State Department awards $34.2M contract for FOIA staffing to PACARCTIC, LLC, with no competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $34,234,777 ($34.2M)
Contractor: Pacarctic, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2019-10-01
End Date: 2024-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $18.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROFESSIONAL FOIA STAFFING
Place of Performance
Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503
State: Alaska Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $34.2 million to PACARCTIC, LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL FOIA STAFFING Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $34.2M for administrative management consulting. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long contract duration of 5 years (1825 days) warrants close monitoring. 4. Focus on FOIA staffing suggests a critical administrative function for the agency.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Time and Materials award, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to market rates for similar FOIA staffing services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of competition. This limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve the best possible price and value.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in taxpayers paying a premium for these services, as there was no pressure to reduce costs through bidding.
Public Impact
Ensures continued processing of Freedom of Information Act requests, impacting public access to government information. Supports agency operations by managing administrative tasks related to FOIA. Potential for increased costs to taxpayers due to sole-source award.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Time and Materials pricing
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical agency need for FOIA processing
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, specifically focused on FOIA staffing. Benchmarks for such specialized administrative support can vary widely, but the significant value suggests a substantial operational requirement.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from the Department of State to ensure PACARCTIC, LLC is delivering services efficiently and at a fair price, despite the lack of competition.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility.
- Lack of transparency on justification for sole-sourcing.
- Potential for missed small business opportunities.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-state, ak, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $34.2 million to PACARCTIC, LLC. PROFESSIONAL FOIA STAFFING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PACARCTIC, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $34.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-10-01. End: 2024-09-29.
What specific factors justified the sole-source award for FOIA staffing services, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
Justification for sole-source awards typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of qualified sources. Without further details, it's unclear if PACARCTIC, LLC possesses unique expertise or if other qualified vendors were overlooked. Exploring competitive options, even for specialized services, is crucial for ensuring value for taxpayer money and fostering a competitive market.
How is the agency ensuring cost control and performance monitoring for this Time and Materials contract, given the absence of competitive pricing?
Effective cost control requires stringent monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs. The agency must implement detailed performance metrics and regular reviews to ensure PACARCTIC, LLC is operating efficiently and that costs align with the value delivered. Regular audits and clear deliverables are essential to mitigate risks associated with T&M contracts.
What is the projected impact of this contract's duration and sole-source nature on the agency's long-term FOIA processing capabilities and costs?
A five-year sole-source contract may limit the agency's flexibility to adapt to changing FOIA processing needs or to benefit from future market innovations and cost reductions. It could also create vendor lock-in. The agency should periodically reassess the need for competitive sourcing to ensure ongoing value and efficiency in its FOIA operations.
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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3800 CENTERPOINT DR STE 502, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $48,023,924
Exercised Options: $34,234,777
Current Obligation: $34,234,777
Actual Outlays: $19,482,302
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM19D0149
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-10-01
Current End Date: 2024-09-29
Potential End Date: 2024-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-02
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