Department of State awards $3.4M for professional services, with limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,465,155 ($3.5M)

Contractor: A. Prentice RAY & Associates, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2018-09-05

End Date: 2022-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,484 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS IS A NEW TO AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT #19AQMM18D0102 IGF::CL::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $3.5 million to A. PRENTICE RAY & ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: THIS IS A NEW TO AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT #19AQMM18D0102 IGF::CL::IGF Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.4 million over four years suggests a moderate investment in specialized services. 2. The 'Not Available for Competition' status raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market engagement. 3. Performance period of nearly four years indicates a need for sustained support in professional services. 4. The contract is categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad area. 5. Awarded to A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC, highlighting a specific contractor's role in fulfilling these needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $3.4 million over approximately four years averages to about $860,000 annually. Without specific deliverables or a detailed breakdown of services, it is difficult to benchmark this against similar contracts. The 'Not Available for Competition' status also limits the ability to assess pricing against competitive market rates, suggesting potential for higher costs than if multiple bids were considered. The value proposition is unclear without more context on the criticality and scope of the services provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a 'Not Available for Competition' designation, indicating that the Department of State did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement, or in specific emergency situations. The lack of competition means that price discovery through market forces was not utilized, potentially impacting the final cost.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. This could mean that a higher amount was paid for the services than might have been achieved in an open market scenario.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from specialized professional, scientific, and technical services to support its operations. Services delivered likely contribute to the agency's mission fulfillment, though the specific nature is not detailed. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the Department of State is headquartered. Workforce implications are primarily for the contractor, A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC, and potentially for government personnel overseeing the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs for taxpayers.
Limited transparency into the specific services rendered and their impact.
The broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category makes it hard to assess true value.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a specific entity suggests a recognized capability to meet a need.
A defined performance period indicates a structured approach to service delivery.
The award is part of the Department of State's broader procurement activities.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is vast and encompasses a wide range of support functions for government agencies. This contract falls under a broad NAICS code (541990) for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' Spending in this category can vary significantly based on agency needs, from administrative support to highly specialized consulting. Benchmarking is challenging due to the heterogeneity of services within this code, but government spending on professional services is a substantial portion of the federal budget.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this particular award. The focus appears to be on fulfilling the service requirement through the awarded contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract's statement of work. Transparency is limited by the 'Not Available for Competition' status and the general nature of the service category. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Professional Services Contracts
Federal IT and Professional Services
Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) for Services
All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Spending

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about cost-effectiveness.
Broad service category lacks specificity, potentially leading to scope creep.
Lack of detailed public information hinders thorough value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $3.5 million to A. PRENTICE RAY & ASSOCIATES, LLC. THIS IS A NEW TO AGAINST IDIQ CONTRACT #19AQMM18D0102 IGF::CL::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A. PRENTICE RAY & ASSOCIATES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-09-05. End: 2022-09-28.

What specific services were provided under this contract?

The contract falls under the broad category of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). Without a detailed statement of work or task orders, the precise nature of the services rendered is not publicly available. This could range from administrative support, research, consulting, or other specialized technical assistance. The limited competition award suggests these services were deemed critical and potentially unique to the contractor's capabilities or required under specific circumstances that precluded a broader solicitation.

How does the $3.4 million award compare to similar contracts for professional services at the Department of State?

Benchmarking this $3.4 million award against similar contracts at the Department of State is challenging without more specific service details. The Department of State procures a wide array of professional services, from IT support to policy analysis and diplomatic support functions. Contracts can range from small, task-specific awards to large, multi-year IDIQs. Given the 'Not Available for Competition' status, this award might represent a specialized need or a continuation of services where a sole source was identified. A direct comparison would require identifying contracts with identical or highly similar service descriptions and performance periods.

What are the risks associated with awarding contracts on a 'Not Available for Competition' basis?

The primary risk associated with 'Not Available for Competition' (sole-source) awards is the potential for reduced value for money. Without competitive bidding, the government may pay higher prices than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract. There's also a risk of limited innovation, as the government is reliant on a single provider's approach. Furthermore, it can create a perception of favoritism or lack of transparency, potentially undermining public trust. Agencies must have strong justification for sole-source awards, often related to unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific government-unique requirements.

What is the track record of A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC with federal contracts?

Information on the federal contract history of A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on other federal awards, including contract values, agencies served, types of services rendered, and any performance reviews or disputes. A comprehensive review would involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to understand their experience, reliability, and capacity to deliver on government requirements.

How does the duration of this contract (nearly 4 years) impact its overall value and risk?

A contract duration of nearly four years (1484 days) suggests a sustained need for the services provided by A. Prentice Ray & Associates, LLC. For the government, longer durations can offer stability and ensure continuity of essential services, potentially reducing administrative burden associated with frequent re-procurement. However, it also locks the government into a specific provider and pricing structure for an extended period. This increases the risk if the contractor's performance declines or if market conditions change, making the initial pricing less competitive over time. Robust oversight and performance management are crucial for long-term contracts.

What does the broad NAICS code 541990 imply about the contract's scope and potential for cost overruns?

The NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is extremely broad, encompassing a wide array of activities that do not fit into more specific categories. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to precisely define the scope of work for this $3.4 million contract. Such broad categorization can increase the risk of scope creep and cost overruns if the deliverables are not clearly defined and managed. It also complicates benchmarking against industry standards, as the range of services is so vast. Effective contract management requires detailed statements of work and clear performance metrics, regardless of the broad NAICS code.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: A. Prentice RAY & Associates LLC

Address: 20 F STREET, NW 7TH FL, WASHINGTON, DC, 20001

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,565,267

Exercised Options: $3,467,082

Current Obligation: $3,465,155

Actual Outlays: $789,748

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM18D0102

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline