DHS awards $17.3M for Risk Map program management, with Accenture Federal Services as contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,305,674 ($17.3M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2008-12-30

End Date: 2011-05-16

Contract Duration: 867 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THE OVERALL GOALS OF THE RISK MAP PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $17.3 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THE OVERALL GOALS OF THE RISK MAP PROGRAM. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential program management for the Risk Map initiative. 2. Accenture Federal Services, a large established contractor, holds this award. 3. The contract duration of 867 days suggests a significant, ongoing need for services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) allows for performance-based incentives. 6. This task order supports the Department of Homeland Security's broader risk management goals.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $17.3 million over approximately 2.4 years represents a substantial investment in program management. Benchmarking this against similar program management contracts within DHS or FEMA is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure suggests an intent to incentivize performance and achieve value for money, provided the award fees are tied to meaningful outcomes. The contract's duration and value indicate a significant need for these services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of four bidders (no=4) indicates a competitive environment, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would further illuminate the effectiveness of this competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Homeland Security, specifically the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through enhanced program management for the Risk Map program. The services delivered are program management, crucial for the successful execution and oversight of the Risk Map initiative. The geographic impact is national, as the Risk Map program likely addresses risks across the United States. Workforce implications may include the need for skilled program managers and analysts within the contractor organization and potentially within FEMA to oversee the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed and if award criteria are not sufficiently stringent.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the program management services.
The long contract duration could potentially lead to vendor lock-in or reduced agility if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
The CPAF structure incentivizes contractor performance, potentially leading to better outcomes.
The contract supports a critical national security program (Risk Map) within DHS/FEMA.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and support services. The market for program management services is extensive, with numerous large and small businesses capable of providing these capabilities. Federal spending in this area is significant, supporting various government functions from IT management to operational support. This contract represents a portion of that broader spending aimed at ensuring effective program execution within a critical agency.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss=false, sb=false) and was awarded to a large business (Accenture Federal Services LLC). There is no direct information on subcontracting plans. Therefore, the immediate impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not specified here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracting officer and program officials. Accountability measures are embedded within the Cost Plus Award Fee structure, which links a portion of the payment to performance. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific oversight reports or IG involvement are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

FEMA Risk Management Programs
Homeland Security Program Management
Federal Administrative Services Contracts
Disaster Preparedness and Response Support

Risk Flags

Contract Type Risk (CPAF)
Performance Measurement Clarity
Potential for Cost Overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $17.3 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES THAT SUPPORT THE OVERALL GOALS OF THE RISK MAP PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-12-30. End: 2011-05-16.

What is the historical spending trend for program management services related to the Risk Map program within FEMA?

Analyzing historical spending requires access to detailed contract databases beyond the provided data. However, the current award of $17.3 million suggests a significant and sustained investment in managing the Risk Map program. To understand trends, one would need to examine prior contracts for similar services, identify any increases or decreases in funding, and correlate these with changes in program scope, objectives, or national risk assessments. Without this historical data, it's difficult to ascertain if current spending represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment compared to previous periods.

How does the per-unit cost of these program management services compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining a precise per-unit cost is challenging without knowing the specific units of service being measured (e.g., per report, per meeting, per analyst hour). The contract type (Cost Plus Award Fee) also complicates direct per-unit cost comparisons, as the final cost is influenced by performance incentives. However, the total contract value of $17.3 million spread over approximately 867 days (around $19,954 per day) can serve as a very broad benchmark. Industry benchmarks for program management consulting vary widely based on complexity, required expertise, and location. A more accurate assessment would require comparing the contractor's labor rates and overhead structure against market data for similar roles and services within the federal contracting space.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to determine the 'award fee' for Accenture Federal Services?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or award criteria for this Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract are not detailed in the provided summary data. Typically, for CPAF contracts, these KPIs are outlined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Objectives (SOO). They are designed to measure the contractor's success in meeting or exceeding contract requirements. For a program management contract like this, KPIs could include metrics related to schedule adherence, budget management, quality of deliverables, stakeholder satisfaction, risk mitigation effectiveness, and timely reporting. The government assesses performance against these criteria to determine the amount of award fee earned.

What is Accenture Federal Services' track record with similar program management contracts for DHS or FEMA?

Accenture Federal Services LLC has a significant track record as a large government contractor, including work with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components like FEMA. While specific details on their performance for the 'Risk Map' program prior to this task order are not provided, Accenture generally holds numerous contracts across various federal agencies involving program management, IT services, and consulting. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), other relevant contract awards, and any publicly available information regarding their success or challenges in delivering similar services to federal clients.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'Cost Plus Award Fee' (CPAF) contract type for this program?

The primary risk with a CPAF contract is that costs can potentially escalate beyond initial estimates if the award fee criteria are not sufficiently stringent or if the government's oversight is inadequate. While CPAF aims to incentivize performance by allowing for higher profits based on exceeding expectations, it can also lead to a less predictable final cost compared to fixed-price contracts. There's a risk that the contractor might focus on achieving award fee targets that don't necessarily align with the most critical program needs or cost-efficiency. Effective management requires clear, measurable performance standards and diligent oversight from the government to ensure value for money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Accenture Public Limited Company (UEI: 985015354)

Address: 11951 FREEDOM DR, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $27,138,661

Exercised Options: $27,138,661

Current Obligation: $17,305,674

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 15

Total Subaward Amount: $8,882,035

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSFEHQ09D0156

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline