State Department awards $5.3M contract for senior-level advisors to Europe and Eurasia

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,292,203 ($5.3M)

Contractor: Tuvli LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-08-30

End Date: 2026-08-29

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SENIOR-LEVEL ADVISORS FOR THE OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR OF U.S. ASSISTANCE TO EUROPE AND EURASIA EUR/ACE.

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 $5.3 million to TUVLI LLC for work described as: SENIOR-LEVEL ADVISORS FOR THE OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR OF U.S. ASSISTANCE TO EUROPE AND EURASIA EUR/ACE. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential advisory services for U.S. assistance programs in Europe and Eurasia. 2. The contract was not competitively bid, raising questions about potential cost savings. 3. Services are delivered on a labor-hours basis, which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The duration of the contract extends over multiple years, indicating a sustained need for these advisory roles. 5. The contractor, TUVLI LLC, is responsible for delivering these specialized services. 6. The contract is categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $5.3 million over approximately four years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized advisory services. Without comparable contract data for similar advisory roles within the State Department or other agencies focused on European and Eurasian affairs, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The labor-hours pricing structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure efficiency and prevent scope creep, which could inflate costs beyond initial expectations. Benchmarking against industry standards for senior-level consultants in international affairs would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not open to competition from other potential vendors. The justification for sole-source awards typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific circumstances where only one vendor can fulfill the requirement. The lack of competition means that the government did not explore potentially lower prices or more innovative solutions that might have been offered by multiple bidders. This approach can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to a competitive procurement process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these services due to the absence of competitive bidding. The government's ability to negotiate favorable terms is limited when only one provider is considered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (EUR/ACE), which receives critical advisory support. The services delivered are high-level strategic advice and expertise related to U.S. foreign assistance. The geographic impact is focused on U.S. foreign policy and assistance efforts in Europe and Eurasia. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized consultants to support government objectives in a complex geopolitical region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition, potentially increasing costs for taxpayers.
Labor-hours contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Lack of public information on the specific services and performance metrics makes independent assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific need for specialized advisory services in a critical foreign policy area.
The contractor is tasked with supporting U.S. assistance efforts in Europe and Eurasia, indicating a strategic alignment.
The multi-year duration suggests a stable and ongoing requirement for these expert services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on consulting and advisory roles for international affairs. The market for such specialized expertise is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified firms and individuals. Government spending in this area supports foreign policy objectives and the execution of complex international programs. Benchmarking would involve comparing the annual value of this contract to other government contracts providing similar high-level advisory services, particularly those related to foreign aid and geopolitical strategy.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by the 'ss' and 'sb' fields being false. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal, unless TUVLI LLC voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State, specifically the Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (EUR/ACE). As a sole-source award, the justification and terms of the contract would be subject to internal review and potentially audits by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or the State Department's Inspector General, particularly concerning the necessity of the sole-source designation and the efficient use of funds. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature and the nature of advisory services.

Related Government Programs

U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs
State Department Advisory Contracts
International Affairs Consulting
European and Eurasian Policy Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
Labor-hours pricing requires careful monitoring to control costs.
Broad service category lacks specific performance indicators.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $5.3 million to TUVLI LLC. SENIOR-LEVEL ADVISORS FOR THE OFFICE OF THE COORDINATOR OF U.S. ASSISTANCE TO EUROPE AND EURASIA EUR/ACE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TUVLI LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-30. End: 2026-08-29.

What is the specific expertise TUVLI LLC brings to the Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia?

The provided data does not detail the specific expertise TUVLI LLC offers beyond being a provider of 'Senior-Level Advisors'. However, given the context of the Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (EUR/ACE), it can be inferred that the advisors likely possess deep knowledge in areas such as international relations, foreign policy, economic development, security cooperation, and program management relevant to the European and Eurasian regions. Their role would typically involve providing strategic guidance, policy analysis, and operational support to facilitate the effective implementation of U.S. assistance initiatives in these critical geopolitical areas. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code is broad, suggesting a wide range of potential specialized skills.

How does the $5.3 million contract value compare to similar advisory contracts within the State Department?

Direct comparison of the $5.3 million contract value to similar advisory contracts within the State Department is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of all State Department procurements, including their specific scope and duration. However, $5.3 million spread over approximately four years (1460 days) equates to an average annual value of roughly $1.325 million. This figure is moderate for specialized, senior-level advisory services supporting complex foreign policy initiatives. Contracts for high-level strategic consulting or program management in international affairs can range significantly, from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the scope, duration, and number of personnel involved. The sole-source nature of this award limits the ability to benchmark against competitively bid contracts, which often yield lower prices.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for advisory services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for advisory services include: 1. **Higher Costs:** Without competition, the contractor may not be incentivized to offer the lowest possible price, potentially leading to inflated costs for taxpayers. 2. **Limited Innovation:** The government misses out on potentially innovative approaches or solutions that might have been proposed by a wider range of bidders. 3. **Reduced Accountability:** While oversight mechanisms exist, the lack of competitive pressure can sometimes reduce the contractor's perceived need to go above and beyond standard service delivery. 4. **Potential for Complacency:** The incumbent contractor may become complacent over time, knowing that their position is secured without the need to re-compete. 5. **Justification Scrutiny:** Sole-source awards require strong justification, and if that justification is later found to be weak, it can lead to criticism and potential investigations.

What is the expected performance context for TUVLI LLC under this contract?

The performance context for TUVLI LLC involves providing 'Senior-Level Advisors' to the Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (EUR/ACE). This implies that the advisors will be expected to offer high-level strategic counsel, policy analysis, and potentially program management support related to U.S. foreign assistance efforts in the specified regions. Performance will likely be evaluated based on the quality of advice provided, the effectiveness of their contributions to program objectives, adherence to timelines, and overall responsiveness to the needs of EUR/ACE leadership. The labor-hours basis suggests that their work will be measured by the time spent and the tasks accomplished, requiring diligent tracking and reporting.

How does the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' classification impact understanding this contract?

The classification 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS code 541990) is very broad and encompasses a wide array of services that do not fit into more specific categories. This broadness means that while the contract is clearly for professional services, the exact nature of the advisory work performed by TUVLI LLC is not immediately apparent from the classification alone. It could range from management consulting and policy analysis to scientific research support or technical assistance. This lack of specificity necessitates a closer look at the contract's statement of work (if available) to understand the precise deliverables and the specialized skills required, making it harder to benchmark against more narrowly defined service contracts.

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

Solicitation ID: SAQMMA17R0552

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13873 PARK CENTER RD STE 400N-190, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, 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, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,972,120

Exercised Options: $5,304,986

Current Obligation: $5,292,203

Actual Outlays: $427,854

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM18D0105

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline