Interior Department awards $6.08M engineering services contract to ICF Incorporated for ONDCP DFC AND CARA support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,081,708 ($6.1M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-02-02

End Date: 2027-02-01

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ONDCP DFC AND CARA SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $6.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: ONDCP DFC AND CARA SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for engineering services, a critical component for program support. 3. The duration of the contract is 1460 days, indicating a long-term need. 4. The award type is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The firm fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 6. The contract value is approximately $6.08 million over its period of performance.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.08 million for engineering services over approximately four years appears reasonable given the scope of supporting national drug control policy initiatives. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts would provide further context, but the fixed-price nature suggests an effort to control costs. The specific services rendered will ultimately determine the true value for money.

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 bids. The fact that there were two bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and encourage innovation, leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and its associated programs (DFC and CARA) are the primary beneficiaries, receiving essential engineering support. The services delivered are critical for the effective planning, implementation, and oversight of national drug control strategies. The geographic impact is national, given the scope of ONDCP's mission. The contract supports specialized engineering expertise, potentially impacting a niche segment of the professional services workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the engineering requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The long duration of the contract necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, ICF Incorporated, likely possesses specialized expertise relevant to the ONDCP's mission.
The contract supports important national policy objectives related to drug control.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a broad category encompassing firms that provide engineering consulting and design services. The market for these services is substantial, driven by government infrastructure projects, defense needs, and specialized scientific and policy support. This specific award supports a unique government function related to national drug policy, indicating a specialized niche within the broader engineering services market.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). ICF Incorporated is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award notice, which could represent missed opportunities for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior and potentially the ONDCP. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics are not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

ONDCP Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Program
ONDCP High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) related initiatives
Department of Justice grants and programs

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues given the long contract duration.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting goals may limit participation.
Scope definition critical for FFP contract success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $6.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. ONDCP DFC AND CARA SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-02. End: 2027-02-01.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with federal contracts, particularly in engineering and policy support?

ICF Incorporated is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of serving federal agencies across various sectors, including health, environment, and defense. Their expertise often lies in providing technical, management, and policy consulting services. While specific details on past performance for this exact ONDCP DFC AND CARA support are not provided in this summary, ICF's broader federal contracting history suggests they possess the necessary capabilities. A deeper dive into their contract performance ratings and past projects would offer more insight into their reliability and effectiveness in similar roles.

How does the $6.08 million contract value compare to similar engineering support contracts for national policy initiatives?

Benchmarking this $6.08 million contract requires comparing it to similar engineering and technical support contracts awarded to manage complex national policy initiatives. Contracts supporting agencies like the EPA, HHS, or other components of the Executive Office of the President that require specialized analysis and engineering input can range widely in value. Given the duration of nearly four years, the per-year cost averages around $1.5 million. This figure appears moderate for specialized federal support, but its true value depends heavily on the specific deliverables, the complexity of the engineering challenges, and the criticality of the ONDCP's mission it supports. Without direct comparable data, it's difficult to definitively assess if it represents superior or inferior value.

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

Key risks include potential scope creep, where the requirements may expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is contractor performance; if ICF fails to deliver the expected engineering expertise, the effectiveness of ONDCP programs could be compromised. Mitigation strategies include robust contract management by the Department of the Interior, clear definition of deliverables, regular performance reviews, and the firm fixed-price structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs. The long-term nature also requires sustained oversight to ensure ongoing alignment with ONDCP objectives.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific engineering service?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in controlling costs for well-defined services, as it shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. For engineering services where the scope of work can be clearly delineated, FFP provides budget certainty for the government. This means taxpayers are protected from unexpected increases in the contractor's labor or material costs. However, if the scope is inherently uncertain or prone to change, an FFP contract could potentially lead to the contractor cutting corners on quality to maintain profitability, or conversely, lead to costly change orders if the scope must be adjusted. For this contract, the effectiveness hinges on how precisely the engineering requirements for ONDCP support were defined upfront.

What is the historical spending pattern for engineering services supporting the ONDCP or similar drug control policy efforts?

Historical spending data for engineering services specifically tied to the ONDCP's core policy functions is not readily available in summary form. The ONDCP primarily utilizes grants, interagency agreements, and direct program funding for its operations and initiatives. Engineering services, as indicated by this contract, likely support specific programmatic needs, research, or infrastructure related to drug control efforts rather than core policy development itself. Analyzing broader spending trends within the Department of the Interior or other agencies involved in drug interdiction and policy implementation might reveal patterns, but a direct historical comparison for this niche service is challenging without more granular data.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLAZA, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,336,861

Exercised Options: $6,081,708

Current Obligation: $6,081,708

Actual Outlays: $4,291,102

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $315,709

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU119

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline