Interior's $24.1M Consulting Contract with ICF Incorporated Faces Scrutiny for Value and Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,124,039 ($24.1M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2020-08-01
End Date: 2025-09-15
Contract Duration: 1,871 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: HEAD START REGION 3 - TTA NETWORK
Place of Performance
Location: PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA County, PENNSYLVANIA, 19107
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $24.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: HEAD START REGION 3 - TTA NETWORK Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ICF Incorporated for administrative management consulting services. 2. Significant contract value of $24.1 million over its duration. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, but specific price discovery mechanisms require review. 4. The contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for consulting, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar T&M contracts for consulting services is crucial to assess if the $24.1M ceiling represents fair value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive indicator for price discovery. However, the effectiveness of the competition in driving down costs for T&M services needs further examination, especially given the contract's duration and value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for consulting services. The ultimate impact depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided and the management of the T&M pricing.
Public Impact
Citizens expect government contracts to deliver tangible results and efficient use of taxpayer money. Transparency in contract spending, especially for large consulting agreements, is vital for public trust. The long duration of the contract (2020-2025) means ongoing scrutiny is necessary to ensure continued value.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost creep with Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or value-based outcomes mentioned.
- Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years, increasing risk exposure.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract serves a clear administrative support function for the Department of the Interior.
- Experienced contractor (ICF Incorporated) likely brings relevant expertise.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional services, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but large, multi-year contracts like this warrant close monitoring to ensure they align with agency needs and budget constraints.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award notice.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be critical to manage the Time and Materials aspect of this contract. Regular reviews of invoices, work performed, and adherence to the contract ceiling are essential. The Department of the Interior's internal oversight mechanisms will play a key role.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
- Lack of defined performance metrics in the provided data.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing needs and economic conditions.
- No small business participation indicated.
- Reliance on consulting services could indicate internal capacity gaps.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-the-interior, pa, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $24.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. HEAD START REGION 3 - TTA NETWORK
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-08-01. End: 2025-09-15.
What specific deliverables and performance metrics are in place to ensure the $24.1M contract delivers measurable value to the Department of the Interior?
The provided data does not detail specific deliverables or performance metrics. For a Time and Materials contract of this magnitude, it is crucial that the Department of the Interior has established clear objectives, key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular progress reviews to ensure the consulting services are effective and provide tangible value, justifying the significant expenditure.
How effectively did the full and open competition process mitigate potential cost overruns inherent in Time and Materials contracts?
While full and open competition is a positive step, its effectiveness in mitigating T&M cost overruns is not guaranteed. The competition likely focused on the contractor's qualifications and proposed rates. Ongoing management, including detailed oversight of hours worked and justification for tasks, is paramount to control costs throughout the contract's life, regardless of the initial competition.
What is the anticipated impact of these consulting services on the Department of the Interior's operational efficiency and effectiveness?
The anticipated impact hinges on the specific nature of the administrative management and general management consulting services provided. If ICF Incorporated successfully streamlines processes, improves organizational structure, or enhances strategic planning, the impact could be significant positive gains in efficiency and effectiveness. Without detailed service descriptions, this remains speculative.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 140D0420R0017
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.
Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,366,991
Exercised Options: $25,757,907
Current Obligation: $24,124,039
Actual Outlays: $24,124,039
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 6
Total Subaward Amount: $380,031
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-08-01
Current End Date: 2025-09-15
Potential End Date: 2025-09-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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