State Department Awards $25.8M for 2011 APEC Meeting Support Services to Hargrove, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $25,799,919 ($25.8M)
Contractor: Hargrove, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2010-12-22
End Date: 2012-02-13
Contract Duration: 418 days
Daily Burn Rate: $61.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS ORDER IS FOR THE STAGING AND SET-UP OF THE 2011 ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) MEETINGS BEING HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC; BIG SKY, MONTANA; SAN FRANCISCO, CA; AND HONOLULU, HI.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20522
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $25.8 million to HARGROVE, LLC for work described as: THIS ORDER IS FOR THE STAGING AND SET-UP OF THE 2011 ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) MEETINGS BEING HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC; BIG SKY, MONTANA; SAN FRANCISCO, CA; AND HONOLULU, HI. Key points: 1. Significant contract value for event support services. 2. Hargrove, LLC, a single awardee, suggests potential for specialized expertise. 3. Contract duration of 418 days covers multiple meeting locations. 4. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $25.8 million for event staging and set-up appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar large-scale event support contracts would be necessary to definitively assess its value.
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,' which is an unusual designation. Clarification is needed on why sources were excluded and how this impacted price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The substantial award amount represents taxpayer funds allocated for international diplomatic events.
Public Impact
Supports critical diplomatic engagements for the US. Ensures logistical success for high-profile international meetings. Impacts local economies in Washington D.C., Montana, California, and Hawaii through event execution.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Unclear competition rationale ('Exclusion of Sources')
- Lack of small business participation noted
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract
- Supports important diplomatic events
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under support services for large-scale events, often requiring specialized logistics and staging. The value is significant for this niche, especially given the multiple locations and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Further investigation may be warranted to understand if opportunities were missed or if the nature of the work precluded small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of State is responsible for overseeing this contract. The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition method warrants closer scrutiny for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Support Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Unusual competition clause ('Exclusion of Sources')
- No small business participation
- High contract value requires strong justification and oversight
- Potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly
Tags
all-other-support-services, department-of-state, dc, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $25.8 million to HARGROVE, LLC. THIS ORDER IS FOR THE STAGING AND SET-UP OF THE 2011 ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) MEETINGS BEING HELD IN WASHINGTON, DC; BIG SKY, MONTANA; SAN FRANCISCO, CA; AND HONOLULU, HI.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HARGROVE, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $25.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-12-22. End: 2012-02-13.
What specific services are included in 'staging and set-up' for these APEC meetings, and how does the $25.8 million cost align with industry standards for such comprehensive support?
The 'staging and set-up' likely encompasses a wide range of logistical and technical services, including venue preparation, audiovisual equipment, temporary structures, and on-site coordination for multiple international delegations. Without a detailed breakdown of services and comparison data for similar high-profile, multi-location events, it is difficult to definitively assess if the $25.8 million cost is aligned with industry standards. Benchmarking against past large-scale government event contracts or private sector equivalents would be crucial.
What was the justification for 'Exclusion of Sources' in the full and open competition, and what impact did this have on the final price and vendor selection?
The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause is unusual for full and open competition and suggests that certain potential vendors were deliberately not considered. The justification for this exclusion is critical. It could be due to specialized capabilities, security requirements, or prior relationships. Understanding this rationale is key to assessing whether it limited competition unfairly and potentially inflated the price, or if it was a necessary measure for successful contract execution.
Given the significant contract value and the lack of small business participation, what measures are in place to ensure effective oversight and accountability for the delivery of services and taxpayer
Effective oversight for a contract of this magnitude and nature typically involves rigorous performance monitoring, regular progress reports, and clear deliverables tied to payment. The Department of State, as the contracting agency, is responsible for ensuring these mechanisms are robust. The absence of small business involvement might indicate a need for proactive outreach in future solicitations or a review of contract requirements to identify potential set-aside opportunities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 HARGROVE DR, LANHAM, MD, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,799,919
Exercised Options: $25,799,919
Current Obligation: $25,799,919
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-12-22
Current End Date: 2012-02-13
Potential End Date: 2012-02-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-02-17
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