Agriculture Department awards $3.47M contract for organizational assessments and process improvements to MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,472,107 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Minelight Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2017-09-29

End Date: 2022-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENTS AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $3.5 million to MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENTS AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS Key points: 1. Contract value of $3.47M over five years suggests a significant investment in administrative efficiency. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The duration of 1825 days (5 years) allows for sustained support and implementation of improvements. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to a focus on management consulting services. 6. The award was a single delivery order, suggesting a specific project or phase within a larger framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.47M over five years averages to approximately $694,421 per year. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services is challenging without more specific details on the scope of work. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some assurance against escalating costs. The number of bids received and the specific services rendered would be crucial for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' which typically means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data does not specify the number of bids received, which is a key indicator of the level of competition. A high number of bids generally suggests robust competition, potentially leading to better pricing and service offerings for the government. Conversely, a low number of bids might indicate limited interest or specialized requirements.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it aims to foster a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the Department of Agriculture, which will receive improved organizational processes and administrative efficiencies. The services delivered focus on organizational assessments and process improvements, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the agency's operations. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of Agriculture, with potential ripple effects on its operational efficiency across its various programs. Workforce implications may include changes to administrative procedures and potentially enhanced productivity for employees involved in assessed processes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the scope of work makes it difficult to fully assess the value for money.
The number of bids received is not provided, hindering a complete understanding of the competitive landscape.
The specific performance metrics and deliverables are not detailed, making it hard to gauge the success of the awarded services.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a broad search for qualified contractors.
The contract is a firm fixed-price type, which helps control costs for the government.
The contract duration of five years allows for sustained effort in implementing improvements.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the management consulting services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and general management. This sector is crucial for government agencies seeking to optimize operations, improve efficiency, and adapt to evolving needs. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in process improvement, organizational design, and strategic planning. The value of this contract, $3.47M over five years, is moderate within the broader federal consulting landscape, which sees contracts ranging from small, specialized engagements to large, multi-year programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses were likely not the primary target for this award. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or requirements, so the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. However, the absence of a small business set-aside suggests that larger, more established firms were likely the primary bidders.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) contracting officers and program managers. The Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General (OIG) would also have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract. Transparency is enhanced by the public availability of contract award data, but specific performance reporting and detailed oversight mechanisms are not detailed in this summary.

Related Government Programs

Department of Agriculture Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Management Consulting Services
Government Process Improvement Initiatives
Organizational Efficiency Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed scope of work
Missing number of bids received
Unspecified performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $3.5 million to MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC. IGF::OT::IGF ORGANIZATIONAL ASSESSMENTS AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-29. End: 2022-09-28.

What specific organizational assessments and process improvements were undertaken by MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific tasks or deliverables for MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC. The contract is broadly categorized under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611). Typically, such contracts involve analyzing existing organizational structures, workflows, and administrative procedures to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. Recommendations might include streamlining processes, implementing new technologies, reorganizing departments, or developing better performance metrics. Without access to the contract statement of work (SOW) or performance reports, the precise nature of the improvements remains unspecified.

How does the $3.47M contract value compare to similar federal contracts for management consulting services?

Benchmarking the $3.47M contract value requires comparing it to similar contracts awarded by federal agencies for administrative and general management consulting. The contract's duration of five years means an average annual value of approximately $694,421. This figure falls within a moderate range for federal consulting engagements. Larger, more complex transformation projects or agency-wide strategic initiatives can easily exceed tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, more focused consulting tasks might be awarded for sums under $100,000. The specific scope, complexity, and duration are key factors in determining if $3.47M represents a high, low, or average value.

What is the track record of MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly in management consulting?

Information regarding MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC's specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their performance history, one would need to examine past contract awards, performance evaluations (such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. A thorough analysis would involve looking at the types of services they've provided, the agencies they've served, the contract values, and their completion history. Without this additional data, it's difficult to definitively evaluate their past performance reliability and expertise in delivering organizational assessment and process improvement services.

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

Potential risks include scope creep, where the project's objectives expand beyond the original agreement, leading to increased costs or delays. Another risk is the contractor's failure to deliver the promised improvements or achieve the desired outcomes. Mitigation strategies evident in the contract include the 'firm fixed price' (pt: FIRM FIXED PRICE) type, which caps the government's financial liability and incentivizes the contractor to manage costs efficiently. The 'full and open competition' (ct: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION) process aims to select a capable contractor. However, effective oversight by the agency, clear performance metrics in the SOW, and regular progress reviews are crucial for managing risks throughout the contract's five-year duration.

How does this contract align with the Agricultural Research Service's strategic goals for operational efficiency?

Contracts for organizational assessments and process improvements are generally aligned with strategic goals focused on enhancing operational efficiency, optimizing resource allocation, and improving service delivery. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS), like many government entities, likely prioritizes efficient operations to maximize the impact of its research and programs. By engaging MINELIGHT SOLUTIONS LLC, ARS signals an intent to review and potentially modernize its administrative functions and internal processes. The success of this alignment hinges on the contractor's ability to deliver actionable insights and implement effective changes that demonstrably improve ARS's efficiency and effectiveness in achieving its mission.

What is the historical spending pattern for administrative management and general management consulting services within the Department of Agriculture?

The provided data snippet focuses on a single contract and does not offer historical spending patterns for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) in the administrative management and general management consulting services category (NAICS 541611). To analyze historical spending, one would need access to broader federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov) to track total outlays for this NAICS code by the USDA over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends, identify major periods of investment, and potentially highlight key contractors or types of services frequently procured. Without this broader dataset, specific historical spending patterns cannot be determined from the given information.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 19775 BELMONT EXECUTIVE PLZ, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,472,107

Exercised Options: $3,472,107

Current Obligation: $3,472,107

Actual Outlays: $2,123,911

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0199V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline