DOJ awards $3.1M contract for research analysis to Guidehouse Inc., with 5 years of performance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,120,395 ($3.1M)

Contractor: Guidehouse Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2021-11-30

End Date: 2026-11-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EO14042 OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT (OPS RESEARCH ANALYST)

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $3.1 million to GUIDEHOUSE INC. for work described as: EO14042 OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT (OPS RESEARCH ANALYST) Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Performance period of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. The contract type is 'Labor Hours', which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to Engineering Services, though the specific task is research analysis. 5. The award was a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework. 6. The small business indicators are false, meaning this was not specifically set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services provided and comparable contracts. The total award amount of $3.1 million over five years averages to $624,000 annually. The 'Labor Hours' contract type means the final cost is dependent on the hours worked, which introduces variability. Without knowing the specific labor rates or the number of hours anticipated, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is competitive or represents good value for money. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and comparing it to similar research analysis or engineering support contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters price discovery and allows the government to select the best value offer. The open nature of the competition suggests that the U.S. Marshals Service sought a broad range of potential contractors, aiming to leverage market competition to secure necessary services.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a competitive environment that can lead to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, ultimately aiming for better value.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marshals Service is the primary beneficiary, receiving research analysis support. Services delivered likely involve data analysis, policy research, or operational support for the agency. The geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the contract is registered, but the services may support national operations. Workforce implications could include the utilization of specialized analysts and researchers, potentially both within Guidehouse Inc. and potentially impacting federal employee roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Labor Hours' contract type can lead to cost uncertainty if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific details on the scope of 'research analysis' makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity.
The NAICS code 'Engineering Services' seems broad for 'research analysis', potentially indicating a less precise categorization.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
A five-year performance period indicates a stable, long-term requirement for these services.
The contract is with Guidehouse Inc., a known entity in consulting and professional services.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a significant area of federal spending. This contract falls under engineering services (NAICS 541330), which encompasses a wide range of activities from design to research and development. Federal agencies frequently procure such services to augment their internal capabilities, particularly for specialized analysis or project support. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific nature of the research analysis required, but the overall engineering services market is substantial.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by the 'ss' and 'sb' fields being false. This means that large businesses were eligible to compete and potentially win. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. The lack of a small business set-aside suggests that the agency did not prioritize small business participation for this specific procurement, which could limit opportunities for smaller firms in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Marshals Service contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order, it may be subject to the oversight of the larger IDIQ contract it belongs to, if applicable. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance reports or specific oversight mechanisms are not detailed in the provided data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice - General Services
U.S. Marshals Service - Operational Support
Professional and Technical Services Contracts
Engineering Services Contracts
Research and Analysis Support

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to 'Labor Hours' contract type.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Broad NAICS code may not fully capture the nature of the services.
Limited insight into the number of bidders and specific competition dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $3.1 million to GUIDEHOUSE INC.. EO14042 OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT (OPS RESEARCH ANALYST)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GUIDEHOUSE INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-11-30. End: 2026-11-29.

What specific research analysis tasks will Guidehouse Inc. perform for the U.S. Marshals Service?

The provided data does not detail the specific research analysis tasks. However, given the agency (U.S. Marshals Service) and the NAICS code (541330 - Engineering Services), the tasks could range from operational analysis, policy development support, threat assessment research, data modeling, or program evaluation. The 'Labor Hours' contract type suggests that the scope might be flexible, allowing the agency to procure analytical support as needed over the five-year period. Further details would typically be found in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with the contract.

How does the $3.1 million award compare to historical spending on similar research analysis services by the U.S. Marshals Service?

Without access to historical spending data specifically for research analysis services by the U.S. Marshals Service, a direct comparison is not possible. The $3.1 million award over five years ($624,000 annually) represents a significant investment. To assess its comparability, one would need to analyze past contracts for similar analytical support, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and inflation. If the agency has consistently awarded similar amounts for comparable services, it might indicate a standard level of investment. Conversely, a significant deviation could warrant further investigation into the reasons for the change.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will Guidehouse Inc.'s performance be measured?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or the performance measurement criteria for this contract. Typically, KPIs are defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) and would be tailored to the specific research analysis objectives. Common metrics for such services might include timeliness of deliverables, accuracy of analysis, quality of reports, adherence to project milestones, and client satisfaction. The U.S. Marshals Service would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and evaluating Guidehouse Inc.'s performance throughout the contract duration.

What is Guidehouse Inc.'s track record with the Department of Justice and similar federal agencies for research and analysis contracts?

Guidehouse Inc. is a well-established professional services firm that has a history of contracting with various federal agencies, including the Department of Justice. While the specific details of their past performance on research and analysis contracts with DOJ are not provided here, their general presence in the federal contracting space suggests experience. A thorough assessment would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), other contracts awarded to Guidehouse by DOJ or similar agencies, and the nature of those services to gauge their suitability and success rate for this specific requirement.

Are there any identified risks associated with the 'Labor Hours' contract type for this research analysis requirement?

Yes, the 'Labor Hours' contract type carries inherent risks, primarily related to cost control and predictability. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the final cost is determined by the actual hours worked by contractor personnel multiplied by agreed-upon labor rates. This can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work expands, if productivity is lower than anticipated, or if the agency requires more hours than initially estimated. Effective management, close monitoring of hours, and clear definition of tasks are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the contract remains within budget and delivers value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C.

Address: 1676 INTERNATIONAL DR STE 800, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,452,841

Exercised Options: $3,120,395

Current Obligation: $3,120,395

Actual Outlays: $1,195,007

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU142

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline