State Department's $131M consulting contract for technical services awarded to Michael Stapleton Associates, Ltd

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $131,061,601 ($131.1M)

Contractor: Michael Stapleton Associates, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2016-09-29

End Date: 2022-03-29

Contract Duration: 2,007 days

Daily Burn Rate: $65.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE CVC WILL PROVIDE EDCHC, EDCHC- TTT, TESTING AND VALIDATION, INITIAL COUNTRY ASSESSMENT, AND AD HOC TRAINING AS MIGHT BE REQUESTED. IGF::OT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WINCHESTER, FREDERICK County, VIRGINIA, 22601

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $131.1 million to MICHAEL STAPLETON ASSOCIATES, LTD. for work described as: THE CVC WILL PROVIDE EDCHC, EDCHC- TTT, TESTING AND VALIDATION, INITIAL COUNTRY ASSESSMENT, AND AD HOC TRAINING AS MIGHT BE REQUESTED. IGF::OT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract provides a broad range of scientific and technical consulting services, including testing, validation, and training. 2. The contract duration of 2007 days (approx. 5.5 years) suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed diligently. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 points to a specialized consulting niche. 6. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates close oversight to ensure cost-effectiveness. While the total award amount is substantial, its spread over more than five years may indicate reasonable annual expenditures. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the market rates for these specialized consulting services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency's decision to use full and open competition implies confidence in the market's ability to provide qualified vendors for these technical consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process typically benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The Department of State is the primary beneficiary, receiving critical technical consulting and validation services. Services include EDCHC, EDCHC-TTT, testing, validation, initial country assessment, and ad hoc training. The geographic impact is likely global, given the Department of State's mission, though specific country assessments are mentioned. Workforce implications may involve specialized consultants contributing to the agency's technical capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored for labor hours and rates.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value for money delivered.
The broad scope of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' could lead to scope creep if not well-defined.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair procurement process.
The contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for building long-term expertise.
The vendor, Michael Stapleton Associates, Ltd., has secured a significant contract, implying a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690). This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise offered to government and commercial clients. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large consulting contracts awarded by the Department of State or similar agencies for technical advisory and support functions.

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 for small businesses stemming from a specific set-aside requirement. The prime contractor, Michael Stapleton Associates, Ltd., would determine any subcontracting opportunities based on their own business strategy and the nature of the services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) at the Department of State, responsible for monitoring performance, approving invoices, and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Accountability is established through the contract's deliverables and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Consulting Services
Technical Advisory Contracts
Scientific and Technical Services
Foreign Affairs Support Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Scope definition for broad consulting services needs clear management to prevent creep.
Performance metrics are not explicitly detailed, making value assessment challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $131.1 million to MICHAEL STAPLETON ASSOCIATES, LTD.. THE CVC WILL PROVIDE EDCHC, EDCHC- TTT, TESTING AND VALIDATION, INITIAL COUNTRY ASSESSMENT, AND AD HOC TRAINING AS MIGHT BE REQUESTED. IGF::OT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MICHAEL STAPLETON ASSOCIATES, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $131.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-09-29. End: 2022-03-29.

What is the historical spending pattern for Michael Stapleton Associates, Ltd. with the Department of State?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns for Michael Stapleton Associates, Ltd. with the Department of State requires access to historical contract databases. Without specific historical data, it's impossible to determine if this $131 million contract represents a significant increase or decrease in their engagement with the agency. However, securing a contract of this magnitude suggests a successful track record or a strong proposal that met the agency's needs. Further investigation into past awards, contract types, and performance reviews would provide a clearer picture of their relationship and value to the Department of State over time.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to fixed-price contracts for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to Michael Stapleton Associates, Ltd., offer flexibility but can pose risks for cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. However, it places a greater burden on the government to monitor labor hours and ensure efficiency. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, offer greater cost certainty for the government but require a well-defined scope upfront and may not be suitable for evolving technical requirements. For consulting services where requirements can shift, T&M might be justified, but it necessitates robust government oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this contract. Typically, for consulting services, KPIs would focus on the timely delivery of reports, the quality and accuracy of technical assessments, the effectiveness of validation processes, and the relevance of ad hoc training provided. Client satisfaction surveys, adherence to budget (especially critical for T&M contracts), and the achievement of specific project milestones would also be crucial. Without explicit KPIs, assessing the contractor's performance and the overall value for money is challenging, relying instead on qualitative assessments by the COR and stakeholders.

What is the typical market rate for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) for the Department of State?

Determining the 'typical market rate' for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) is complex due to the wide variety of services encompassed and the specialized nature of government contracting. Rates can vary significantly based on the specific expertise required, the seniority of the consultants, geographic location, and the duration and complexity of the engagement. For the Department of State, rates are often benchmarked against other federal agencies and industry standards, considering factors like security clearances and specific domain knowledge. Without access to the specific labor categories, rates negotiated within this contract, and comparative data from similar government solicitations, a precise market rate comparison is not feasible. However, the 'full and open competition' award suggests the negotiated rates were deemed competitive.

What is the potential risk associated with the 'Delivery Order' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER) contract type?

A 'Delivery Order' typically refers to an order placed against an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a basic ordering agreement (BOA). The primary risk associated with the delivery order mechanism itself is less about the order type and more about the underlying IDIQ or BOA contract it's drawn from. Risks can include potential for scope creep if the overall IDIQ scope is too broad, ensuring fair competition among potential awardees if multiple are eligible under the IDIQ, and managing the cumulative spending across all delivery orders to stay within authorized limits. For this specific contract, the risk is tied to the management of the individual delivery order's scope, performance, and cost, especially given its Time and Materials nature.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9 MURRAY ST 2ND FLR, NEW YORK, NY, 10007

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $153,587,961

Exercised Options: $153,587,961

Current Obligation: $131,061,601

Actual Outlays: $20,615,716

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA16D0106

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline