Interior Department awards $4.4M contract for staffing support to Aalis Management Consulting LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,403,770 ($4.4M)

Contractor: Aalis Management Consulting LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-05-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EOP USTR STAFFING SUPPORT: LEGAL, BUSINESS, DATA ANALYSTS AND TARIFF EXPERT

Place of Performance

Location: WOODBRIDGE, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22193

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.4 million to AALIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LLC for work described as: EOP USTR STAFFING SUPPORT: LEGAL, BUSINESS, DATA ANALYSTS AND TARIFF EXPERT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized expertise in legal, business, data analysis, and tariff matters. 2. Aalis Management Consulting LLC, a small business, will provide support services. 3. The contract duration is 729 days, indicating a medium-term need for these services. 4. Services are categorized under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which sets a clear cost expectation. 6. This award represents a specific investment in enhancing departmental operational capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.4 million over two years for specialized consulting services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative and management consulting at the federal level suggests this is within an expected range for the expertise required. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the Department of the Interior. Without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the award to a small business may also reflect strategic sourcing goals.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. While the specific justification for the sole-source award is not detailed in the provided data, such awards are typically made when only one vendor can meet the unique requirements of the government. This limits the opportunity for broader market engagement and potentially higher prices due to lack of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can mean taxpayers may not benefit from the competitive pricing that could arise from an open bidding process. However, if the specialized nature of the services truly necessitates a single provider, the cost may be justified by the unique capabilities brought to bear.

Public Impact

The Department of the Interior benefits from enhanced staffing and expertise in critical areas. Services include legal, business, data analysis, and tariff expertise, supporting departmental operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of the Interior's operational footprint. Workforce implications include augmentation of existing staff with specialized external knowledge.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition due to sole-source award limits price discovery and potential savings.
Specific performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed, making outcome assessment difficult.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Award to a small business (Aalis Management Consulting LLC) supports federal small business contracting goals.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability for the government.
Contract duration of two years suggests a stable, ongoing need for these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of professional services provided to government agencies and private sector clients. The market for these services is competitive, with many firms offering expertise in areas like strategic planning, operational efficiency, and specialized analytical support. The Department of the Interior's need for legal, business, data analysis, and tariff experts highlights a specific niche within this broader sector.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Aalis Management Consulting LLC, identified as a small business. This award aligns with federal objectives to support small business participation in government contracting. As a sole-source award to a small business, it suggests that this particular small business possesses unique capabilities or that the agency has specific goals for contracting with small entities. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities for other small businesses are included or encouraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the specific performance metrics would enhance accountability. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Management Consulting Services
Legal and Data Analysis Support Contracts
Tariff and Trade Policy Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Limited transparency on justification for sole-source.
Performance metrics not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.4 million to AALIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LLC. EOP USTR STAFFING SUPPORT: LEGAL, BUSINESS, DATA ANALYSTS AND TARIFF EXPERT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AALIS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Aalis Management Consulting LLC?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services, or when the agency has a unique requirement that cannot be met by multiple sources. Without further details from the Department of the Interior's justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), the precise reason remains unknown. This could be due to highly specialized expertise in legal, business, data analysis, and tariff matters that Aalis Management Consulting LLC uniquely possesses, or perhaps a critical, urgent need that precluded a competitive process. Understanding this justification is key to assessing whether the lack of competition was truly warranted and if taxpayers received fair value.

How does the $4.4 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for administrative and management consulting services?

The $4.4 million contract value over approximately two years for specialized staffing support is within a plausible range for federal consulting services. The NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) covers a wide array of services. Contracts of this magnitude are common for providing expert support in niche areas. However, a direct comparison is difficult without knowing the exact scope of work, deliverables, and the specific skill sets required (legal, data analysis, tariff expertise). Generally, specialized expertise commands higher rates. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the value-for-money assessment hinges on the quality and impact of the services delivered relative to the cost.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract of this nature on a sole-source basis?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competition, which can lead to higher prices than might be achieved in an open market. Taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that competitive bidding often generates. Additionally, without the vetting process of a competitive solicitation, there's a potential risk regarding the contractor's overall capability and performance, although agencies are still required to vet sole-source awardees. If Aalis Management Consulting LLC underperforms, the Department of the Interior may face challenges in finding alternative solutions quickly due to the specialized nature of the services and the prior commitment. This could also create a dependency on a single vendor.

What is the track record of Aalis Management Consulting LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding Aalis Management Consulting LLC's specific track record on federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. As a small business, its history may be less extensive than larger, more established firms. To assess their capability, one would typically look at past performance evaluations, contract completion history, and any awards or penalties received on previous government engagements. Given this is a sole-source award, the Department of the Interior presumably has some basis for confidence in the contractor's ability to perform, possibly based on prior experience or unique qualifications. A deeper dive into federal contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary for a comprehensive review of their performance history.

How does this contract align with the Department of the Interior's overall spending patterns for consulting services?

This $4.4 million contract for specialized staffing support represents a specific allocation within the Department of the Interior's broader budget for professional services. Federal agencies frequently utilize consulting contracts to augment their workforce with specialized skills, address temporary surges in workload, or gain external expertise. Without historical data on the Department's spending on similar services (legal, data analysis, tariff expertise), it's difficult to definitively state alignment. However, the award suggests a recognized need for these particular skills to support departmental functions. Analyzing past spending trends in NAICS code 541611 and related categories would provide context on whether this contract is typical or an outlier in terms of scale and purpose.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140D0424Q0487

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2700 NEABSCO COMMON PL STE 101, WOODBRIDGE, VA, 22193

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, 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, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,403,770

Exercised Options: $4,403,770

Current Obligation: $4,403,770

Actual Outlays: $3,835,805

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline