement plans. However, for future needs in this service area, it would be prudent for the Department of Commerce to explore competitive contracting methods. This would allow for a wider range of vendors to propose solutions, fostering innovation and ensuring the government obtains the best possible value for its investment.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: BIS EA SUPPORT RFQ

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4850 EISENHOWER AVE UNIT 419, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22304

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,149,167

Exercised Options: $3,426,617

Current Obligation: $2,090,219

Actual Outlays: $1,962,884

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline