DoD's $16.5M contract for administrative management consulting services awarded to Bowhead Government Support Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,526,230 ($16.5M)

Contractor: Bowhead Government Support Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-09

End Date: 2026-07-08

Contract Duration: 1,886 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LABOR TASKS 3.1, 4.0, 5.0, 7.0--9.0

Place of Performance

Location: QUANTICO, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22134

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.5 million to BOWHEAD GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES LLC for work described as: LABOR TASKS 3.1, 4.0, 5.0, 7.0--9.0 Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a non-competitive basis, raising questions about potential cost savings and market competitiveness. 2. The contract duration of over five years suggests a long-term need for these consulting services. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type indicates a defined scope and cost, but the lack of competition may limit price negotiation. 4. Services encompass a broad range of administrative and general management consulting tasks. 5. The contract's value of $16.5M over its term requires careful monitoring for performance and value. 6. Awarded by the Department of the Navy, indicating a specific need within naval operations or administration.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $16.5 million over approximately five years for administrative management consulting services is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or similar contracts. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the absence of competition means potential savings from a competitive bidding process were likely forgone. Further analysis would be needed to determine if the awarded price represents fair market value in the absence of competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when only one responsible source is available or when a compelling justification for other than full and open competition exists. The lack of multiple bidders means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery and innovation that typically arises from a competitive procurement process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive pressure to drive down costs. The government's ability to secure the best possible value is diminished without exploring multiple vendor offerings.

Public Impact

The Department of the Navy benefits from specialized administrative and general management consulting services to support its operations. The contract supports various labor tasks, likely contributing to improved efficiency and effectiveness in administrative functions. The primary geographic impact is within the Department of the Navy's operational areas, potentially across various naval installations. The contract supports the workforce by engaging a contractor to provide essential management consulting expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Sole-source award limits opportunities for other capable small or large businesses.
Long contract duration without competition raises concerns about sustained value for money.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established entity suggests potential for reliable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) is a broad sector encompassing firms that provide expertise in organizational efficiency, strategic planning, and operational improvements. The market is competitive, with numerous firms ranging from large consultancies to specialized boutique firms. This contract fits within the sector by procuring essential management support for a major government agency. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific scope of services, but government spending on management consulting is significant across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. The award was made to Bowhead Government Support Services LLC. Without specific subcontracting plans detailed in the award data, it's unclear what impact this contract will have on the small business ecosystem, beyond potentially excluding them from direct award opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver defined services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, making public scrutiny of the procurement process challenging. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Management Consulting Services
Naval Administrative Support Contracts
Government Management and Consulting Services
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing
Limited Market Exploration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.5 million to BOWHEAD GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES LLC. LABOR TASKS 3.1, 4.0, 5.0, 7.0--9.0

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BOWHEAD GOVERNMENT SUPPORT SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-09. End: 2026-07-08.

What specific administrative and general management consulting tasks are covered under this contract?

The provided data indicates that the contract covers 'LABOR TASKS 3.1, 4.0, 5.0, 7.0--9.0'. While the specific titles for these labor task numbers are not detailed in the summary data, they generally fall under the umbrella of administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611). These tasks could encompass a wide range of activities such as organizational analysis, process improvement, strategic planning support, human capital management consulting, financial management consulting, and other operational support functions essential for the effective functioning of a large government agency like the Department of the Navy. The broad nature of these task areas suggests a comprehensive scope of support.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data explicitly states the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The justification for such an award is not provided in the summary data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is capable of providing the required services, or when there is a compelling urgency, or when it is in the best interest of the government to do so, often due to unique capabilities or proprietary knowledge. Without the specific justification document, the precise reasons remain unknown, but it implies that a competitive process was deemed either impractical or impossible for this particular requirement.

How does the firm fixed-price contract type impact value for money in a sole-source scenario?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type aims to provide cost certainty by establishing a set price for the defined scope of work. In a sole-source scenario, this means the government agrees to pay a specific amount to the single awarded contractor. While FFP shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor and simplifies administration, the absence of competition in a sole-source award means the government cannot leverage competitive bidding to ensure this fixed price represents the best possible value. The government must still perform due diligence to ensure the price is fair and reasonable, but the lack of alternative bids limits its negotiating leverage and the potential for achieving significant cost savings that a competitive process might yield.

What is the significance of the contract duration (1886 days)?

The contract duration of 1886 days, approximately 5.16 years, is significant as it indicates a long-term need for the administrative and general management consulting services provided by Bowhead Government Support Services LLC. Such a lengthy period suggests that these services are integral to the ongoing operations or strategic initiatives of the Department of the Navy. Long-term contracts can offer stability for both the government and the contractor, potentially leading to deeper expertise and more efficient service delivery over time. However, it also means that the government is committed to this specific provider for an extended period, reinforcing the importance of effective oversight and performance management to ensure continued value.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude?

A sole-source award of $16.5 million carries several potential risks. Firstly, the lack of competition may result in a higher price than could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process, representing a potential loss of taxpayer funds. Secondly, without market validation, there's a risk that the contractor's proposed solution or pricing is not as efficient or cost-effective as alternatives that might have emerged from a competition. Thirdly, sole-source awards can stifle innovation by limiting opportunities for other companies to bring new approaches or technologies to the government. Finally, there's a risk of contractor complacency over the long contract term, potentially impacting service quality if not managed proactively.

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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: M6785421R0501

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6564 LOISDALE CT STE 900, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,526,230

Exercised Options: $16,526,230

Current Obligation: $16,526,230

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $1,086,803

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline