DOI awards $3.97M IDIQ for African Affairs monitoring, with 6 bidders competing

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,973,552 ($4.0M)

Contractor: Guidehouse Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-28

End Date: 2025-09-27

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PMELS IDIQ MONITORING AND EVALUATION SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU AFRICAN AFFAIRS OFFICE OF REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.0 million to GUIDEHOUSE INC. for work described as: PMELS IDIQ MONITORING AND EVALUATION SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU AFRICAN AFFAIRS OFFICE OF REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the competitive nature of the award. 2. Strong competition dynamics suggest fair pricing was achieved. 3. No immediate risk indicators are apparent from the contract details. 4. Performance context is set by the need for monitoring and evaluation in a complex region. 5. This contract fits within the broader administrative and management consulting sector. 6. The award is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $3.97 million for a two-year period seems aligned with typical consulting services for government agencies. Benchmarking against similar monitoring and evaluation contracts for international affairs would provide a more precise assessment, but the presence of six bidders suggests a competitive environment that likely drove a fair price. The firm-fixed-price structure also provides cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, with six bids received. This level of competition is generally considered healthy and indicates that multiple capable vendors were interested and able to bid. The wide participation suggests that the solicitation was accessible and that the government received a range of proposals, allowing for selection of the best value.

Taxpayer Impact: A robust competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovation from offerors.

Public Impact

The Bureau of African Affairs benefits from enhanced oversight and evaluation of its regional peace and security programs. Services delivered include monitoring and evaluation, crucial for program effectiveness and accountability. The geographic impact is focused on the African continent, supporting U.S. foreign policy objectives. Workforce implications are primarily for the contractor, Guidehouse Inc., and potentially for program staff who will utilize the evaluation findings.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition with multiple bidders.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
Contract supports critical foreign policy objectives in Africa.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Management and Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and general management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of service providers, from large, established firms to smaller niche consultancies. Government spending in this area is substantial, supporting various functions from strategic planning to program evaluation. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other IDIQ contracts for similar evaluation services across different federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this delivery order, nor is the prime contractor identified as a small business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist and how they might impact the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior's Bureau of African Affairs. Accountability is driven by the firm-fixed-price terms and the delivery order requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

USAID Monitoring and Evaluation Contracts
Department of State Bureau of African Affairs Programs
Department of Defense Security Cooperation Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for logistical challenges in data collection across diverse African regions.
Risk of political instability impacting program implementation and evaluation.
Need for cultural sensitivity and local context understanding in evaluations.
Ensuring objectivity and avoiding bias in performance assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.0 million to GUIDEHOUSE INC.. PMELS IDIQ MONITORING AND EVALUATION SERVICES FOR THE BUREAU AFRICAN AFFAIRS OFFICE OF REGIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GUIDEHOUSE INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-28. End: 2025-09-27.

What is Guidehouse Inc.'s track record with federal monitoring and evaluation contracts?

Guidehouse Inc. has a significant track record with federal agencies, including extensive work in management consulting, program evaluation, and technical assistance. They have been awarded numerous contracts across various departments, often focusing on complex policy areas and large-scale program support. Their experience spans areas like public health, defense, energy, and international development. Specific to monitoring and evaluation, Guidehouse often leverages data analytics and performance management frameworks to assess program effectiveness and provide actionable insights. A review of their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving international affairs or regional analysis, would be beneficial to fully assess their suitability for this specific task.

How does the $3.97 million award compare to similar monitoring and evaluation contracts?

The $3.97 million award for a two-year period for monitoring and evaluation services for the Bureau of African Affairs appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized government consulting. Contracts of this nature often involve in-depth analysis, data collection, and reporting, requiring skilled personnel. For context, similar contracts awarded by agencies like USAID or the Department of State for program evaluation in complex regions can range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and geographic focus. The competitive nature of this award, with six bidders, suggests that the pricing achieved was likely market-competitive. A more precise comparison would require access to detailed scopes of work and pricing structures of comparable contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are related to the inherent complexities of monitoring and evaluating programs in the African region. These include potential political instability, logistical challenges in data collection, cultural nuances affecting program implementation, and the difficulty in attributing direct impact to specific interventions. Furthermore, there's a risk of scope creep if the evaluation requirements are not clearly defined and managed. Contractor performance risk also exists, though mitigated by the competitive award process and firm-fixed-price structure. Ensuring the quality and objectivity of the evaluation findings will be critical to mitigating risks related to data integrity and actionable recommendations.

How effective are monitoring and evaluation services in improving program outcomes for the Bureau of African Affairs?

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) services are critical tools for improving program outcomes by providing data-driven insights into program performance, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring accountability. For the Bureau of African Affairs, effective M&E can help determine which peace and security initiatives are most impactful, where resources are being used efficiently, and what adjustments are needed to achieve strategic objectives. By systematically tracking progress and assessing results, M&E helps to refine strategies, enhance program design, and demonstrate the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy efforts to stakeholders. The insights gained can lead to better resource allocation, more targeted interventions, and ultimately, more successful peace and security outcomes in the region.

What is the historical spending trend for monitoring and evaluation services within the Department of the Interior's Bureau of African Affairs?

Historical spending trends for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) services within the Department of the Interior's Bureau of African Affairs (AF) are not readily available in the public domain through aggregated reports. However, it is understood that agencies involved in foreign affairs and international development, such as AF, consistently allocate funds for M&E to ensure program effectiveness and accountability. Spending in this area typically fluctuates based on the number and scale of programs being implemented, as well as specific congressional or agency mandates for evaluation. This $3.97 million award represents a specific investment in M&E for regional peace and security, suggesting a continued commitment to data-informed decision-making within the Bureau.

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

Solicitation ID: 140D0423R0103

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C.

Address: 1676 INTERNATIONAL DR STE 800, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,973,552

Exercised Options: $3,973,552

Current Obligation: $3,973,552

Actual Outlays: $3,973,552

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0423D0046

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline