USAID's Global Health Bureau contract for administrative support awarded to IT SHOWS, INC. for over $34M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,236,656 ($34.2M)

Contractor: IT Shows, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2009-09-23

End Date: 2012-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,102 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.1K/day

Competition Type: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR USAID BUREAU OF GLOBAL HEALTH

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $34.2 million to IT SHOWS, INC. for work described as: ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR USAID BUREAU OF GLOBAL HEALTH Key points: 1. The contract's value of over $34 million for administrative and logistical support suggests a significant need for these services within USAID's Bureau of Global Health. 2. The 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' designation indicates this is not a new award but a continuation, potentially offering insights into past performance and pricing. 3. The use of a 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type can introduce cost uncertainty if not carefully managed, requiring robust oversight. 4. The primary service category, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services,' is broad and could encompass a wide range of support functions. 5. The contract duration of 1102 days (approximately 3 years) indicates a long-term commitment to the awarded vendor. 6. The award was made by the Department of the Interior, acting as the contracting agency for USAID's Bureau of Global Health.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific details on the scope of administrative and logistical support provided. The $34.2 million award over approximately three years averages to roughly $11.4 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against similar contracts for administrative support within large federal agencies or specifically within global health initiatives. The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not managed with strict controls on labor hours and rates. Without more granular data on the specific services rendered and the labor categories involved, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract is designated as a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION,' implying that the original award was subject to full and open competition. This suggests that multiple bidders likely had the opportunity to compete for the contract. The fact that it is a follow-on action indicates that the initial competition was deemed successful, and the incumbent contractor, IT SHOWS, INC., was selected. The level of competition for the original award would have influenced price discovery and the government's ability to secure favorable terms.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed contract generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards. The follow-on nature suggests that the initial competition was robust enough to establish a competitive baseline for this service.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include USAID's Bureau of Global Health staff, who receive essential administrative and logistical support to carry out their mission. Services delivered encompass a range of administrative management and general management consulting, crucial for the efficient operation of a large bureau. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Department of the Interior and USAID are headquartered, affecting federal operations. Workforce implications include the potential for IT SHOWS, INC. to employ administrative and management professionals to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns if not closely monitored for labor hours and rates.
The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could lead to scope creep if not clearly defined and managed.
As a follow-on to a competed action, the specific performance metrics and challenges of the previous contract period are not detailed here, limiting a full risk assessment.

Positive Signals

The contract being a 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' suggests a degree of proven performance and successful execution under the previous award.
The award to a single entity, IT SHOWS, INC., implies a focused relationship and potential for specialized expertise in supporting USAID's Bureau of Global Health.
The contract's duration of over three years indicates stability and a commitment from the agency, suggesting satisfaction with the vendor's services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This is a large and diverse sector within federal procurement, supporting a wide array of government functions. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for administrative support services across various federal agencies, particularly those with similar global or programmatic missions. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in management consulting and administrative operations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically related to small business set-asides for this particular award. The primary contractor, IT SHOWS, INC., would be responsible for fulfilling the contract requirements. Any subcontracting would be at their discretion, unless specific clauses were included in the original solicitation or contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the contract administration team within the Department of the Interior, who awarded the contract on behalf of USAID. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract arise.

Related Government Programs

USAID Bureau for Global Health Operations Support
Federal Administrative Support Services
Management and Consulting Services Contracts
Department of the Interior Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Broad scope of services may lead to undefined requirements or scope creep.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data hinders detailed assessment.
Contracting through another agency (DOI for USAID) may introduce layers of communication or process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $34.2 million to IT SHOWS, INC.. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR USAID BUREAU OF GLOBAL HEALTH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IT SHOWS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-23. End: 2012-09-29.

What specific administrative and logistical tasks were performed under this contract for USAID's Bureau of Global Health?

The contract, awarded to IT SHOWS, INC., was for 'ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT FOR USAID BUREAU OF GLOBAL HEALTH.' While the specific tasks are not detailed in the provided data, this category typically includes services such as personnel support, financial management assistance, travel coordination, meeting and event planning, records management, procurement support, and general office administration. For a bureau focused on global health, this support is critical for enabling program managers and technical staff to effectively implement health initiatives worldwide. The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type suggests that the scope might have been flexible, adapting to evolving needs within the bureau, but also necessitates careful tracking of labor hours and direct costs.

How does the $34.2 million contract value compare to similar administrative support contracts within USAID or other federal agencies?

Comparing the $34.2 million contract value requires context regarding the duration and scope of services. This contract spanned approximately three years (1102 days), averaging over $11 million annually. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze other contracts for comprehensive administrative and logistical support within large federal agencies, particularly those with international operations or complex programmatic mandates like USAID. For instance, contracts supporting other USAID bureaus, or similar support functions within agencies like the State Department or Department of Defense, could serve as comparators. The 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code (541611) is broad, so comparisons should ideally focus on contracts with similar service descriptions and scale to ensure a meaningful assessment of value for money.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type for this administrative support service?

The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' (T&M) contract type, used for this award, presents specific risks, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee or profit. The primary risk is that the total cost can exceed initial estimates if the effort required is greater than anticipated or if labor hours are not diligently managed. For administrative and logistical support, this could manifest as extended task durations, unexpected complexities in service delivery, or inefficient use of personnel time. Robust government oversight, including detailed monitoring of timesheets, validation of labor categories and rates, and clear task definitions, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure that the government pays a fair price for the work performed.

What does the 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' designation imply about the contractor's performance and the competition process?

The 'FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION' designation signifies that the original contract award was the result of a competitive bidding process, likely under full and open competition. This implies that multiple vendors had the opportunity to submit proposals, and the government selected the best value offer. As a 'follow-on,' it suggests that the current contract is a continuation or extension of that initial competitive award. This designation generally indicates that the contractor, IT SHOWS, INC., has a track record of performance under the previous contract, as the agency chose to continue the relationship. It also implies that the initial competition was successful in establishing a baseline for pricing and service delivery, which likely informed the terms of this subsequent action.

What is the significance of the Department of the Interior acting as the contracting agency for USAID?

The Department of the Interior (DOI) acting as the contracting agency for USAID (United States Agency for International Development) is a common practice known as 'contracting out' or shared services. Larger agencies like DOI often have established procurement and contracting offices with specialized expertise and resources. By leveraging DOI's contracting capabilities, USAID can streamline its procurement processes, potentially achieve better pricing through established contract vehicles, and focus its internal resources on program management rather than contract administration. This arrangement allows USAID to access necessary support services efficiently, while DOI utilizes its procurement infrastructure to support other federal entities. The contract itself is still for USAID's benefit and program needs.

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) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FOLLOW ON TO COMPETED ACTION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1655 N FORT MYER DR STE 700, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,465,867

Exercised Options: $42,726,015

Current Obligation: $34,236,656

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Timeline