NEH Spends $12,686 Annually for BoardSource Membership, Lacking Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,686 ($12.7K)
Contractor: Boardsource
Awarding Agency: National Endowment for the Humanities
Start Date: 2026-04-09
End Date: 2027-04-09
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $35/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO BOARDSOURCE, WHICH PROVIDES CAPACITY-BUILDING RESOURCES FOR THE HUMANITIES COUNCILS.
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22304
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Endowment for the Humanities obligated $12,686 to BOARDSOURCE for work described as: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO BOARDSOURCE, WHICH PROVIDES CAPACITY-BUILDING RESOURCES FOR THE HUMANITIES COUNCILS. Key points: 1. Annual membership cost is $12,686. 2. Sole provider is BoardSource. 3. Lack of competition raises concerns about value. 4. Humanities sector relies on capacity-building resources.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The annual cost of $12,686 for a membership to BoardSource is difficult to benchmark without comparable contracts. However, the lack of competition suggests potential overpricing or missed opportunities for cost savings.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may prevent the government from securing the best possible price or terms.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the absence of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Citizens may question the necessity of this specific membership. Lack of transparency in the procurement process. Potential for funds to be used more effectively elsewhere.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 35 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source procurement
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
Positive Signals
- Provides capacity-building resources
- Supports humanities councils
Sector Analysis
The National Endowment for the Humanities operates within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector. Benchmarking spending in this area is challenging without more specific service details, but competitive procurement is standard practice.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were considered or involved in this procurement. The sole-source nature of the award further limits opportunities for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The lack of competition and sole-source award warrant further oversight to ensure the value and necessity of this membership are justified and that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- National Endowment for the Humanities Contracting
- National Endowment for the Humanities Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for inflated costs
- Limited transparency in procurement
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, national-endowment-for-the-humanities, va, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Endowment for the Humanities awarded $12,686 to BOARDSOURCE. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO BOARDSOURCE, WHICH PROVIDES CAPACITY-BUILDING RESOURCES FOR THE HUMANITIES COUNCILS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BOARDSOURCE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Endowment for the Humanities (National Endowment for the Humanities).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12,686.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-09. End: 2027-04-09.
What specific capacity-building resources does BoardSource provide that are essential for the Humanities Councils, and have alternatives been explored?
BoardSource offers resources such as governance best practices, board development training, and strategic planning support tailored for non-profit organizations, including those in the humanities sector. While essential for some, the government should explore if similar or more cost-effective resources are available through competitive means or other established government programs before resorting to sole-source contracts.
Given the sole-source nature, how can the NEH ensure this membership provides fair market value and is not overpriced?
The NEH can attempt to ensure fair market value by conducting an independent cost analysis of the membership fees, comparing them to similar services offered by other organizations (even if not directly competitive for this contract), and seeking justification from BoardSource for their pricing structure. Regular reviews of the membership's utility and impact are also crucial.
What is the long-term strategy for acquiring these capacity-building resources, and will future procurements be competed?
The long-term strategy should involve assessing the ongoing need for BoardSource's specific services and determining if competitive procurement is feasible for future contract periods. If the services remain unique and essential, the NEH should still explore options for phased competition or performance-based contracts to encourage better pricing and service delivery over time.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3713 TAFT AVE, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22304
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $12,686
Exercised Options: $12,686
Current Obligation: $12,686
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-09
Current End Date: 2027-04-09
Potential End Date: 2027-10-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09