Commerce Department awards $456K BPA task order to Thomas & Reed LLC for administrative management consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $456,022 ($456.0K)

Contractor: Thomas & Reed LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2024-09-25

End Date: 2025-09-24

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA TASK ORDER FOR SUPPORT.

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 $456,022.18 to THOMAS & REED LLC for work described as: BPA TASK ORDER FOR SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) task order, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. The contract is for administrative management and general management consulting services, a common professional service category. 3. The award value of $456,022.18 is modest for federal contracts, suggesting a focused scope of work. 4. The contract duration of 364 days points to a short-term project or service need. 5. The firm fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable costs for the government. 6. The awardee, Thomas & Reed LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting based on this single award. 7. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), implying a streamlined procurement process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $456,000 for a one-year period for administrative management consulting is within a typical range for task orders under a BPA. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar consulting engagements would require more detailed information on the scope of services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally allows for broad competition among eligible vendors. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP aims to ensure fair opportunity. The use of SAP suggests that the acquisition was likely posted on a public forum, allowing multiple vendors to respond. This competitive process, even under SAP, should contribute to price discovery and potentially better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the procurement under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a market-driven price for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The Department of Commerce benefits from expert administrative management and general management consulting services. The services delivered are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Office of the Secretary. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Department of Commerce is headquartered. The contract supports professional services roles, potentially impacting administrative and management staff within the agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited track record for the awardee, Thomas & Reed LLC, making it difficult to assess past performance and reliability.
The specific scope of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' is broad and requires further definition to fully understand the value delivered.
Reliance on a single task order award for a new contractor raises questions about scalability and long-term support capabilities.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating an effort to achieve fair pricing and vendor selection.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost control and predictability for the government.
The award falls under a BPA, suggesting that the initial selection of vendors for the BPA involved a competitive process.

Sector Analysis

The federal sector for administrative management and general management consulting services is substantial, encompassing a wide range of support functions across all agencies. This contract fits within the broader professional services market, where agencies procure expertise to enhance operational efficiency, strategic planning, and organizational development. Comparable spending benchmarks for such services vary widely based on scope, duration, and contractor expertise, but this award represents a typical task order size for specialized consulting needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The awardee, Thomas & Reed LLC, is a single-award entity, and its small business status is not specified. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this contract contributes to the broader small business contracting ecosystem through subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Commerce's Office of the Secretary. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by defining the total cost. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance reports are not always publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Professional Services
Management and Consulting Services
Department of Commerce Administrative Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Contractor Performance History
Broad Service Category Scope

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $456,022.18 to THOMAS & REED LLC. BPA TASK ORDER FOR SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THOMAS & REED 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 $456,022.18.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-25. End: 2025-09-24.

What is the specific scope of work for Thomas & Reed LLC under this BPA task order?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS code 541611) awarded to Thomas & Reed LLC under a BPA task order. However, the specific deliverables, objectives, and detailed tasks are not included in the summary data. Typically, such services could encompass areas like organizational efficiency improvements, strategic planning support, process optimization, policy development assistance, or management advisory services. A comprehensive understanding of the value and performance would necessitate reviewing the task order's statement of work (SOW).

How does the $456,022.18 award value compare to similar administrative consulting contracts within the Department of Commerce?

The award value of $456,022.18 for a one-year firm fixed-price contract for administrative management consulting is a moderate amount for a federal task order. The Department of Commerce, like many large federal agencies, procures a wide range of consulting services. Smaller, focused task orders like this are common for specific projects or short-term needs. Larger, multi-year engagements or broader strategic consulting initiatives would typically involve significantly higher dollar values. Without knowing the specific scope and complexity of the services required, a precise comparison is difficult, but this award appears to be for a well-defined, limited-duration consulting engagement.

What is the assessed risk associated with awarding a contract to a vendor with a limited federal contracting history?

Awarding a contract to a vendor with a limited federal contracting history, such as Thomas & Reed LLC based on this single award, generally presents a moderate level of risk. Key risks include potential inexperience with federal procurement regulations, slower onboarding processes, and unproven performance under government contracts. However, the use of a BPA framework and Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) can mitigate some of these risks, as the initial BPA competition likely vetted vendors to some extent. The firm fixed-price contract type also helps manage financial risk. Close monitoring by the COR and clear performance expectations are crucial for mitigating risks associated with new contractors.

What are the potential implications of this contract on the agency's operational effectiveness?

The potential implications of this contract on the Department of Commerce's operational effectiveness depend entirely on the specific consulting services rendered and their successful implementation. If Thomas & Reed LLC provides valuable insights and actionable recommendations for improving administrative processes, strategic planning, or management practices within the Office of the Secretary, the impact could be positive, leading to increased efficiency, better resource allocation, or enhanced policy outcomes. Conversely, if the consulting is poorly executed or the recommendations are not practical, the impact could be negligible or even negative due to the expenditure of funds without commensurate benefit.

How has federal spending on administrative management and general management consulting services trended in recent years?

Federal spending on administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) has historically been substantial and has generally trended upwards over the past decade, reflecting agencies' needs for external expertise to navigate complex challenges, implement reforms, and improve efficiency. Factors driving this trend include evolving government mandates, technological advancements requiring new management approaches, and a desire for specialized skills not always available in-house. While specific year-over-year fluctuations occur, the overall demand for these services remains robust across various federal departments and agencies, indicating a consistent reliance on external consultants for strategic and operational support.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 148 E MARKET ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46204

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $456,022

Exercised Options: $456,022

Current Obligation: $456,022

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1331L520A13500013

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline