State Dept. awards $35.3M for Southern Sudan advisory services, no competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,271,452 ($35.3M)
Contractor: Usis International, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2008-04-18
End Date: 2012-11-07
Contract Duration: 1,664 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SOUTHERN SUDAN TRANSFORMATION-TRAINING AND ADVISORY TEAM
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $35.3 million to USIS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: SOUTHERN SUDAN TRANSFORMATION-TRAINING AND ADVISORY TEAM Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized consulting services. 2. Lack of competition raises concerns about price discovery. 3. Long contract duration (4 years) may indicate ongoing need. 4. Services fall under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $35.3M over four years for specialized consulting is substantial. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no market pressure to offer the best price.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition on a $35.3M contract means taxpayers may have overpaid due to the absence of a competitive bidding process.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid more than necessary due to the sole-source award. The long duration suggests a critical need for these services in Southern Sudan. Transparency in the justification for sole-source awards is crucial for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Services provided to support critical foreign policy objectives
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional services, specifically scientific and technical consulting. The benchmark for such services varies widely based on specialization and duration, but the lack of competition here is a key factor.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to confirm.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny. Oversight should focus on the justification for not competing the contract and ensuring the services delivered align with the stated objectives.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Long contract duration
- Limited transparency on justification
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-state, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $35.3 million to USIS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. SOUTHERN SUDAN TRANSFORMATION-TRAINING AND ADVISORY TEAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is USIS INTERNATIONAL, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $35.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-04-18. End: 2012-11-07.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or situations where only one source can fulfill the requirement. For this contract, the specific rationale from the Department of State would need to be reviewed to understand why competition was deemed impractical or impossible.
How was the performance of USIS INTERNATIONAL, INC. evaluated during the contract period?
Performance evaluation details are crucial for assessing value. Without access to performance reports, it's difficult to determine if the contractor met expectations, delivered quality services, and justified the $35.3M expenditure. Post-award reviews and contract close-out documentation would be the primary sources for this information.
What was the ultimate impact of the 'SOUTHERN SUDAN TRANSFORMATION-TRAINING AND ADVISORY TEAM' services on the ground?
The effectiveness of the services is paramount. Understanding the tangible outcomes and contributions of the training and advisory team to transformation efforts in Southern Sudan is essential to gauge the true value of this significant investment. Metrics related to program goals and impact assessments would be needed.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: PAE Professional Services, LLC (UEI: 159836121)
Address: 7799 LEESBURG PIKE, STE 400 S, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22043
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $35,271,452
Exercised Options: $35,271,452
Current Obligation: $35,271,452
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-04-18
Current End Date: 2012-11-07
Potential End Date: 2012-11-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-10-15
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