DFC awards $271K for Overseas and Relocation Analyst services to Karen E Kraft

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $271,593 ($271.6K)

Contractor: Karen E Kraft

Awarding Agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation

Start Date: 2024-08-22

End Date: 2026-10-20

Contract Duration: 789 days

Daily Burn Rate: $344/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OVERSEAS AND RELOCATION ANALYST PSC - KAREN KRAFT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20527

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation obligated $271,592.78 to KAREN E KRAFT for work described as: OVERSEAS AND RELOCATION ANALYST PSC - KAREN KRAFT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is a Definitive Contract, indicating a single award with a defined scope. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 4. The contract duration is approximately 2.6 years, providing a stable period for services. 5. The contractor, Karen E Kraft, is a single individual, raising questions about scalability and depth of expertise. 6. The service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, a broad area. 7. The contract is geographically focused on Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the specific nature of the services and the single individual contractor. Without comparable contracts for similar specialized relocation analysis performed by individuals, it's difficult to assess if the $271,592.78 over approximately 2.6 years represents a fair market price. The firm-fixed-price structure is positive for budget certainty, but the lack of transparency on how the price was determined makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, with 11 bids received. This indicates a robust bidding environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing for the government. The high number of bidders suggests that the requirement was well-publicized and accessible to a wide range of potential contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives services at a fair market value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which will receive specialized analytical support. Services delivered will likely focus on facilitating the relocation of personnel and potentially assets for the DFC. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the contractor is based and likely where the primary oversight and coordination will occur. Workforce implications are minimal, as the contract is with an individual, not a large firm, suggesting no significant job creation or displacement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Reliance on a single individual for critical administrative and relocation analysis may pose a risk if the individual becomes unavailable.
The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.
Limited information is available on the specific expertise of Karen E Kraft in overseas and relocation analysis.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition with 11 bids, indicating a potentially competitive price.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the agency.
The contract duration of over two years offers stability for the DFC's planning needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The market for administrative and management consulting services is vast and highly competitive, with numerous firms and individual consultants offering a wide range of expertise. The DFC's spending in this area is likely driven by the need for specialized support in areas such as international operations, personnel management, and logistical planning, which are critical for a development finance agency operating globally.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to be a small business set-aside, as the awardee is an individual. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements, and therefore, no direct impact on the small business ecosystem is apparent from this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would typically fall under the purview of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation's contracting and program management officials. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited by the nature of individual contract awards, but the contract details are publicly available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Management and Consulting Services
Relocation Services
Administrative Support Services
Federal Employee Relocation Programs

Risk Flags

Reliance on single individual contractor
Potential for limited scalability
Lack of detailed performance history for individual

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation awarded $271,592.78 to KAREN E KRAFT. OVERSEAS AND RELOCATION ANALYST PSC - KAREN KRAFT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KAREN E KRAFT.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (U.S. International Development Finance Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $271,592.78.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-22. End: 2026-10-20.

What is the specific expertise and track record of Karen E Kraft in overseas and relocation analysis?

Information regarding the specific expertise and track record of Karen E Kraft as an individual contractor is not readily available in the provided data. Federal procurement databases typically focus on contract awards rather than detailed contractor resumes or performance histories for individual consultants. To assess this, one would need to consult specialized professional networks, past performance reviews if available through agency channels, or request further information from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The nature of the award, a definitive contract for administrative management and general management consulting services, suggests a need for analytical and advisory support related to overseas operations and relocations, but the depth and breadth of Kraft's experience in these niche areas remain unconfirmed without further investigation.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar contracts for relocation analysis services?

Direct comparison of the awarded amount ($271,592.78 over approximately 2.6 years) to similar contracts for specialized overseas and relocation analysis is difficult without access to a broader dataset of comparable government contracts. The market for such niche consulting services, especially when provided by an individual, can vary significantly based on the specific requirements, duration, and geographic scope. Factors like the complexity of the relocation policies, the number of personnel involved, and the level of analytical rigor required would influence pricing. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, the DFC likely sought a predictable cost. However, without benchmark data on per-diem rates for similar consultants or project-based pricing for comparable relocation studies, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents optimal value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with contracting with an individual for these services?

Contracting with an individual, such as Karen E Kraft, for overseas and relocation analysis presents several potential risks. The primary concern is continuity of service; if the individual becomes ill, leaves the contract, or is otherwise unavailable, the DFC may face significant disruption. Scalability is another issue; an individual consultant may have limitations in handling large volumes of work or complex, multi-faceted projects that might require a team. Furthermore, the depth of expertise might be narrower compared to a firm with diverse specialists. While the firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk, the risk of performance failure or inadequate service delivery due to the limitations of a single individual remains a concern that requires diligent oversight from the DFC.

What is the historical spending pattern of the DFC for similar administrative and relocation consulting services?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for similar administrative and relocation consulting services would require access to comprehensive federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. This specific award of $271,592.78 is for a definitive contract with an individual consultant. To understand the DFC's broader spending, one would need to examine trends in contract awards for management consulting, relocation assistance, and international operations support. This would involve looking at the number of contracts awarded, the total dollar amounts obligated, the types of contracts used (e.g., IDIQs, task orders, sole-source), and the primary service providers (firms vs. individuals). Without this historical context, it's difficult to determine if this current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for such services.

How does the 'full and open competition' with 11 bidders translate into potential cost savings or better service quality for the DFC?

The fact that this contract was awarded under 'full and open competition' with 11 bidders is a strong positive indicator for the DFC. A larger pool of bidders generally fosters a more competitive environment, which tends to drive down prices as contractors vie for the award. This increased competition can lead to cost savings for the government compared to sole-source or limited-competition scenarios. Beyond price, a wider selection of bidders may also increase the likelihood of finding a contractor with the most suitable qualifications and innovative approaches, potentially leading to higher quality services. The DFC benefits from having a broader range of options to choose from, increasing the probability of selecting the best value proposal.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 77344423Q0049

Offers Received: 11

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 915 1ST ST, GLENWOOD CITY, WI, 54013

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $554,773

Exercised Options: $271,593

Current Obligation: $271,593

Actual Outlays: $160,824

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline