Department of State's $36.6M BPA Call for Program Management Support Awarded to GUIDEHOUSE LLP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,598,247 ($36.6M)

Contractor: Guidehouse LLP

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2021-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.2K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: A/EX/ITS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT CALL COMPETED AMONGST EXISTING DEPARTMENT OF STATE BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20522

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $36.6 million to GUIDEHOUSE LLP for work described as: A/EX/ITS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT CALL COMPETED AMONGST EXISTING DEPARTMENT OF STATE BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded under an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), suggesting a pre-vetted vendor pool. 2. The contract utilizes a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, which can pose cost control challenges. 3. Awarded to a single vendor, GUIDEHOUSE LLP, for the duration of the BPA call. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 indicates services related to administrative and general management consulting. 5. The contract duration extends to September 2026, indicating a long-term need for these services. 6. The contract was competed amongst existing BPA holders, implying some level of pre-qualification and competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of approximately $36.6 million over its period of performance requires careful monitoring due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure. While T&M can offer flexibility, it also presents a higher risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. Benchmarking this against similar program management support contracts within the federal government is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services. However, the total value suggests a significant engagement for management consulting services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) for program and project management. This implies that the competition was limited to vendors already holding that BPA, rather than a full and open competition. While there was competition among BPA holders, the exact number of bidders is not specified, which makes it difficult to fully assess the intensity of the competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition limited to existing BPA holders may result in less aggressive pricing compared to a full and open solicitation. Taxpayers benefit from the pre-negotiated terms of the BPA, but the ultimate value depends on the number and competitiveness of the bids received for this specific call.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from ongoing program and project management support, crucial for the effective execution of its initiatives. This contract enables the delivery of essential administrative and general management consulting services. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the Department of State is headquartered. The contract supports a workforce of consultants providing specialized management expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure increases risk of cost overruns if not closely managed.
Limited competition among existing BPA holders may not yield the most cost-effective pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness.
The long duration of the contract (until 2026) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.

Positive Signals

Awarded under an existing BPA, suggesting a streamlined procurement process and pre-qualified vendor.
The contract addresses a clear need for program and project management support within the Department of State.
The vendor, GUIDEHOUSE LLP, is a known entity in the federal consulting space.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of government functions. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in program management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. The Department of State's reliance on such services is common across many federal agencies to augment internal capabilities and manage complex projects.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal. The focus appears to be on leveraging established capabilities, potentially from larger firms or their established networks, rather than specifically promoting small business participation through this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be embedded within the BPA call's terms and conditions, including performance expectations and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's existence and its award details being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Program Management Support Services
Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Services
Project Management Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Limited competition may impact price competitiveness.
Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $36.6 million to GUIDEHOUSE LLP. A/EX/ITS PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT CALL COMPETED AMONGST EXISTING DEPARTMENT OF STATE BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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 $36.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific scope of work covered by this BPA Call, and how does it align with the Department of State's strategic objectives?

The BPA Call is for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' under an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement for 'Program and Project Management'. While the exact scope of work is not detailed in the provided data, it generally encompasses providing expertise and support to manage and execute various programs and projects within the Department of State. This could include tasks such as strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, resource allocation, risk management, and performance monitoring. The alignment with strategic objectives would depend on the specific programs and projects being supported, which are not detailed here. However, effective program and project management is fundamental to achieving any agency's mission.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services, and what are the associated risks?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts compensate the contractor for the direct labor hours at specified fixed hourly rates and for the actual costs of materials. This contrasts with fixed-price contracts, where the price is set regardless of the actual effort expended, or cost-plus contracts, which reimburse costs plus a fee. T&M contracts offer flexibility, especially when the scope of work is not well-defined or is expected to change. However, they carry a higher risk for the government, as the total cost is not predetermined and can escalate if the contractor's efficiency is low or if the work takes longer than anticipated. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and costs, and strong negotiation of hourly rates are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

What is GUIDEHOUSE LLP's track record with the Department of State and other federal agencies for similar services?

GUIDEHOUSE LLP, formerly known as Navigant Consulting, has a significant presence in the federal contracting space, including work with the Department of State and other agencies. Their expertise often lies in areas such as financial management, cybersecurity, program management, and strategic consulting. A detailed review of federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would reveal specific contract history, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and the types of services they have provided. Their history suggests they are capable of handling complex federal contracts, but specific performance on similar program management support BPA calls would be the most relevant indicator of their suitability for this particular award.

What is the historical spending trend for program and project management support services at the Department of State?

Analyzing historical spending trends for program and project management support at the Department of State would require accessing detailed federal procurement data over several fiscal years. Generally, agencies like the Department of State, which manage numerous complex international and domestic programs, consistently require significant investment in program and project management expertise. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on the initiation of new major programs, the lifecycle stage of existing ones, and overall budget allocations. A trend analysis would likely show a sustained or potentially increasing demand for these services, reflecting the complexity and scale of the Department's operations and its continuous need for effective execution and oversight of its initiatives.

How does the $36.6 million value of this BPA Call compare to the total value of the underlying BPA it was competed under?

The provided data indicates that $36.6 million is the value of this specific BPA Call, not necessarily the total value of the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). BPAs are typically established with a ceiling amount or a period of performance, and individual 'calls' or 'orders' are placed against them. The total value of the underlying BPA could be significantly higher, potentially spanning multiple years and allowing for numerous calls to various vendors or for different services. Without knowing the ceiling and duration of the master BPA, it's impossible to definitively compare this call's value. However, $36.6 million represents a substantial portion of potential spending under a single BPA call, suggesting a significant and ongoing requirement.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $63,224,343

Exercised Options: $63,224,343

Current Obligation: $36,598,247

Actual Outlays: $14,430,009

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM19A0281

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline