State Department awards $6.5M management consulting task order to Guidehouse LLP for IMAC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,495,687 ($6.5M)

Contractor: Guidehouse LLP

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-09-25

End Date: 2025-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,040 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARD OF TASK ORDER INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (IMAC)

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $6.5 million to GUIDEHOUSE LLP for work described as: AWARD OF TASK ORDER INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (IMAC) Key points: 1. Task order awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential price competition. 2. Contract duration extends over two years, suggesting a need for sustained advisory services. 3. The administrative management and general management consulting services category is broad, requiring clarity on specific deliverables. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers some cost certainty but may limit flexibility for evolving needs. 5. Awarded to a single vendor, limiting opportunities for small business participation through subcontracting. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of federal consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.5 million over approximately two years appears moderate for management consulting services. Without comparable sole-source awards or detailed performance metrics, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar task orders for administrative management consulting within the State Department or other agencies would provide better context. The fixed-price nature suggests an expectation of defined scope, but the absence of competition could lead to less favorable pricing than a more open process.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This task order was not competed under the simplified acquisition procedures and was awarded on a sole-source basis. This indicates that the agency likely identified a specific need that could only be met by Guidehouse LLP, or that the procurement process did not allow for broader competition. The lack of multiple bidders means there was no direct price comparison or incentive for vendors to offer their most competitive rates.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the potential for taxpayers to benefit from competitive pricing, as the agency did not leverage market forces to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The Information Management Advisory Council (IMAC) is expected to benefit from enhanced management and administrative support. Services delivered will likely focus on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of information management processes within the Department of State. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of State's operations, likely centered in Virginia where the contractor is located. Workforce implications may involve direct support to State Department personnel involved in information management, potentially requiring specialized expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing opportunities for taxpayers.
Broad service category may obscure specific performance expectations and value.
Lack of small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements limits broader economic impact.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Award to a single vendor suggests a potentially specialized or urgent need.
Contract duration allows for sustained support and project completion.

Sector Analysis

The federal consulting services market is substantial, with agencies frequently procuring expertise in administrative management and general management. This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on management and strategy consulting. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar task orders within the Department of State or across government agencies for administrative management consulting would typically range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, depending on scope and duration. The market is characterized by a mix of large, established firms and specialized boutiques.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not competed and does not appear to include specific provisions for small business set-asides or subcontracting. As a sole-source award to Guidehouse LLP, opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract are likely limited to direct subcontracting if Guidehouse chooses to engage them. This limits the potential for small businesses to gain experience and revenue from this particular federal expenditure.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of State. Accountability measures are typically defined by the contract's performance work statement and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, but the specifics of performance and value are not always publicly detailed, especially for sole-source awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Management Consulting Services
Information Management Support Contracts
Federal Administrative Services
General Management Consulting Task Orders

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
Broad service description lacks specificity.
Potential for contractor lock-in due to sole-source nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $6.5 million to GUIDEHOUSE LLP. AWARD OF TASK ORDER INFORMATION MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (IMAC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GUIDEHOUSE LLP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-25. End: 2025-07-31.

What specific services are encompassed by 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' for IMAC?

The specific services under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' for the Information Management Advisory Council (IMAC) are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, this broad category can include strategic planning, organizational assessment, process improvement, policy development, program management support, and advisory services related to the efficient and effective operation of administrative functions. For IMAC, it likely pertains to enhancing the council's ability to manage information, streamline operations, and provide strategic guidance on information-related matters within the Department of State. A more granular understanding would require reviewing the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with this task order.

How does the $6.5 million award compare to historical spending on IMAC or similar functions within the State Department?

The provided data does not include historical spending figures for the Information Management Advisory Council (IMAC) or comparable functions within the Department of State. Therefore, a direct comparison to assess if $6.5 million represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment is not possible. To make such a comparison, one would need access to historical contract databases or agency budget documents that detail past expenditures on information management advisory services. This context is crucial for understanding trends and the significance of the current award.

What is Guidehouse LLP's track record with the Department of State and in providing similar consulting services?

Guidehouse LLP is a known entity in the federal contracting space, often providing consulting services across various agencies, including the Department of State. While the provided data confirms this award, it does not detail Guidehouse's specific performance history or track record with the State Department on prior contracts. To assess their track record, one would typically review past performance evaluations, contract awards, and any publicly available information on their successful delivery of similar administrative and management consulting services. Their general reputation suggests experience in this domain, but specific performance on State Department contracts would require further investigation.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this task order?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this task order. These critical elements are usually outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) that accompanies the contract. For a management consulting engagement like this, KPIs might include the successful development of strategic plans, implementation of process improvements, delivery of analytical reports, achievement of efficiency targets, or successful facilitation of council meetings. Without access to the SOW/PWS, it is impossible to define the precise metrics for success and accountability.

Given the sole-source nature, what justification did the State Department provide for not competing this requirement?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded as a 'BPA CALL' on a sole-source basis. However, it does not include the specific justification the Department of State provided for this sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. The agency would have documented this justification, often through a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC), which would typically be publicly accessible through sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or agency FOIA requests.

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 COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

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: $6,497,946

Exercised Options: $6,497,946

Current Obligation: $6,495,687

Actual Outlays: $1,849,798

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM19A0281

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline