State Department Awards $7M+ Legal Advisory Services Contract to Contracting Resources Group Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,045,624 ($7.0M)

Contractor: Contracting Resources Group Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2021-09-11

End Date: 2026-09-10

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OFFICE OF LEGAL ADVISER, OFFICE OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS, L CA PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $7.0 million to CONTRACTING RESOURCES GROUP INC for work described as: OFFICE OF LEGAL ADVISER, OFFICE OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS, L CA PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for professional management support services to the Office of Legal Adviser. 2. The contract value is over $7 million, with a duration of five years. 3. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 4. This contract was not competed under simplified acquisition procedures.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7,045,623.69 for 5 years of administrative management and general management consulting services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized legal advisory support. However, without specific task details and comparable contract data, a precise valuation is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a potential limitation in competition. The award method as a BPA Call suggests it might be an existing agreement, but the lack of explicit competition details raises questions about price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of a limited competition approach for a contract of this value may result in a higher cost to taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of essential legal advisory and management support for consular affairs. Supports the Department of State's mission in providing legal guidance and services. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of detailed pricing justification

Positive Signals

Supports critical government function
Long-term contract provides stability

Sector Analysis

The sector for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) is broad. For specialized legal advisory support within the government, costs can vary significantly based on the complexity and criticality of the services required.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of State's Contracting Resources Group is responsible for this award. Oversight should focus on ensuring the contractor meets performance requirements and that the limited competition was justified and appropriately documented.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of State Contracting
Department of State Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
Lack of detailed task order information hinders full assessment.
Contract duration of 5 years may lock in potentially suboptimal pricing.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $7.0 million to CONTRACTING RESOURCES GROUP INC. OFFICE OF LEGAL ADVISER, OFFICE OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS, L CA PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CONTRACTING RESOURCES GROUP INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-11. End: 2026-09-10.

What specific management support services are being provided under this contract, and how do they directly contribute to the Office of Legal Adviser's mission?

The contract is for 'Professional Management Support Services.' While the specific tasks are not detailed, these services likely encompass administrative, operational, and strategic support functions essential for the Office of Legal Adviser's effective functioning. This could include project management, data analysis, policy support, and logistical coordination, all aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of legal advice and consular operations.

Given the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' what was the justification for this procurement approach, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for not competing under SAP needs to be thoroughly documented by the agency. Typically, this involves citing specific exceptions to full and open competition, such as a sole-source justification or a limited competition among pre-qualified vendors. Fair and reasonable pricing would ideally be determined through market research, historical pricing data, or cost analysis, though the lack of competition can make this assessment more challenging.

How will the performance of Contracting Resources Group Inc. be monitored to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the management support services provided?

Performance monitoring will likely involve a combination of contract surveillance by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and regular performance reviews. Key performance indicators (KPIs) should be established in the contract to measure service delivery, responsiveness, and overall impact. Feedback mechanisms from the Office of Legal Adviser stakeholders will also be crucial for assessing contractor effectiveness and addressing any performance issues promptly.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8 W WEST ST, BALTIMORE, MD, 21230

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small 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: $7,307,254

Exercised Options: $7,307,254

Current Obligation: $7,045,624

Actual Outlays: $2,421,901

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM19A0234

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline