ACF OPRE awards $3.4M contract to Mathematica Inc. for consulting services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,439,950 ($3.4M)
Contractor: Mathematica Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2027-04-01
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: ACF OPRE NSDS
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20002
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $3.4 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: ACF OPRE NSDS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single large business. 2. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 3. Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing. 4. Limited visibility into specific deliverables and performance metrics.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $3.4M for a 364-day duration appears reasonable for specialized consulting services. However, without specific task orders or benchmarks for similar OPRE projects, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific pricing mechanisms within the Time and Materials contract type warrant scrutiny to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for consulting services. The effectiveness of the competition and the pricing structure will determine the ultimate taxpayer impact.
Public Impact
Supports federal research and data collection efforts. Potential impact on policy decisions based on consulting outcomes. Ensures specialized expertise is available for government projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials pricing can lead to uncontrolled costs.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes accountability challenging.
- Contract duration is short, potentially leading to follow-on contracts.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Contract supports critical government research functions.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management consulting. Benchmarks for similar federal consulting contracts vary widely based on scope and duration, but this award appears within a typical range for specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to small businesses. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to monitor the Time and Materials expenditures and ensure that the consulting services align with the objectives of ACF OPRE. Performance metrics, if defined, will be key to accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost creep due to Time and Materials.
- Lack of defined performance metrics.
- No small business participation.
- Limited transparency on specific project outcomes.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-the-interior, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $3.4 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. ACF OPRE NSDS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2027-04-01.
What specific deliverables are expected from Mathematica Inc. under this contract, and how will their successful completion be measured?
The provided data does not detail specific deliverables or performance metrics. Further inquiry into the contract's statement of work and any associated performance work statements is necessary to understand the expected outcomes and how they will be evaluated. This information is critical for assessing the value and effectiveness of the awarded services.
How will the agency mitigate the risks associated with the Time and Materials pricing structure to prevent cost overruns?
Mitigation strategies for Time and Materials contracts typically involve establishing clear labor categories with pre-negotiated rates, setting strong oversight mechanisms, defining not-to-exceed (NTE) limits for specific tasks or the overall contract, and requiring detailed reporting of hours and expenses. The agency should have robust internal controls in place.
What is the anticipated long-term impact of these consulting services on ACF OPRE's research and data collection capabilities?
The long-term impact depends on the quality and applicability of the insights and recommendations provided by Mathematica Inc. If the consulting effectively enhances data collection methodologies or research strategies, it could lead to more robust findings and better-informed policy decisions. The success hinges on the alignment of the consulting scope with OPRE's strategic goals.
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: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 140D0425Q0629
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1100 1ST ST NE FL 12, WASHINGTON, DC, 20002
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $19,143,919
Exercised Options: $3,439,950
Current Obligation: $3,439,950
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D00BQ
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2027-04-01
Potential End Date: 2031-04-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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