VA Awards $4.8M Contract for OAL Program Management to Echo Five Group, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,820,433 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Echo Five Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2024-01-19

End Date: 2025-01-18

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.2K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $4.8 million to ECHO FIVE GROUP, LLC for work described as: OAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative and management consulting services. 2. Sole source award to Echo Five Group, LLC. 3. Potential for limited competition due to specific service requirements. 4. Focus on program management within the VA. 5. Contract duration is one year.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $4.82 million for a one-year definitive contract appears reasonable for specialized program management services. Benchmarking against similar administrative and management consulting contracts within the federal government would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a competitive procurement.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for this contract. The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the best possible price was achieved.

Public Impact

Veterans Affairs programs will receive management support. Potential impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of VA operations. Echo Five Group, LLC will be the sole provider for these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Lack of detailed justification for sole-source.
No clear performance metrics provided.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical VA program management.
Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs and the complexity of the services required. Benchmarks are often difficult to establish due to the bespoke nature of consulting engagements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Echo Five Group, LLC delivers on program management objectives effectively and efficiently. The VA contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Veterans Affairs Contracting
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potentially increases cost.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for sole-source.
No clear performance metrics provided to assess contractor effectiveness.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to sole-source nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $4.8 million to ECHO FIVE GROUP, LLC. OAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ECHO FIVE GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-19. End: 2025-01-18.

What specific OAL program management functions are being contracted, and how do they align with VA strategic goals?

The contract is for 'OAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT' under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). While the specific functions are not detailed, they likely involve supporting the operational and administrative aspects of a program within the VA. The alignment with strategic goals would depend on the specific program being managed and its contribution to the VA's overall mission of serving veterans.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing?

The provided data states the contract is 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' and awarded as 'sole-source'. A detailed justification for this determination is not included. Typically, sole-source awards require a strong rationale, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if fair pricing was achieved through adequate market research or other price validation methods.

How will the effectiveness of Echo Five Group, LLC's program management services be measured and evaluated?

The provided data does not specify performance metrics or evaluation criteria for this contract. Effective oversight by the VA contracting officer will be essential to monitor the contractor's performance. Establishing clear deliverables, key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular progress reviews would be necessary to ensure the services meet the VA's needs and deliver value.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5636 WILLIAMSBURG BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22207

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,820,433

Exercised Options: $4,820,433

Current Obligation: $4,820,433

Actual Outlays: $4,820,433

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline