GSA awards $5.6M contract for strategic support services to The Clearing, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,629,683 ($5.6M)

Contractor: THE Clearing, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-01-03

End Date: 2025-02-04

Contract Duration: 763 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: COE STRATEGIC SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $5.6 million to THE CLEARING, INC. for work described as: COE STRATEGIC SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 763 days indicates a medium-term engagement for administrative management services. 3. The primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 4. Awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The contractor, The Clearing, Inc., has secured this award from the General Services Administration. 6. Services are to be performed in the District of Columbia.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount is $5,629,682.55. Without specific performance metrics or a breakdown of labor categories and hours, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar administrative management consulting contracts would require more granular data on the scope of work and deliverables. The contract is structured on a labor hours basis, which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.

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 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While competition is generally positive for price discovery, the effectiveness of this competition in driving down costs depends on the specific requirements and the number of qualified bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and better service quality.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring administrative management and general management consulting services will benefit from the expertise provided. The services delivered are expected to enhance the operational efficiency and strategic planning of the contracting agency. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the services will be performed. The contract supports professional services roles, potentially impacting the federal workforce through contractor support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance trajectory.
Labor hours contract type can pose a risk of scope creep and cost escalation if not meticulously managed.
Limited information on specific deliverables hinders a comprehensive evaluation of the value provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
The contractor, The Clearing, Inc., has secured a contract from a major federal agency (GSA).
The contract is for essential administrative and management consulting services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide range of agency operations. Comparable spending benchmarks for management consulting services vary widely based on the specific expertise and scope, but GSA's role as a central procurement agency suggests this award is for a standard service offering.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this specific award. The focus remains on large business competition unless subcontracting opportunities arise from the prime contractor's own business strategy.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and the program office within the General Services Administration. Accountability measures are usually tied to the contract's performance work statement and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts
Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics
Labor hours contract type risk
Limited scope of work detail

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $5.6 million to THE CLEARING, INC.. COE STRATEGIC SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE CLEARING, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-03. End: 2025-02-04.

What is the specific scope of work for The Clearing, Inc. under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611). However, the specific scope of work, deliverables, and tasks are not detailed in the summary data. Typically, such contracts involve providing expertise to improve agency operations, strategic planning, organizational efficiency, and management processes. Without the full contract statement of work, it's impossible to detail the precise services The Clearing, Inc. is expected to provide beyond this general classification.

How does the $5.6 million award compare to typical spending on similar GSA contracts?

The $5.6 million award for administrative management and general management consulting services over approximately two years (763 days) is a moderate-sized contract. GSA awards numerous contracts in this category, ranging from small, task-order-level awards to multi-year, multi-million dollar IDIQ vehicles. To benchmark this specific award, one would need to compare it against contracts with similar scopes of work, durations, and labor categories. Without more granular data on the specific services rendered and the labor mix, a precise comparison is difficult, but it represents a typical investment for specialized consulting support within a federal agency.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate The Clearing, Inc.'s performance?

The provided summary data does not include information on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or specific metrics for evaluating The Clearing, Inc.'s performance. Contracts of this nature typically include a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines measurable objectives, deliverables, and quality standards. Performance is often assessed through regular reviews, client feedback, and the timely and successful completion of assigned tasks and milestones. The absence of this information in the summary data means a detailed performance risk assessment cannot be made.

What is The Clearing, Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly with GSA?

The Clearing, Inc. has a history of receiving federal contracts. As a recipient of this delivery order from GSA, it indicates prior engagement or successful bidding processes with the agency. A comprehensive track record analysis would involve reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, including contract values, types of services provided, past performance ratings, and any history of contract disputes or awards. Without access to a detailed contract history database, it's difficult to provide a full assessment, but securing this award suggests a level of established capability and past success.

What is the potential impact of this contract on federal workforce morale or efficiency?

Contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services are often aimed at improving agency efficiency and effectiveness. If The Clearing, Inc. successfully implements strategies that streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, or enhance decision-making, it could positively impact federal workforce morale by reducing frustration and improving job satisfaction. Conversely, poorly managed consulting engagements or recommendations that are perceived as disruptive or unhelpful could negatively affect morale. The ultimate impact depends heavily on the quality of the contractor's work and how well their recommendations are integrated into agency operations.

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: 47QPCA23Q0005

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1250 CONNECTICUT AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,629,683

Exercised Options: $5,629,683

Current Obligation: $5,629,683

Actual Outlays: $4,467,758

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0065X

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline