GSA awards $2.5M contract for administrative management consulting services to RMA Associates LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,489,583 ($2.5M)

Contractor: RMA Associates LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-09-30

End Date: 2025-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARD A-123 INTERNAL CONTROLS

Place of Performance

Location: CLINTON, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20735

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $2.5 million to RMA ASSOCIATES LLC for work described as: AWARD A-123 INTERNAL CONTROLS Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to general management consulting services. 5. Awarded by the General Services Administration (GSA), a key federal procurement agency. 6. The contract is a delivery order, likely under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $2,489,583.34 over five years averages to approximately $497,916 per year. Without specific performance metrics or a detailed breakdown of services, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money definitively. However, for administrative management and general management consulting services, this price point is within a plausible range for a federal contract of this duration and scope, assuming the services are specialized and require experienced personnel. Further analysis would require comparison to similar GSA Schedule contracts or other agency procurements for comparable services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award. The number of bidders is a positive sign for achieving a fair market price.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more cost-effective outcome compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. The multiple bids received provide a basis for ensuring the government is not overpaying for the administrative management consulting services.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring administrative management and general management consulting services will benefit from the expertise provided. The services delivered are expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative operations within the contracting agency. The contract's impact is primarily focused on the operational efficiency of the federal government, rather than direct public services or specific geographic areas. The contract supports professional service roles within the consulting sector, contributing to the federal workforce in specialized areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the contract's deliverables are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant period could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed proactively.
The effectiveness of the consulting services is dependent on the contractor's ability to understand and adapt to the agency's specific needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Long-term duration suggests a stable, ongoing need that the contractor is positioned to meet.
The contractor, RMA Associates LLC, has secured a federal contract, indicating a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is a significant part of the professional services industry supporting government operations. Federal agencies frequently procure these services to enhance efficiency, implement new management strategies, and improve organizational performance. Spending in this sector is often driven by the need for specialized expertise that may not be available in-house, or for objective, external perspectives on complex management challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within GSA's Professional Services Schedule (PSS) or through analysis of similar contracts awarded to management consulting firms.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. Furthermore, the 'ss' (small business subcontracting) field is also false, suggesting that there are no explicit requirements for the prime contractor to subcontract with small businesses on this particular award. This means that the primary contractor, RMA Associates LLC, is not mandated to engage small businesses for a portion of the work under this contract, which could limit opportunities for the small business ecosystem in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the General Services Administration (GSA). The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by establishing a ceiling cost. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases like FPDS-NG, where basic contract information is publicly available. Specific performance monitoring and accountability measures would be detailed in the contract's statement of work and performance standards, with potential oversight from GSA's Office of Inspector General if performance issues or fraud are suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Professional Services Schedule (PSS)
Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Services
Federal IT Consulting Contracts
Government Operations Improvement Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor capabilities are overestimated.
Risk of cost overruns if contract scope is not tightly managed.
Dependency on contractor for critical administrative functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $2.5 million to RMA ASSOCIATES LLC. AWARD A-123 INTERNAL CONTROLS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RMA ASSOCIATES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Office of Administrative Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-30. End: 2025-09-29.

What is the track record of RMA Associates LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly in administrative management consulting?

A comprehensive review of RMA Associates LLC's track record would involve examining their past performance on federal contracts, including contract values, durations, agencies served, and any documented performance evaluations or awards. Data from the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or similar databases would be crucial here. While this specific award indicates they have secured a contract valued at approximately $2.5 million over five years, it doesn't reveal their history. A deeper dive would look for patterns of successful contract completion, adherence to schedules and budgets, and positive client feedback. Conversely, any history of contract disputes, terminations, or poor performance ratings would be significant red flags. Without access to detailed performance history, it's difficult to definitively assess their capability beyond their ability to win this specific bid.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar administrative management consulting services?

Benchmarking the $2.5 million award for 5 years requires comparing it against similar contracts awarded by the government or private sector entities for comparable services. Key factors include the specific services rendered (e.g., strategic planning, process improvement, organizational design), the level of expertise required, the geographic location of service delivery, and the duration of the contract. For instance, if this contract involves high-level strategic consulting for a major agency, the price might be considered reasonable. However, if it's for more routine administrative support, it could be on the higher side. A detailed analysis would involve querying databases like FPDS for contracts with similar NAICS codes (541611) and contract types (firm-fixed-price) awarded around the same period. Comparing the average annual cost or the fully burdened hourly rates (if derivable) against industry benchmarks would provide a clearer picture of value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks associated with this contract include potential scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns or schedule delays. Another risk is the contractor's performance not meeting expectations, impacting the agency's operational efficiency. Vendor lock-in is also a concern, especially given the five-year duration. Mitigation strategies typically involve clearly defined performance work statements (PWS), robust contract management by the GSA, regular performance reviews, and established procedures for change management. The firm-fixed-price contract type itself mitigates financial risk for the government by setting a ceiling. However, the effectiveness of these mitigations depends heavily on the diligence of the contracting officer and the clarity of the contract's terms and conditions.

How effective is the General Services Administration (GSA) in managing contracts of this nature to ensure optimal value for taxpayers?

The GSA is generally considered experienced in managing a wide array of federal contracts, including professional services. Their effectiveness in managing contracts like AWARD A-123 hinges on several factors: the clarity and completeness of the contract's statement of work, the rigor of their performance monitoring, the responsiveness of their contracting officers to issues, and the utilization of contract vehicles that promote competition. GSA's established procurement processes and oversight mechanisms aim to ensure value for taxpayers. However, effectiveness can vary depending on the specific contract, the contracting team's expertise, and the complexity of the services. Publicly available data on contract performance and GSA's Inspector General reports can offer insights into their oversight effectiveness.

What are the historical spending patterns for administrative management and general management consulting services within the GSA or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for administrative management and general management consulting services within the GSA and other federal agencies show a consistent demand for these services. Agencies frequently leverage external expertise to improve operational efficiency, implement new technologies, or navigate complex regulatory environments. Spending in this category often fluctuates based on agency priorities, budget cycles, and the initiation of large-scale transformation projects. Analyzing historical data from FPDS reveals that billions are spent annually across the federal government on management and consulting services. This specific $2.5 million award falls within the typical range for individual contracts in this domain, reflecting an ongoing need rather than an outlier expenditure.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47HAA020Q0140

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4121 WILSON BLVD STE 1100, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,578,580

Exercised Options: $2,489,583

Current Obligation: $2,489,583

Actual Outlays: $1,433,976

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F016AA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline