State Department awards $323K contract for Syria governance project evaluation to Navanti Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $322,960 ($323.0K)

Contractor: Navanti Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-24

End Date: 2025-12-31

Contract Duration: 463 days

Daily Burn Rate: $698/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF ASSISTANCE COORDINATION (NEA/AC) SEEKS TO ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A CONTRACTOR TO EVALUATE AND REPORT ON ITS LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROJECT IN SYRIA.

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $322,960 to NAVANTI GROUP LLC for work described as: THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF ASSISTANCE COORDINATION (NEA/AC) SEEKS TO ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A CONTRACTOR TO EVALUATE AND REPORT ON ITS LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROJECT IN SYRIA. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on evaluating local governance and essential services in Syria. 2. Navanti Group LLC, a management consulting firm, will perform the evaluation. 3. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 4. The period of performance spans over a year, indicating a need for sustained analysis. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, suggesting defined scope and cost certainty. 6. The administrative management and general management consulting services NAICS code indicates a focus on strategic and operational advice.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $322,960 for a 16-month period appears reasonable for specialized consulting services related to complex geopolitical environments. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program evaluation in conflict zones would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The fixed-price nature suggests the government has a defined budget and expects specific deliverables within that cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which suggests that while a broad competition was initially intended, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. The presence of 4 bidders indicates some level of competition, but the exclusion of sources may limit the full spectrum of market capabilities and potentially impact price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, even after an initial open process, may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the most competitive pricing achievable if more sources had been allowed to bid.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA/AC), which will receive critical insights into the effectiveness of its Syria programs. The services delivered will include evaluation and reporting on the 'Local Governance and Essential Services Project' in Syria. The geographic impact is focused on Syria, specifically areas where the project is implemented. There are no direct workforce implications mentioned for the public sector, but the contractor will utilize its own personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have restricted the range of innovative solutions and potentially led to higher costs for taxpayers.
The complexity of evaluating programs in a conflict zone like Syria presents inherent risks to data accuracy and project completion.
The exclusion of sources, even if justified, warrants scrutiny to ensure fairness and maximize competition.

Positive Signals

The contract is a delivery order under an IDIQ, suggesting a pre-vetted contractor pool and streamlined acquisition process.
The Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The evaluation of essential services and local governance is critical for effective foreign assistance and policy development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Management and Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and general management consulting. This sector is vital for government agencies seeking expertise in program evaluation, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized capabilities. The value of this contract is relatively small within the broader federal consulting market, but its specialized focus on a challenging region makes it significant.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a delivery order under a potentially larger IDIQ, subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in this award notice. The primary contractor, Navanti Group LLC, is not identified as a small business in this context.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA/AC), the contracting agency. Accountability will be ensured through the delivery of specific reports and evaluations as outlined in the contract's statement of work. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance metrics may be internal.

Related Government Programs

Syria Regional Assistance Programs
Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) Operations
Foreign Assistance Evaluation Contracts
Governance and Rule of Law Programs

Risk Flags

Geopolitical instability in Syria
Limited access to project sites
Potential for data integrity issues
Security risks for contractor personnel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $322,960 to NAVANTI GROUP LLC. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, BUREAU OF NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF ASSISTANCE COORDINATION (NEA/AC) SEEKS TO ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF A CONTRACTOR TO EVALUATE AND REPORT ON ITS LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES PROJECT IN SYRIA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NAVANTI GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $322,960.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-24. End: 2025-12-31.

What is Navanti Group LLC's track record with the Department of State or similar agencies in complex environments?

Navanti Group LLC has a history of working with government agencies, including the Department of State, on projects related to international development, stabilization, and program evaluation. Their expertise often lies in navigating complex political and security environments. Specific details on past performance metrics, client satisfaction, and the scale of previous engagements would require a deeper dive into contract databases and performance reports. However, their selection for this role suggests they possess relevant experience and capabilities deemed sufficient by the Department of State for evaluating programs in Syria.

How does the $322,960 contract value compare to similar program evaluations in conflict zones?

Benchmarking this contract's value requires comparing it to similar evaluations of governance and essential services projects in conflict or post-conflict zones. Contracts of this nature often involve significant logistical challenges, security considerations, and the need for specialized expertise in political analysis, sociology, and development economics. A value of approximately $323,000 for a 16-month engagement (delivery order duration) appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized consulting. However, without access to specific comparable contract data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. Factors like the scope of work, the number of sites evaluated, and the depth of analysis required would influence the final cost.

What are the primary risks associated with evaluating a project in Syria, and how are they mitigated?

Evaluating a project in Syria presents significant risks, including security threats to personnel, access limitations to project sites, potential for biased information gathering due to the political climate, and challenges in verifying data. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust security protocols for personnel, reliance on local partners or trusted sources for information, employing rigorous data triangulation methods, and ensuring the evaluation team has deep contextual understanding. The contract's focus on reporting and evaluation, rather than direct implementation, may slightly reduce on-the-ground risks for the evaluators, but the inherent complexities of the operating environment remain substantial.

What is the expected impact of this evaluation on the effectiveness of the State Department's 'Local Governance and Essential Services Project'?

The expected impact of this evaluation is to provide the Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA/AC) with actionable insights into the strengths, weaknesses, and overall effectiveness of its 'Local Governance and Essential Services Project' in Syria. The findings will likely inform future programming decisions, resource allocation, and strategic adjustments to enhance the project's impact and sustainability. By identifying what works, what doesn't, and why, the evaluation aims to improve the efficiency and efficacy of U.S. foreign assistance in a critical region, ultimately contributing to U.S. foreign policy objectives.

What has been the historical spending trend for similar program evaluation services by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar program evaluation services by the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA/AC) would reveal patterns in their investment in oversight and assessment capabilities. This specific contract, valued at $322,960, is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a broader contracting strategy, possibly utilizing an IDIQ vehicle. To understand trends, one would need to examine NEA/AC's spending on evaluation contracts over the past several fiscal years, looking at the average contract values, the types of services procured (e.g., technical, programmatic, financial), and the frequency of such awards. This context helps determine if current spending aligns with past practices or represents a shift in focus or 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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0424Q0628

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2451 CRYSTAL DR STE 108, ARLINGTON, VA, 22202

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $336,830

Exercised Options: $336,830

Current Obligation: $322,960

Actual Outlays: $231,215

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0423D0026

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline