State Dept Awards $451K for Senior Water Advisor Support to Creative IT Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $451,934 ($451.9K)

Contractor: Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-09-02

End Date: 2026-09-01

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $620/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CREATIVEIT SOLUTIONS PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES - SENIOR WATER ADVISOR

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 $451,933.74 to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: CREATIVEIT SOLUTIONS PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES - SENIOR WATER ADVISOR Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Creative IT Solutions, LLC for administrative management and general management consulting. 2. The contract value is $451,933.74 over 729 days. 3. The contract was not available for competition, raising potential concerns about price discovery. 4. The sector is administrative management and general management consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $451,933.74 for a Senior Water Advisor role appears high for a single consultant, especially without clear benchmarks. Pricing assessment is difficult without comparable contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited competition approach. This lack of competition may have impacted the government's ability to secure the best possible price.

Taxpayer Impact: Without competitive bidding, taxpayers may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution for these professional support services.

Public Impact

Citizens may question the justification for a sole-source award for consulting services. The specific expertise of a 'Senior Water Advisor' and its criticality to the Department of State's mission warrants public understanding. Transparency regarding the selection process and the value derived from this contract is important for public trust.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of clear per-unit cost benchmark
Potential for overpayment without competitive pricing

Positive Signals

Specific expertise for a critical role
Defined contract duration and value

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Benchmarks for similar senior advisory roles can vary widely based on specialization and experience, but competitive processes typically yield better value.

Small Business Impact

Creative IT Solutions, LLC is the awardee. Further analysis would be needed to determine if this represents a small business award or if subcontracting opportunities were provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is needed to ensure the services provided are necessary, effective, and priced appropriately, especially given the limited competition.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Lack of price benchmark
Potential for cost overruns
Insufficient transparency on justification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $451,933.74 to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC. CREATIVEIT SOLUTIONS PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES - SENIOR WATER ADVISOR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $451,933.74.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-02. End: 2026-09-01.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a limited competition basis?

The justification for limited competition typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific requirements that only one or a limited number of contractors can meet. For this Senior Water Advisor role, the Department of State would need to provide documentation detailing why Creative IT Solutions, LLC was the only viable option or why full and open competition was not feasible or advantageous.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar senior advisory roles within the government or private sector?

Without access to a competitive bidding process or specific market data for 'Senior Water Advisor' roles with comparable responsibilities and experience levels, a direct cost comparison is challenging. The absence of a per-unit cost benchmark makes it difficult to assess if $451,933.74 over two years represents a fair market price. Benchmarking against similar roles in other agencies or private sector consulting firms would be necessary.

What are the measurable outcomes and deliverables expected from this Senior Water Advisor contract?

The effectiveness of this contract hinges on clearly defined and measurable outcomes and deliverables. The Department of State should have established specific objectives related to water policy, strategy development, or international cooperation that this advisor is expected to achieve. Tracking progress against these defined goals is crucial for assessing the value and impact of the services rendered.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM20R0160

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 N CLASSEN BLVD STE 1700, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73106

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $500,658

Exercised Options: $466,658

Current Obligation: $451,934

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM21D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline