DoD's $23.4M contract for administrative management consulting services awarded to Analytic Services Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,391,060 ($23.4M)

Contractor: Analytic Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-10-01

End Date: 2012-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK 2: DOCUMENT REVIEW TAS::97 0100::TAS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.4 million to ANALYTIC SERVICES INC. for work described as: TASK 2: DOCUMENT REVIEW TAS::97 0100::TAS Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by establishing a set price for services. 3. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) indicates a medium-term engagement for consulting services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to a focus on administrative and general management consulting. 5. The contract was awarded to Analytic Services Inc., a contractor with a history of federal engagements. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Defense, specifically the Washington Headquarters Services. 7. The contract was awarded as 'Other Direct Costs' (ODC) which may indicate a flexible spending structure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. The total award amount of $23.4 million over three years averages to approximately $7.8 million annually. This figure needs to be compared against the scope and complexity of the administrative management and general management consulting services provided. Without detailed service descriptions or performance data, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This suggests a robust bidding process where multiple companies likely vied for the contract. The presence of 13 bids (implied by 'no': 13) further supports the notion of significant competition, which generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this one typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging contractors to offer their best value. The government can leverage competition to secure services at a more cost-effective rate.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Department of Defense agencies requiring administrative and general management consulting support. The services delivered are expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of DoD's administrative operations. The geographic impact is centered around the Washington Headquarters Services, indicating a focus on the Pentagon and surrounding DoD facilities. Workforce implications may include the utilization of specialized consultants to advise on management practices and operational improvements within the DoD.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true impact and value delivered.
The fixed-price contract, while offering cost certainty, might limit flexibility if project requirements evolve significantly.
The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive environment that should yield fair pricing.
The fixed-price contract type helps in budget predictability and cost control.
The contract is managed by the Washington Headquarters Services, a key entity within the DoD, suggesting strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting various government functions. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in management, operations, and strategic planning. The Department of Defense is a major consumer of such services, utilizing them to optimize complex organizational structures and processes.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, Analytic Services Inc., is likely a larger entity. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor actively seeks to engage small businesses for subcontracting opportunities, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

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

Related Government Programs

DoD Management Consulting Services
Federal Administrative Support Contracts
Professional Services Contracts
Management and Strategy Consulting

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in consulting services.
Difficulty in objectively measuring consulting outcomes.
Contractor cost overruns on a fixed-price contract.
Reliance on contractor expertise may not build internal government capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.4 million to ANALYTIC SERVICES INC.. TASK 2: DOCUMENT REVIEW TAS::97 0100::TAS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANALYTIC SERVICES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-10-01. End: 2012-09-30.

What specific types of administrative and general management consulting services were delivered under this contract?

The contract, NAICS code 541611, broadly covers 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' While the specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data, such services typically encompass areas like organizational efficiency improvements, strategic planning, process re-engineering, policy development, and operational analysis. For the Department of Defense, this could involve advising on resource allocation, improving internal workflows, enhancing communication strategies, or optimizing administrative procedures within various commands or headquarters units. The 'TASK 2: DOCUMENT REVIEW' in the data might suggest a focus on reviewing and improving existing documentation or processes.

How does the $23.4 million award compare to similar DoD consulting contracts awarded around the same period (2009-2012)?

Comparing the $23.4 million award requires context on the scope and duration. Awarded between 2009 and 2012, this contract represents an average annual spend of approximately $7.8 million. During that period, the DoD was a significant spender on consulting services, particularly in areas related to management, strategy, and operational efficiency. Larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive management consulting within the DoD often ranged from several million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the complexity and criticality of the services. Without knowing the specific tasks and deliverables, a precise comparison is difficult, but the amount is within the typical range for substantial, multi-year consulting engagements for a major federal agency.

What are the key risks associated with a fixed-price contract for consulting services, and how might they have been mitigated?

A primary risk with fixed-price contracts for consulting is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if costs exceed estimates. Conversely, if the initial price was too high, the government may overpay. For consulting, where deliverables can be less tangible than physical goods, scope creep is another risk if requirements are not clearly defined and managed. Mitigation strategies likely included a detailed Statement of Work (SOW), clear performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and strong contract oversight by the Washington Headquarters Services. The fixed-price nature, however, incentivizes the contractor to manage their own costs efficiently.

What was the track record of Analytic Services Inc. with the federal government prior to or during this contract?

Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER) has a long history of serving federal agencies, particularly in defense and national security. Prior to and during this 2009-2012 contract, ANSER was known for providing research, analysis, and support services. Their work often involves complex problem-solving and policy analysis. While specific performance details for this particular contract are not public, ANSER's general reputation is that of a capable research and development organization and think tank, often engaged in mission-critical support for government clients. Their federal contracting history suggests experience in managing large, complex projects.

How did the level of competition (13 bidders) influence the pricing and value received by the DoD?

Having 13 bidders for a 'full and open competition' contract is a strong indicator of a healthy and competitive market for these specific consulting services. A higher number of bidders generally drives down prices as companies compete to win the contract, often by offering more competitive rates or demonstrating superior value propositions. This level of competition likely enabled the Department of Defense to secure services at a more advantageous price than if there had been only a few bidders. It also increases the likelihood that the chosen contractor, Analytic Services Inc., provided a strong balance of cost and capability, leading to better overall value for the taxpayer.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: HQ003409R3002

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2900 S QUINCY ST STE 800, ARLINGTON, VA, 22206

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,427,009

Exercised Options: $23,391,060

Current Obligation: $23,391,060

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HQ003409A3017

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline