Smithsonian Institution awards $7.88M contract to Technology Trends Group for Other Management Consulting Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,878,307 ($7.9M)

Contractor: Technology Trends Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Smithsonian Institution

Start Date: 2014-09-24

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 4,206 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF VOICECOM.

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20013

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Smithsonian Institution obligated $7.9 million to TECHNOLOGY TRENDS GROUP, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF VOICECOM. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Technology Trends Group, LLC. 2. Service type: Other Management Consulting Services. 3. Contract duration is 4206 days, ending March 31, 2026. 4. Award type is Delivery Order under a larger contract. 5. The contract value is $7,878,306.66.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7.88M over approximately 11.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar management consulting contracts would be necessary to fully assess pricing, but the long duration may indicate a need for sustained services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates a competitive process was used, which generally supports price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary consulting services.

Public Impact

Public access to Smithsonian Institution services may be indirectly supported by efficient management consulting. Transparency in government contracting allows public scrutiny of spending. Long-term contracts can provide stability but require ongoing monitoring for continued necessity and value.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (4206 days) may lead to scope creep or outdated services.
Lack of specific service details makes it hard to assess true value.
Potential for vendor lock-in over the extended period.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust procurement process.
Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Delivery Order structure allows for phased execution and payment.

Sector Analysis

Management consulting services are crucial for optimizing operations across various sectors. The Smithsonian Institution, as a cultural and scientific entity, likely utilizes these services for strategic planning, operational efficiency, and program management. Benchmarks for such services vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this specific delivery order or the parent contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Smithsonian Institution is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight mechanisms, including performance reviews and payment verification, should be in place to ensure contractor performance and accountability.

Related Government Programs

Other Management Consulting Services
Smithsonian Institution Contracting
Smithsonian Institution Programs

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to obsolescence or reduced value.
Lack of detailed service description hinders full assessment.
Potential for vendor lock-in over an extended period.
Need for ongoing active oversight to ensure continued relevance and value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Smithsonian Institution awarded $7.9 million to TECHNOLOGY TRENDS GROUP, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF VOICECOM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHNOLOGY TRENDS GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian Institution).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-09-24. End: 2026-03-31.

What specific management consulting services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with the Smithsonian's strategic goals?

The provided data categorizes the service as 'Other Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541618). Without further details, it's impossible to specify the exact services. These could range from strategic planning and organizational development to financial management or IT consulting. Alignment with strategic goals would depend on the specific tasks outlined in the Statement of Work, which is not included here.

Given the 4206-day duration, what mechanisms are in place to ensure the continued relevance and cost-effectiveness of the services provided?

The long duration necessitates robust oversight. Mechanisms likely include regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and potential contract modifications if needs change. The Firm Fixed Price structure provides cost certainty, but the agency must actively manage the contract to ensure the services remain relevant and deliver value throughout its term.

How was the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' process structured, and did it effectively drive competitive pricing for these consulting services?

This award type suggests that while full and open competition was intended, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria (e.g., past performance, specific capabilities). The effectiveness in driving competitive pricing depends on the number of qualified bidders that remained and the specific evaluation criteria used. A competitive process generally aids price discovery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2121 NORTH 15TH ST SUITE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,878,307

Exercised Options: $7,878,307

Current Obligation: $7,878,307

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: F14CC10490

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline