DOJ awards $1.5M for Tribal Conference & Logistics Support to Chickasaw Alliance Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,532,550 ($1.5M)

Contractor: Chickasaw Alliance Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2025-05-14

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 351 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ANNUAL TRIBAL CONFERENCE & LOGISTICS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: NORMAN, CLEVELAND County, OKLAHOMA, 73071

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $1.5 million to CHICKASAW ALLIANCE GROUP, LLC for work described as: ANNUAL TRIBAL CONFERENCE & LOGISTICS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. The contract duration of 351 days suggests a focused, short-term need for services. 3. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure can pose budget risks if not closely managed. 4. Services are categorized under 'Convention and Trade Show Organizers,' indicating event-related support. 5. The award is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract. 6. Geographic focus on Oklahoma for services. 7. No small business set-aside was applied to this award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $1.53 million for a 351-day period for tribal conference and logistics support appears within a reasonable range for specialized event services. However, without specific details on the scope of services, direct comparisons to similar contracts are difficult. The 'Time and Materials' pricing model introduces uncertainty in the final cost, making a definitive value-for-money assessment challenging without robust oversight and detailed reporting from the contractor.

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. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances necessitate a rapid award. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a range of proposals and potentially lower pricing that could have resulted from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to leverage market competition to secure the best possible pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Benefits tribal communities by supporting the annual conference and associated logistics. Delivers essential support services for the organization and execution of a significant tribal event. Geographic impact is primarily focused on Oklahoma, where the contractor is based and services are likely rendered. Workforce implications are likely to involve specialized event management and logistical personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Limited transparency on specific deliverables and performance metrics due to sole-source nature.
Risk of contractor not meeting specialized logistical needs without competitive pressure.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific Native American-owned business (Chickasaw Alliance Group, LLC) may align with tribal engagement goals.
Contract duration is defined, suggesting a clear project timeline.
Services are essential for the successful execution of a key annual event.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically related to event and convention organization. The market for such services is diverse, ranging from large event management firms to specialized logistical support providers. While specific benchmarks for tribal conference support are not readily available, general event management costs can vary significantly based on scale, complexity, and location. This award represents a small portion of the overall federal spending on professional services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The award is to Chickasaw Alliance Group, LLC, which may be a small business itself, but the data does not confirm this or indicate any specific impact on the broader small business ecosystem through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Justice contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details should be publicly available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Federal Indian Law
Tribal Government Support
Event Management Services
Logistics and Transportation Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Time and Materials pricing structure poses budget risk.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $1.5 million to CHICKASAW ALLIANCE GROUP, LLC. ANNUAL TRIBAL CONFERENCE & LOGISTICS SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHICKASAW ALLIANCE GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-05-14. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific scope of 'Tribal Conference & Logistics Support' covered under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'ANNUAL TRIBAL CONFERENCE & LOGISTICS SUPPORT' and falls under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561920, 'Convention and Trade Show Organizers.' This suggests the services likely encompass planning, coordination, venue management, travel arrangements, accommodation, on-site support, and potentially audiovisual or technical assistance for an annual tribal conference. The 'Time and Materials' (T&M) pricing structure implies that the contractor will be reimbursed for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials used, plus a percentage for overhead and profit. A detailed statement of work (SOW) within the contract documents would further delineate the precise tasks, deliverables, and performance standards expected from Chickasaw Alliance Group, LLC.

How does the 'Time and Materials' pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to change. For event and logistics support, T&M can offer flexibility, allowing for adjustments based on evolving needs. However, it carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts, as the final cost is directly tied to the hours worked and materials consumed. Other contract types, such as Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), provide greater cost certainty for the government but require a well-defined scope. Hybrid contracts might also be used, combining fixed-price elements for known services with T&M for uncertain components. The suitability of T&M depends heavily on the government's ability to closely monitor contractor effort and control scope creep.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of service?

A sole-source award, like the one to Chickasaw Alliance Group, LLC, bypasses the competitive bidding process. This can lead to several risks. Firstly, the government may not achieve the most favorable pricing, as there is no market pressure to drive down costs. Secondly, without competition, there's a reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or provide exceptional service beyond the minimum requirements. Thirdly, it limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or contractors with potentially better capabilities or more efficient service delivery models. Finally, it can raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process, even if legally justified.

What is the track record of Chickasaw Alliance Group, LLC in providing similar conference and logistics support?

Information regarding the specific track record of Chickasaw Alliance Group, LLC in providing 'Annual Tribal Conference & Logistics Support' is not detailed in the provided data. As the award was sole-source, the Department of Justice likely conducted a pre-award survey or relied on existing knowledge of the contractor's capabilities. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, other contracts awarded to the company for similar services, and potentially client references. Without this information, it's difficult to definitively gauge their experience and past success in managing complex events and logistics.

How does this $1.53 million award compare to historical federal spending on tribal engagement or conference support?

The provided data does not include historical federal spending figures for tribal engagement or conference support, making a direct comparison difficult. However, $1.53 million is a significant sum for a single contract of this nature, suggesting it supports a substantial event. Federal spending on tribal affairs is multifaceted, encompassing various programs across multiple agencies. To contextualize this award, one would need to analyze broader trends in federal funding for tribal initiatives, including grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for services like event management, economic development, and cultural preservation. This specific award represents a focused investment by the Department of Justice for a particular event.

What are the performance metrics and oversight mechanisms in place to ensure successful delivery of services?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or detailed oversight mechanisms for this contract. Typically, a 'Time and Materials' contract with a sole-source award would necessitate robust oversight from the contracting officer's representative (COR) or a designated government official. Key performance indicators (KPIs) would likely be defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), focusing on aspects like timeliness of service delivery, quality of support, adherence to budget, and client satisfaction. Regular progress meetings, detailed invoicing with justification for hours and materials, and performance reviews would be crucial oversight tools to ensure the contractor meets expectations and that taxpayer funds are used effectively.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › Convention and Trade Show Organizers

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2600 JOHN SAXON BLVD, NORMAN, OK, 73071

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,182,586

Exercised Options: $1,532,550

Current Obligation: $1,532,550

Actual Outlays: $667,178

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $434,761

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 15JPSS25D00000145

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline