State Department's $2.1M contract for management consulting services awarded to Crisis Response Co LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,132,899 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Crisis Response CO LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2019-06-01

End Date: 2025-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $973/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CESSNA TECHNICAL ADVISORS

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $2.1 million to CRISIS RESPONSE CO LLC for work described as: CESSNA TECHNICAL ADVISORS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized management consulting services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of nearly 6 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Services are categorized under 'Other Management Consulting Services,' a broad but essential category. 5. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger framework agreement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $2.1 million over its nearly 6-year period suggests a moderate annual spend for management consulting. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'Other Management Consulting Services' would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the use of full and open competition generally supports competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the initial pool of potential offerors might have been narrowed, the final award was made through a competitive process. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method aims to ensure fair competition and potentially better pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: This competitive approach is beneficial for taxpayers as it allows multiple qualified firms to bid, driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from specialized management consulting expertise. Services likely support critical operational or strategic initiatives within the agency. The geographic impact is primarily domestic, supporting the agency's administrative functions. Workforce implications are indirect, focusing on enhancing agency efficiency rather than direct job creation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The broad category of 'Other Management Consulting Services' lacks detailed scope definition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Long contract duration suggests a sustained and recognized need for the services.
The contractor, Crisis Response Co LLC, was selected, implying they met the required qualifications.

Sector Analysis

The management consulting sector is a significant part of the professional services industry, supporting government agencies in areas ranging from strategic planning to operational efficiency. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services procured by federal agencies, which often rely on external expertise for specialized tasks. Comparable spending benchmarks for management consulting services vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific requirement or outcome for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit mention of small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are usually embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance data may not always be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Management and Administrative Services
Professional and Management Support Services
Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes outcome assessment difficult.
Ambiguity in the scope of 'Other Management Consulting Services'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $2.1 million to CRISIS RESPONSE CO LLC. CESSNA TECHNICAL ADVISORS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CRISIS RESPONSE CO LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-06-01. End: 2025-05-31.

What specific management consulting services are being provided under this contract?

The contract falls under the NAICS code 541618, 'Other Management Consulting Services.' This is a broad category that can encompass a wide range of activities, including policy advice, organizational analysis, process improvement, and strategic planning. Without further details on the Statement of Work (SOW) or task orders issued under this contract, the precise nature of the consulting services remains unspecified. However, given the contractor's name, 'Crisis Response Co LLC,' it is plausible that the services relate to emergency preparedness, risk management, or operational continuity planning for the Department of State.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other similar consulting contracts?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are common for services where the scope of work is not clearly defined at the outset or is expected to evolve. While T&M offers flexibility, it carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed diligently. Benchmarking T&M rates for similar consulting services requires access to detailed pricing data, including labor categories, hourly rates, and overhead factors. Generally, government agencies prefer fixed-price contracts when possible to ensure cost certainty. The use of T&M here suggests that the specific tasks and duration were difficult to predict precisely, necessitating flexibility but also requiring robust oversight from the Department of State to control costs.

What is the track record of Crisis Response Co LLC in performing government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Crisis Response Co LLC in performing government contracts is not detailed in the provided data. The award itself indicates they met the requirements for this specific contract. A comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), the types and values of previous contracts they have held, and any reported issues or successes. Without this external data, it's difficult to definitively assess their past performance reliability and expertise.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Other Management Consulting Services' at the Department of State?

The provided data only pertains to this single contract award. To understand historical spending patterns for 'Other Management Consulting Services' at the Department of State, one would need to analyze aggregate spending data over several fiscal years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending.gov) for all contracts awarded under NAICS code 541618 by the Department of State. Analyzing this trend would reveal the agency's reliance on external consulting, the average contract values, and the typical duration of such engagements, providing context for the current $2.1 million award.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?

This award type, 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' implies that the agency initially identified a specific set of potential sources but then opened the competition to all qualified sources. While it's a form of full and open competition, the initial exclusion might raise questions about whether the exclusion criteria were justified and if they inadvertently limited the competitive pool. Potential risks include the possibility that highly qualified vendors were excluded prematurely, potentially leading to less optimal pricing or solutions. However, if the exclusion was based on legitimate technical requirements or prior performance issues, it could also be a risk mitigation strategy. The key is ensuring the exclusion process was transparent and fair.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other 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

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 121 RIVER OAKS DR, SOUTHLAKE, TX, 76092

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,528,873

Exercised Options: $2,525,232

Current Obligation: $2,132,899

Actual Outlays: $762,995

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA17D0054

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline