DOJ's $20.4M contract for emergency support services awarded to Aveshka, Inc. amid full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,243,473 ($20.2M)

Contractor: Aveshka, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2019-03-03

End Date: 2024-07-02

Contract Duration: 1,948 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS (ESF #13) PLANNING, LOGISTICS, TRAINING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION #13

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $20.2 million to AVESHKA, INC. for work described as: EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS (ESF #13) PLANNING, LOGISTICS, TRAINING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION #13 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential planning, logistics, training, and emergency response support. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 1948 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. Services align with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' operational needs. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to management consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.4 million over approximately 5.3 years appears reasonable for comprehensive emergency support services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale emergency preparedness and response contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for controlling costs on well-defined service requirements.

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 presence of 10392 bids suggests a highly competitive environment, which typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. This level of competition is a positive signal for price discovery and achieving best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract likely resulted in a more favorable price for taxpayers compared to a sole-source or limited competition award. It ensures that taxpayer funds are utilized efficiently by selecting the most cost-effective and capable offeror.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) benefits from enhanced emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Services include critical planning, logistics, training, and direct emergency response support. The contract supports national security and public safety by ensuring readiness for various emergencies. Workforce implications include potential employment opportunities within Aveshka, Inc. and its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if emergency response needs evolve significantly beyond initial planning.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical emergency functions requires robust performance monitoring.
Ensuring consistent quality of training and response across the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating strong market interest and potential for best value.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Long contract duration suggests a stable, ongoing need and potential for contractor expertise development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. The federal government frequently procures such services to support complex operational needs, emergency preparedness, and strategic planning. The market for these services is large and competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Aveshka, Inc., may still engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division, which awarded the contract. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type and performance expectations. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) preparedness grants
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emergency response initiatives
Department of Justice (DOJ) operational support contracts
Law enforcement training and readiness programs

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds 5 years, requiring careful monitoring of sustained performance.
Firm-fixed-price contracts can disincentivize contractor innovation if not managed with clear performance expectations.
Potential for contractor performance issues if key personnel turnover occurs during the contract period.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $20.2 million to AVESHKA, INC.. EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTIONS (ESF #13) PLANNING, LOGISTICS, TRAINING AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION #13

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AVESHKA, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Acquisition and Property Management Division).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-03-03. End: 2024-07-02.

What is Aveshka, Inc.'s track record with federal emergency response contracts?

Aveshka, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those related to emergency management and support services. While this specific contract is substantial, their past performance on similar, albeit potentially smaller or different scope, contracts would be a key factor in their selection. A review of their contract history, including any past performance evaluations or awards/debarments, would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability in delivering emergency support functions. Their ability to manage complex logistics, training programs, and direct response efforts is crucial for the success of this significant award.

How does the $20.4 million value compare to similar emergency support contracts?

The $20.4 million value for Emergency Support Functions (ESF) #13 services over approximately 5.3 years (1948 days) represents a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to other contracts for similar comprehensive emergency planning, logistics, training, and response support awarded by agencies like FEMA, DHS, or other components of the DOJ. Factors such as the specific scope of services, geographic coverage, and the level of specialized expertise required would influence comparability. Without direct access to a database of comparable contract values and scopes, it's challenging to provide a precise benchmark, but the amount suggests a broad and sustained requirement.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

Key risks include the potential for unforeseen emergency events that exceed the contract's defined scope or require rapid, significant scaling of services, potentially leading to cost overruns or performance issues if not managed proactively. Another risk is the contractor's ability to maintain consistent performance quality across all service areas (planning, logistics, training, response) over the multi-year duration. Dependence on a single contractor for critical functions also poses a risk if the contractor faces financial instability or operational disruptions. Ensuring effective government oversight and clear communication channels is vital to mitigating these risks.

How effective are these types of contracts in enhancing federal emergency preparedness?

Contracts for Emergency Support Functions (ESF) like this one are crucial for enhancing federal emergency preparedness by providing specialized capabilities that government agencies may not possess internally or need to augment during crises. They ensure that essential services such as planning, logistics, and training are readily available, allowing federal entities to respond more efficiently and effectively to disasters or emergencies. The outsourcing of these functions allows the government to leverage private sector expertise and resources, potentially leading to more agile and cost-effective preparedness and response efforts. The success hinges on clear performance metrics and robust government oversight.

What is the historical spending trend for ESF #13 support services?

Historical spending on ESF #13 support services can vary significantly year-to-year, influenced by the frequency and severity of national emergencies, as well as shifts in federal preparedness strategies and budget allocations. Agencies like FEMA and components of the DOJ often procure these services through various contract vehicles. Analyzing past spending patterns would involve examining aggregate federal outlays for emergency management support, logistics, and response services across different agencies over several fiscal years. This contract represents a specific instance of such spending, and its value should be considered within the broader context of federal investments in emergency readiness.

What is the significance of the firm-fixed-price contract type for this service?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is significant because it places the primary risk of cost overruns on the contractor, Aveshka, Inc. This structure provides the government, specifically the Department of Justice, with a high degree of cost certainty. For well-defined services like planning, logistics, and training, an FFP contract incentivizes the contractor to manage their costs efficiently to maximize profit. It simplifies financial management for the government and reduces the need for extensive cost auditing compared to cost-reimbursement contracts. However, it requires a clear and comprehensive statement of work to avoid disputes.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1900 GALLOWS RD, VIENNA, VA, 22182

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,049,715

Exercised Options: $22,065,413

Current Obligation: $20,243,473

Actual Outlays: $4,000,838

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0039V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline