State Dept. Awards $2.6M for IT Consulting, Limiting Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,628,471 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-08-08

End Date: 2026-08-07

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CREATIVE IT SOLUTION LLC PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES - INR/TIO

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 $2.6 million to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: CREATIVE IT SOLUTION LLC PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES - INR/TIO Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.6M for administrative and management consulting. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about price discovery and value. 3. Potential for higher costs due to lack of competitive bidding. 4. IT consulting services are crucial for agency operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $2.6M for administrative and management consulting services is difficult to assess without a clear benchmark. The lack of competitive bidding makes it challenging to determine if the pricing is optimal compared to similar contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection. This approach may hinder effective price discovery and potentially lead to less favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these professional support services.

Public Impact

Citizens may question the fairness of awarding contracts without full and open competition. Transparency in government spending is reduced when competition is limited. Taxpayer funds are allocated to a single vendor, potentially missing out on cost savings.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) are vital for government efficiency. Benchmarks for such services vary widely based on scope and expertise, but competitive bidding typically ensures better value.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition aspect warrants further oversight to ensure the selected vendor provides services at a fair and reasonable price. Accountability for the procurement decision should be clear.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-state, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $2.6 million to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC. CREATIVE IT SOLUTION LLC PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES - INR/TIO

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 $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-08. End: 2026-08-07.

What specific factors justified limiting competition for these administrative and management consulting services?

The justification for limiting competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such decisions are based on factors like urgent need, unique capabilities of a sole source, or specific government requirements that only one vendor can meet. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the validity of the limited competition.

How does the lack of competition impact the risk of cost overruns or inefficient service delivery?

The lack of competition increases the risk of cost overruns and inefficient service delivery. Without competitive pressure, the vendor may have less incentive to offer the most competitive pricing or to optimize service delivery for maximum efficiency. The government relies on robust oversight to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected effectiveness of these consulting services in achieving the Department of State's objectives?

The effectiveness of the consulting services is contingent on the vendor's expertise and the clarity of the defined objectives. While the contract specifies administrative and management consulting, the actual impact on the Department of State's goals is not detailed. Success will depend on strong performance management and alignment with agency needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesManagement, Scientific, and Technical Consulting ServicesAdministrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONSIT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

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: $4,146,635

Exercised Options: $4,129,538

Current Obligation: $2,628,471

Actual Outlays: $754,462

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

Start Date: 2022-08-08

Current End Date: 2026-08-07

Potential End Date: 2027-08-07 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-02-04

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