DOJ awards $6.1M for Violence Against Women grants management, with 2 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,089,902 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Grey Street Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-01-01

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: GRANTS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE ON THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW)

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX STATION, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22039

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $6.1 million to GREY STREET CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: GRANTS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE ON THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW) Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of grants management support. 2. Limited competition with only two bidders may have impacted price discovery. 3. Potential for cost overruns exists with Time and Materials pricing structure. 4. Contract duration of three years provides stability for OVW operations. 5. This contract supports critical administrative functions for a key social program. 6. The contractor, Grey Street Consulting, LLC, is a relatively new entity in federal contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $6.1 million over three years for grants management support services seems within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. However, without specific benchmarks for similar OVW grants management support, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing model introduces a degree of risk, as costs can escalate if not closely managed. Comparing this to other administrative management contracts, the per-year cost is moderate.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, which is a positive indicator for achieving fair market prices. However, only two bids were received, suggesting that the pool of interested and qualified contractors may have been limited for this specific requirement. While competition occurred, the low number of bidders could mean that the government did not receive the full benefit of a highly competitive bidding environment, potentially leading to less aggressive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited number of bidders means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible price that a more robust competition could have yielded. This could translate to a higher overall cost for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and the various organizations receiving grants to combat violence against women. Services delivered include crucial administrative and management support for the OVW's grant programs. The geographic impact is nationwide, as OVW grants support initiatives across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for employment opportunities within the contractor's organization to support these services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may have resulted in a higher price than a more competitive scenario.
The contractor, Grey Street Consulting, LLC, has a limited federal contracting history, posing potential performance risks.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating an attempt to maximize market participation.
The contract duration of three years provides continuity for essential grant management functions.
The services directly support the critical mission of the Office on Violence Against Women.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of service providers, from large established firms to smaller niche consultancies. The market size for federal administrative support services is substantial, with agencies consistently outsourcing functions to improve efficiency and access specialized expertise. This contract represents a typical engagement for providing specialized support to a government program.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mandated within the award details provided. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting. Further review of the contract clauses would be needed to confirm any indirect small business utilization.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Justice, specifically the Office on Violence Against Women, which is the end-user of the services. The contract's Time and Materials nature necessitates diligent monitoring of labor hours and costs to ensure efficiency and prevent overspending. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements, and the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General could potentially audit this contract if specific concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Grants Management
Violence Against Women Act Programs
Federal Administrative Support Services
Consulting Services for Social Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Time and Materials pricing carries cost overrun risk.
Contractor has limited federal contracting history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $6.1 million to GREY STREET CONSULTING, LLC. GRANTS MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE ON THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (OVW)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GREY STREET CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-01. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of Grey Street Consulting, LLC in federal contracting, particularly with the Department of Justice or similar agencies?

Grey Street Consulting, LLC appears to be a relatively new entrant into the federal contracting space. Based on available data, their federal contract history is limited, with this award representing a significant engagement. Information regarding past performance on similar grants management or administrative support contracts, especially with agencies focused on social programs or law enforcement, is not readily available. A deeper dive into contract databases and performance evaluations would be necessary to fully assess their track record and suitability for this role. The limited history suggests a potential performance risk that warrants close monitoring by the contracting agency.

How does the awarded amount of $6.1 million compare to historical spending on similar grants management support services for the OVW or comparable programs?

Comparing the $6.1 million award for OVW grants management support to historical spending requires access to detailed historical contract data for the OVW and similar programs. Without specific historical figures, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the contract's duration of three years (1095 days) suggests an average annual spend of approximately $2 million. This figure seems moderate for comprehensive grants management support, which often involves complex administrative tasks, compliance monitoring, and financial oversight. If historical spending has been significantly higher or lower for comparable services, it could indicate either increased scope, market fluctuations, or potential inefficiencies in this award. Further analysis of past OVW contracts or similar agency grants management contracts would provide a more robust benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure for this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost escalation if the contractor's labor hours or material costs are not efficiently managed or are inflated. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements do not set a ceiling on the total cost, making them susceptible to overruns. For this contract, mitigation relies heavily on the Department of Justice's oversight. This includes rigorous monitoring of timesheets, verification of labor categories and rates, and scrutiny of any material purchases. Establishing a clear ceiling price or 'not-to-exceed' (NTE) amount within the T&M structure is a common mitigation strategy, although not explicitly detailed here. The agency must actively manage the scope and ensure that all hours billed are directly related to the contract's objectives.

Given that only two bids were received, what is the potential impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the grants management services provided?

A limited competition with only two bidders can have several implications for the effectiveness and efficiency of the services. On one hand, it suggests that the two bidding companies were likely well-qualified and capable of performing the work. However, the lack of broader competition might mean that the government did not benefit from a wider range of innovative solutions or the most competitive pricing. This could potentially lead to less pressure on the contractor to be exceptionally efficient or cost-effective throughout the contract period. While the services may still be delivered effectively, the absence of robust competition could reduce the incentive for optimal performance and cost control, potentially impacting the overall value received by the OVW and taxpayers.

What specific types of grants does the OVW manage, and how critical is the administrative support provided by this contract to their successful distribution and oversight?

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) manages a portfolio of grants aimed at preventing and addressing violence against women, including programs for sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. These grants fund a wide array of initiatives, such as victim services, law enforcement training, prosecution assistance, and research. The administrative support provided by this contract is critical to the successful operation of these programs. It likely encompasses tasks such as processing applications, managing award documentation, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, tracking grant expenditures, and facilitating communication between OVW and its grantees. Without effective administrative support, the OVW's ability to efficiently award, monitor, and oversee these vital grants would be significantly hampered, potentially delaying or disrupting critical services for survivors.

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: 15JPSS23Q00000043

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7605 RUSTLE RIDGE CT, FAIRFAX STATION, VA, 22039

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,418,767

Exercised Options: $6,089,902

Current Obligation: $6,089,902

Actual Outlays: $3,085,598

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA21D001W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline