State Department awards $574K contract for professional staffing support to Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $574,214 ($574.2K)

Contractor: Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-03-16

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 1,843 days

Daily Burn Rate: $312/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL STAFFING SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20521

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $574,213.64 to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL STAFFING SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Duration of over 5 years suggests a long-term need for these services. 3. The contract's value is relatively modest for a federal professional services award. 4. Focus on administrative management and general management consulting services. 5. Geographic concentration in Washington D.C. may indicate specific program support needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $574,213.64 over approximately five years appears reasonable for specialized professional staffing support. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or identify potential cost savings. The absence of competition raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible value. Further analysis would require comparing the specific services rendered to similar sole-source awards.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor is capable of providing the required services, often due to unique qualifications or existing infrastructure. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from multiple bids, which could have driven down prices and spurred innovation.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for taxpayers to benefit from competitive pricing and potentially better service offerings that could arise from a more open bidding environment.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from specialized professional staffing support. Services likely include administrative and management consulting to enhance operational efficiency. The primary geographic impact is within Washington D.C., where the Department of State is headquartered. The contract supports the workforce by engaging a private sector vendor for specific expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competition and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Long contract duration (over 5 years) may indicate a lack of flexibility or a missed opportunity for re-competition.
Lack of detailed service description makes it difficult to assess performance metrics and value.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a specific need for professional staffing support within the Department of State.
Creative IT Solutions, LLC is being engaged for its presumed specialized capabilities.
The contract is structured as a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger framework or existing relationship.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611). This sector is a significant component of federal spending, encompassing a wide range of advisory and support services. The market for such services is competitive, but sole-source awards bypass typical market dynamics. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar sole-source professional staffing contracts would be necessary for a more precise value assessment.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss' being false. Furthermore, there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Creative IT Solutions, LLC, will be performing the majority of the work, and there may be limited direct benefit or opportunity for the small business ecosystem through this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officers and program managers within the Department of State. As a sole-source award, the justification for this procurement method would be subject to review. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature, and specific performance metrics and reporting requirements would be detailed in the contract's statement of work. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Professional Services Schedule (PSS)
Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Services
Department of State Operations

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Lack of performance data for contractor.
Limited transparency on specific services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $574,213.64 to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC. PROFESSIONAL STAFFING SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $574,213.64.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-16. End: 2027-04-02.

What is the specific nature of the 'professional staffing support services' being provided?

The data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' This suggests the services likely involve providing expert advice, analysis, and support related to the management and operational efficiency of the Department of State. This could encompass areas such as organizational structure, process improvement, strategic planning, human capital management, or policy development. However, without a more detailed statement of work, the precise tasks and deliverables remain unspecified. The contract type 'LABOR HOURS' implies that the contractor will be paid based on the time their personnel spend working on the contract, rather than fixed deliverables.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The provided data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations permit sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. This could be due to unique technical qualifications, proprietary knowledge, or a critical need that cannot be fulfilled through a competitive process within the required timeframe. The Department of State would have had to formally justify this sole-source determination, often requiring approval from higher authorities to ensure it aligns with procurement best practices and maximizes value for the government.

How does the contract duration and value compare to similar professional staffing contracts at the Department of State?

The contract has a duration of 1,843 days (approximately 5 years) and a total value of $574,213.64. This translates to an average annual value of roughly $115,000. Compared to the vast spending of the Department of State, this contract appears relatively modest in value and duration for professional services. Many federal agencies engage in larger, multi-year contracts for similar consulting and staffing support, often valued in the millions. The sole-source nature and moderate size suggest it might be for a niche requirement or a specific project rather than a broad, agency-wide initiative. A direct comparison would require identifying other sole-source awards for similar services within the Department of State or other agencies.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for professional staffing?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for money. Without competition, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price or the most innovative solutions. This can lead to higher costs for the government compared to what might be achieved through a competitive bidding process. Additionally, sole-source awards can limit the government's access to a broader range of expertise and potentially foster vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers in the future. There's also a risk that the justification for the sole-source award might be weak, leading to perceptions of impropriety or inefficiency.

What is the track record of Creative IT Solutions, LLC with federal contracts?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Creative IT Solutions, LLC with federal contracts. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG to review past awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any reported issues. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their reliability, past performance quality, and experience in delivering similar services to government agencies. This lack of readily available performance data is a significant gap in assessing the overall risk of this contract.

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 AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2000 N CLASSEN BLVD STE 1700, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, 73106

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $795,361

Exercised Options: $691,530

Current Obligation: $574,214

Actual Outlays: $199,747

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM21D0050

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline