State Department's $33M Camp Expansion contract awarded to PAE Government Services for marketing research

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $33,033,622 ($33.0M)

Contractor: PAE Government Services, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2007-06-19

End Date: 2012-10-02

Contract Duration: 1,932 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CAMP EXPANSION

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $33.0 million to PAE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC. for work described as: CAMP EXPANSION Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. No immediate risk indicators are apparent from the provided data. 4. Contract performance context is not detailed, limiting in-depth analysis. 5. This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically marketing research. 6. The contract was awarded under a firm-fixed-price structure, which transfers risk to the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $33 million over five years for marketing research services seems within a reasonable range for a government contract of this nature. Benchmarking against similar large-scale market research and public opinion polling contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor bears the financial risk for cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

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,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised and multiple bids were likely considered. This method generally promotes a competitive environment, allowing for price discovery and potentially leading to more favorable pricing for the government. The presence of multiple bidders would typically ensure a wider range of solutions and competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages a competitive marketplace, driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of State and its various programs requiring market intelligence and public opinion data. Services delivered include marketing research and public opinion polling, crucial for understanding stakeholder perceptions and informing policy. The geographic impact is likely global, supporting the State Department's international operations and diplomatic efforts. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized research and analytical skills within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type limits cost overrun risk for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process.
Contract duration of over five years allows for sustained support.
Awarded to a known entity (PAE Government Services) which may imply prior performance experience.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically within the market research and public opinion polling sub-sector (NAICS code 541910). This sector is characterized by a mix of large established firms and smaller specialized companies. Government spending in this area supports a wide range of agencies needing data-driven insights for policy, program evaluation, and public engagement. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large federal contracts for market research and polling services across different agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) was false, and there is no specific information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans. This suggests that the contract was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and larger prime contractors likely handled the majority of the work. Further investigation into subcontracting reports would be needed to determine the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of State. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific performance details may be sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Public Diplomacy Programs
Federal Market Research Contracts
Government Public Opinion Polling Services
International Relations Support Services

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may lead to price inflexibility.
Lack of detailed performance metrics limits risk assessment.
Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $33.0 million to PAE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC.. CAMP EXPANSION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PAE GOVERNMENT SERVICES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $33.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-06-19. End: 2012-10-02.

What is the historical spending pattern for marketing research and public opinion polling by the Department of State?

Analyzing historical spending for the Department of State in the marketing research and public opinion polling category (NAICS 541910) would reveal trends in investment for these services. This includes identifying the total annual expenditure, the number of contracts awarded, and the average contract value over several fiscal years. Understanding these patterns can help contextualize the $33 million 'Camp Expansion' contract, indicating whether it represents a significant increase or a typical level of investment. It also helps identify key contractors and the types of research projects most frequently funded, providing insights into the agency's evolving needs and priorities in gathering public and stakeholder feedback.

How does the awarded price compare to similar marketing research contracts for other federal agencies?

To benchmark the value of the $33 million 'Camp Expansion' contract, a comparison with similar marketing research and public opinion polling contracts awarded to other federal agencies is necessary. This involves identifying contracts with comparable scope, duration, and service requirements. Key metrics for comparison include the total contract value, the average annual cost, and the cost per deliverable or per survey respondent, if applicable. Significant deviations from market rates could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing. Factors such as the complexity of the research, the geographic scope, and the specific methodologies employed by the contractor must be considered to ensure a fair comparison.

What is PAE Government Services' track record with similar large-scale federal contracts?

Assessing PAE Government Services' track record with similar large-scale federal contracts is crucial for understanding their capability and reliability. This involves reviewing their past performance on contracts of comparable value, duration, and service type, particularly those involving marketing research, public opinion polling, or international affairs support. Key indicators include on-time delivery, adherence to budget, quality of deliverables, and any history of contract disputes, terminations, or performance issues. Examining past performance evaluations and any available contract close-out reports can provide insights into their operational strengths and weaknesses, helping to gauge the risk associated with this specific 'Camp Expansion' award.

What specific marketing research or public opinion polling activities does the 'Camp Expansion' contract encompass?

The 'Camp Expansion' contract, valued at $33 million and awarded to PAE Government Services by the Department of State, likely encompasses a broad range of market research and public opinion polling activities. While the specific details are not provided, such contracts typically involve designing and executing surveys, focus groups, interviews, and data analysis to gauge public sentiment, assess program effectiveness, or inform strategic communications. The 'Camp Expansion' moniker might suggest a focus on expanding the reach or depth of the State Department's research efforts, potentially in new regions or on emerging issues relevant to foreign policy and public diplomacy. Understanding the precise objectives and methodologies would clarify the scope and impact of the services.

What are the potential risks associated with a five-year firm-fixed-price contract for marketing research?

A five-year firm-fixed-price contract for marketing research, like the 'Camp Expansion' award, carries certain risks. For the government, the primary risk is that the fixed price might become uncompetitive over the contract's long duration if market rates decrease or the scope of work needs significant adjustment. If the contractor underperforms or fails to deliver quality research, the government is still obligated to pay the fixed price, although remedies exist. For the contractor, the risk lies in accurately estimating costs over five years; unforeseen increases in labor, technology, or data acquisition costs could erode profit margins. Additionally, maintaining consistent quality and relevance of research findings over such an extended period can be challenging.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: PAE Holding Corporation (UEI: 968071493)

Address: 888 S FIGUEROA ST STE 1760, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,033,622

Exercised Options: $33,033,622

Current Obligation: $33,033,622

Timeline