Monroe County awarded $2.66M for accounting services under the HIDTA program, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,662,525 ($2.7M)

Contractor: County of Monroe

Awarding Agency: Executive Office of the President

Start Date: 2024-05-24

End Date: 2027-05-23

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING (HIDTA) PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20543

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Executive Office of the President obligated $2.7 million to COUNTY OF MONROE for work described as: HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING (HIDTA) PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract value of $2.66 million for accounting services appears reasonable given the duration and scope of the HIDTA program. 2. As a sole-source award, there is a lack of competitive pressure, potentially impacting price efficiency. 3. The contract's duration of nearly three years suggests a need for consistent and specialized accounting support. 4. Performance context is limited due to the sole-source nature, making direct comparisons difficult. 5. This contract positions the County of Monroe as a key service provider within the HIDTA program's operational framework. 6. The absence of small business set-aside provisions warrants further investigation into subcontracting opportunities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $2.66 million contract is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and comparable sole-source awards. However, for accounting services supporting a federal program like HIDTA over nearly three years, the price point does not immediately appear excessive. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the complexity of the accounting tasks involved. Comparing it to similar sole-source contracts for specialized government accounting services would provide a more robust assessment of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when only one vendor is capable of providing the required services, or in specific circumstances where full and open competition is not feasible. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for multiple bidders to offer proposals, which can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than if the contract had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding. This sole-source award bypasses the typical market forces that drive down costs in a competitive environment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the County of Monroe, which receives funding and support for its role in the HIDTA program. The services delivered are accounting and financial management support crucial for the effective operation of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program. The geographic impact is focused on the District of Columbia, where the contract is administered. Workforce implications are likely internal to the County of Monroe, potentially utilizing existing accounting staff or requiring new hires to manage the federal funding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Sole-source awards can reduce transparency and accountability compared to competed contracts.
Absence of small business participation could limit broader economic impact.

Positive Signals

Contract supports a critical federal program (HIDTA) aimed at combating drug trafficking.
Awarding to the County of Monroe leverages local government infrastructure and expertise.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically accounting services. The market for government accounting services is substantial, with numerous firms offering specialized support. However, sole-source awards like this one bypass typical market dynamics. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal grants or contracts awarded to local governments for program administration and financial oversight, particularly within law enforcement or public safety initiatives.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to include a small business set-aside. The award to the County of Monroe, a governmental entity, suggests that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may be limited unless the county actively seeks them out for specific components of the accounting services. Further inquiry into the county's procurement policies regarding subcontracting would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Executive Office of the President, which oversees the HIDTA program. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance of accounting services against the contract's terms and conditions. Transparency is somewhat limited due to the sole-source nature, but reporting requirements within the HIDTA program should provide some level of visibility. Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific agency administering the HIDTA funds allocated to this contract.

Related Government Programs

High Intensity Drug Trafficking (HIDTA) Program
Federal Grant Management
County Government Services
Accounting and Auditing Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for cost overruns due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency in procurement process.
No explicit small business participation noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Executive Office of the President awarded $2.7 million to COUNTY OF MONROE. HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING (HIDTA) PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COUNTY OF MONROE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Executive Office of the President (Executive Office of the President).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-24. End: 2027-05-23.

What is the track record of the County of Monroe in managing federal contracts, particularly those related to law enforcement or drug interdiction programs?

Information regarding the County of Monroe's specific track record in managing federal contracts, especially those tied to law enforcement or drug interdiction programs like HIDTA, is not readily available in this dataset. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance reviews, audit reports, and any documented instances of contract compliance or non-compliance. Understanding their experience with similar federal funding streams and reporting requirements is crucial for evaluating the reliability of this award. Without this data, we assume a baseline level of competence given the award, but cannot confirm exceptional performance.

How does the $2.66 million contract value compare to similar accounting services provided to other HIDTA regions or comparable federal programs?

Direct comparison of the $2.66 million contract value for accounting services to other HIDTA regions or similar federal programs is difficult without more specific data on the scope of services, duration, and complexity. This contract is for nearly three years (1094 days) and awarded sole-source to the County of Monroe. Typical accounting services for federal programs can range significantly based on the volume of transactions, reporting requirements, and the need for specialized compliance expertise. If this represents a significant portion of the overall HIDTA budget for the region, it might warrant closer scrutiny. However, without comparative benchmarks for similar sole-source awards or competed contracts for comparable services, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for essential accounting services within a critical federal program like HIDTA?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for essential accounting services within the HIDTA program is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive bidding. This can lead to reduced value for taxpayer money. Another risk is a potential decline in service quality or innovation, as the contractor faces less pressure to perform at a high level compared to a competitive environment. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of planning or an inability to identify multiple qualified vendors, which could signal underlying program management issues. Dependence on a single provider also creates a risk if that provider experiences financial difficulties or operational disruptions.

What are the expected outcomes or program effectiveness indicators for the accounting services funded by this contract?

The expected outcomes for accounting services funded by this contract are primarily centered around ensuring the accurate, timely, and compliant financial management of the HIDTA program's resources within the County of Monroe. This includes maintaining proper financial records, processing transactions efficiently, adhering to federal accounting standards and grant regulations, and providing reliable financial reports to the overseeing agency (Executive Office of the President). Program effectiveness would be measured by the absence of financial irregularities, successful audits, timely fund disbursement, and the ability of HIDTA leadership to make informed decisions based on accurate financial data. The contract's success hinges on supporting the operational goals of the HIDTA program without financial mismanagement.

How has federal spending on accounting services for drug interdiction programs evolved over the past five years, and does this contract align with historical trends?

Historical federal spending on accounting services for drug interdiction programs, including HIDTA, is not detailed in the provided data. However, federal spending in this area is generally driven by the allocation of resources to combat drug trafficking and related criminal activities. Such spending typically involves contracts for financial management, auditing, and grant administration. This $2.66 million award to the County of Monroe for accounting services under the HIDTA program appears to be a specific allocation for a defined period. Without broader historical spending data on similar contracts or programs, it's difficult to definitively state whether this contract aligns with or deviates from past trends. It likely reflects ongoing needs and funding priorities within the HIDTA initiative.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the County of Monroe's overall budget and its capacity to deliver other local services?

The impact of this $2.66 million federal contract on the County of Monroe's overall budget and its capacity to deliver other local services depends on how the funds are managed and utilized. If the contract primarily involves utilizing existing county accounting staff and infrastructure, the impact might be minimal, potentially even enhancing capacity through federal reimbursement for services rendered. However, if it requires significant new hires or dedicated resources, it could strain the county's budget or divert resources from other local priorities. The federal funding is intended to support the HIDTA program, so ideally, it should not negatively impact the delivery of other county services. Clear financial management and allocation are key to ensuring no adverse effects on local service delivery.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services › Other Accounting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5525 COLLEGE RD, KEY WEST, FL, 33040

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,653,601

Exercised Options: $2,662,525

Current Obligation: $2,662,525

Actual Outlays: $1,457,081

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline