Treasury awards $59,811 contract for technical assistance, with competition dynamics to be further analyzed

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $59,811 ($59.8K)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2027-04-18

Contract Duration: 1,112 days

Daily Burn Rate: $54/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WESTCOTT, JAMES VERNON NEW CONTRACT OFFICE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (RVNU)

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $59,811.2 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: WESTCOTT, JAMES VERNON NEW CONTRACT OFFICE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (RVNU) Key points: 1. Contract value appears modest, suggesting a focused scope of work. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 3. Limited details on the contractor and specific services necessitate further investigation into performance risks. 4. The contract duration spans over three years, implying a need for sustained technical expertise. 5. The 'Cost No Fee' pricing structure warrants scrutiny to ensure fair compensation for services rendered. 6. The specific nature of 'International Affairs' technical assistance requires understanding of the program's objectives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $59,811 is relatively small, making direct comparisons to larger contracts difficult. The 'Cost No Fee' (Cost Reimbursement) contract type, while common, requires careful monitoring to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract. Without more information on the specific services provided and the contractor's overhead, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale technical assistance contracts would be beneficial.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bids (indicated by 'no': 3) provides some level of price discovery. However, the undisclosed domestic awardee means we cannot assess their specific qualifications or market position relative to other potential bidders. The level of competition appears moderate for a contract of this size.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it encourages a wider range of offers and can lead to more competitive pricing. The moderate number of bids suggests a reasonable effort to secure value.

Public Impact

The Office of Technical Assistance (RVNU) within the Department of the Treasury is the primary beneficiary, likely receiving specialized expertise. The contract is expected to deliver technical assistance related to international affairs, though the specific nature of this assistance is not detailed. The geographic impact is not specified but likely relates to the Treasury's international financial operations or policy development. Workforce implications are minimal given the contract's small size, likely involving a small team or individual consultant.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the specific services and the awarded contractor hinders a thorough risk assessment.
The 'Cost No Fee' contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure fair pricing.
The limited scope and value may indicate a niche requirement, but the strategic importance of this assistance is unclear.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a structured procurement process.
The contract has a defined period of performance, providing a clear timeline for service delivery.
The Department of the Treasury is a reputable agency with established oversight mechanisms.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on technical assistance and consulting for government agencies. The market for such services is broad, encompassing firms with expertise in international finance, policy analysis, and program management. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar, smaller-scale advisory services for federal agencies would place it in the lower end of the spending spectrum for specialized consulting.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if this contract involved small business set-asides or subcontracting opportunities. Given the contract's modest value and the undisclosed awardee, it is difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem without further information.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of the Treasury's Office of Technical Assistance. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and deliverables. Transparency is limited by the lack of detailed information on the contractor and the specific services rendered.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Treasury - Office of Technical Assistance
International Affairs Advisory Services
Federal Consulting Contracts

Risk Flags

Undisclosed Awardee
Cost Reimbursement Contract Type
Limited Scope Detail

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $59,811.2 to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). WESTCOTT, JAMES VERNON NEW CONTRACT OFFICE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (RVNU)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $59,811.2.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2027-04-18.

What specific technical assistance is being provided under this contract, and what is the expected outcome?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'International Affairs' technical assistance by the 'Office of Technical Assistance (RVNU)' within the Department of the Treasury. However, the specific nature of the technical assistance, the deliverables, and the expected outcomes are not detailed in the provided information. This could range from policy analysis and recommendations to support for international financial negotiations or program implementation. Further inquiry into the contract's statement of work or related documentation would be necessary to ascertain the precise services and their intended impact. Without this, it's difficult to assess the contract's effectiveness or value beyond its stated purpose.

Who is the awarded contractor, and what is their track record with the federal government?

The provided data explicitly states 'DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED)' for this contract. Therefore, the identity of the awarded contractor is not available in the given information. Consequently, assessing the contractor's track record, past performance, experience with similar contracts, or any potential past performance issues with the federal government is not possible. This lack of transparency regarding the awardee is a significant gap in understanding the contract's risk profile and the reliability of the service provider.

How does the 'Cost No Fee' pricing structure compare to similar technical assistance contracts?

The 'Cost No Fee' (Cost Reimbursement) contract type means the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs but does not receive a fee or profit. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined, or when the government wants to encourage innovation or collaboration. For technical assistance contracts, especially those involving research or advisory services where exact costs are hard to predict, this can be appropriate. However, it necessitates robust government oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and directly related to the contract's objectives. Compared to fixed-price contracts, 'Cost No Fee' can offer more flexibility but potentially higher overall costs if not managed tightly. Without specific benchmarks for similar international affairs technical assistance, it's difficult to definitively state if this structure represents optimal value.

What is the strategic importance of this contract to the Department of the Treasury's international affairs mission?

The strategic importance of this $59,811 contract for international affairs technical assistance is not immediately clear from the provided data. The modest contract value suggests a focused or supplementary role rather than a large-scale strategic initiative. It could be supporting a specific policy development, a particular international forum, or providing specialized expertise on a niche issue within the Treasury's broader international financial engagement. Understanding its strategic relevance would require knowledge of the Treasury's current international priorities and how this specific technical assistance contributes to achieving those goals. It might be a critical piece of a larger puzzle or a minor support function.

Are there any potential risks associated with the undisclosed awardee and the 'Cost No Fee' structure?

Yes, there are potential risks. The primary risk associated with the undisclosed awardee is the inability to perform due diligence on their capabilities, past performance, and financial stability. This opacity hinders the government's ability to ensure the contractor can successfully deliver the required services and manage potential conflicts of interest. For the 'Cost No Fee' structure, the main risk is cost escalation. Without a fixed price, the contractor has less incentive to control costs, and the government bears the financial burden of all allowable expenses. Effective oversight, clear cost accounting standards, and regular audits are crucial to mitigate these risks. The combination of an unknown contractor and a cost-reimbursable contract type warrants heightened scrutiny.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › National Security and International Affairs › International Affairs

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 2032K824R00006

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $185,187

Exercised Options: $108,505

Current Obligation: $59,811

Actual Outlays: $24,113

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline