Nearly $25.3 million contract for window blinds awarded to Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,350 ($25.3K)

Contractor: Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $285/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WINDOW BLINDS

Place of Performance

Location: PEORIA, PEORIA County, ILLINOIS, 61604

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $25,349.65 to INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: WINDOW BLINDS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for facilities support services, though specific benchmarking is needed. 2. Competition was conducted under a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' clause, suggesting a potentially limited but justified bidding process. 3. The contract duration of 89 days indicates a short-term need for these supplies. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government. 5. The awardee, Innovative Consulting & Management Services, LLC, is a new entity in federal contracting based on available data. 6. Geographic location of performance is Illinois.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $25.3 million for window blinds seems high for a 89-day duration, suggesting either a very large quantity or specialized requirements. Without specific unit counts or detailed specifications, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. However, the firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of 'facilities support services' related to these blinds.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded for documented reasons. The number of bidders is not provided, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition and its impact on price discovery. The exclusion clause warrants further investigation into the justification.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than if a broader range of suppliers had been able to bid. Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the restricted bidding pool.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal facilities within the Agricultural Research Service that require new or replacement window blinds. The services delivered include the provision and potentially installation of window blinds. The geographic impact is limited to Illinois, where the contract is to be performed. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team for delivery and installation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment.
The awardee's track record in federal contracting is not established, posing a performance risk.
The high dollar amount for a short-term supply contract requires scrutiny.
The justification for excluding sources needs to be thoroughly reviewed.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type offers cost predictability.
The contract is for a clearly defined product (window blinds).
Performance is localized to Illinois, potentially simplifying oversight.

Sector Analysis

The facilities support services sector within the federal government encompasses a wide range of needs, from maintenance and repair to specialized services like the provision of building components. Spending in this area is substantial, driven by the vast inventory of federal buildings. Window blinds, while a specific item, fall under the broader category of building furnishings and maintenance. Benchmarking this contract's value would require comparing it against other large-scale procurements of similar items or services, considering factors like quantity, material, and installation complexity.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside (ss=false, sb=false). There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, this award does not directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract type, which holds the contractor responsible for delivering the specified goods at the agreed-upon price. Transparency is dependent on the public availability of contract details and performance reports. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Federal Building Maintenance Contracts
Government Furnishings Procurement
Facilities Support Services
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedules

Risk Flags

High contract value for short duration
Limited competition justification unclear
Awardee track record unknown
Potential for overpricing due to limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $25,349.65 to INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC. WINDOW BLINDS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25,349.65.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the specific quantity and type of window blinds being procured under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact quantity or type of window blinds. The contract is categorized under NAICS code 561210 (Facilities Support Services) and the Product Service Code is listed as blank, further obscuring the specifics. The total award amount is $25,349,650.00 for a duration of 89 days. To assess value for money, detailed specifications regarding dimensions, materials (e.g., vinyl, aluminum, fabric), features (e.g., blackout, cordless), and any required installation services are crucial. Without this granular detail, it's impossible to determine if the per-unit cost is competitive or if the overall price is justified for the quantity and quality of blinds required.

What is the justification for the 'exclusion of sources' in the contract competition?

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This solicitation method implies that while the competition was intended to be open to all responsible sources, certain potential offerors were excluded based on specific, documented justifications. Common reasons for excluding sources include prior performance issues, failure to meet mandatory requirements in a previous solicitation, or specific security concerns. The agency must have a documented rationale for this exclusion, which should be available upon request through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request or agency records. Understanding this justification is key to assessing whether the competition was appropriately limited and if it potentially impacted the final price.

What is the track record of INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC with federal contracts?

Based on the provided data, INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC appears to be a relatively new entrant or has a limited history in federal contracting. The data does not indicate prior awards or extensive performance history. This lack of established track record introduces a degree of performance risk. Federal agencies typically vet contractors, but a new entity may not have a proven history of delivering complex projects on time and within budget. Further due diligence would involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov and FPDS for any past performance information or contract modifications that might shed light on their capabilities and reliability.

How does the $25.3 million award compare to typical spending on window blinds for federal facilities?

A $25.3 million expenditure solely for window blinds, especially within an 89-day timeframe, is exceptionally high and warrants significant scrutiny. Typical federal spending on window blinds, even for large facilities, would likely be in the hundreds of thousands or low millions, depending on the scale and complexity. This contract's value suggests either an extraordinarily large quantity of blinds are needed across multiple facilities, or the blinds are highly specialized (e.g., security-rated, custom-designed for unique architectural features, or integrated with smart building systems). Alternatively, the 'Facilities Support Services' designation might encompass more than just the blinds themselves, such as extensive installation, maintenance, or related facility upgrades, which are not explicitly detailed in the summary data.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for supplies like window blinds?

While firm fixed-price (FFP) contracts are generally preferred for supplies as they shift risk to the contractor, there are still potential risks. For a large value contract like this ($25.3M), the primary risk is that the contractor may have significantly overestimated costs, leading to an inflated price paid by the government. Conversely, if the contractor underestimated, they might cut corners on quality or delivery to maintain profitability, although the FFP structure incentivizes them to perform efficiently. Another risk is that the specifications might be poorly defined, leading to disputes over what was required. Given the high value and the 'exclusion of sources' clause, ensuring the specifications are robust and the price is competitive is paramount.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded to 'INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC'?

The award to 'INNOVATIVE CONSULTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC' is significant primarily due to the lack of readily available information on their past performance and scale of operations within the federal sector. This suggests it might be a newer company or one that has not previously secured contracts of this magnitude. For the government, awarding a contract of over $25 million to a less-established entity carries inherent risks related to execution, financial stability, and capacity. It raises questions about the vetting process and whether the company was selected through a competitive process that adequately assessed its ability to meet the contract's demands. The name itself, 'Innovative Consulting & Management Services,' also suggests a broader scope than just supplying blinds, hinting that the contract might involve more complex service elements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7361 CALHOUN PLACE, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20855

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,350

Exercised Options: $25,350

Current Obligation: $25,350

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12505B22D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline