State Department awards $1M+ task order for management analysts to Tatitlek Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,035,106 ($1.0M)

Contractor: Tatitlek Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $709/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST POSITIONS

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $1.0 million to TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST POSITIONS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Task order for management analyst services falls under administrative management consulting. 3. Performance period spans nearly four years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Contract value is modest relative to broader federal consulting expenditures. 5. No small business set-aside, suggesting potential missed opportunities for smaller firms.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $1 million over four years for management analyst services appears reasonable for the scope. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or other similar contracts. The labor hours pricing model (PT: LABOR HOURS) allows for flexibility but can also lead to cost overruns if not managed effectively. Further analysis would require access to the specific labor rates and the number of hours utilized.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach bypasses the typical competitive process where multiple companies bid on the work, potentially leading to lower prices and better value. The lack of competition here means the government did not leverage market forces to secure the best possible terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in higher costs for taxpayers as there is no direct price comparison from competing offers. This limits the government's ability to ensure it is receiving the most cost-effective solution.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from dedicated management analyst support. Services are delivered to support administrative and general management functions within the agency. The contract has a geographic impact in Alaska (ST: AK, SN: ALASKA). Workforce implications include the employment of management analysts by Tatitlek Federal Services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source award limits transparency in contractor selection.
Potential for cost creep due to labor hours contract type if not closely monitored.

Positive Signals

Award to an established contractor (Tatitlek Federal Services LLC) may indicate a known quantity.
Long-term performance period suggests a stable need for these services.
Contract supports essential administrative functions within the Department of State.

Sector Analysis

The Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611) is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape. Agencies frequently procure these services to improve efficiency, streamline operations, and manage complex projects. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for specialized expertise that may not be available in-house. Benchmarking this contract's value against the broader market requires detailed analysis of similar task orders for management analyst support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside (SB: false). Tatitlek Federal Services LLC is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to compete for or subcontract on this specific award were not prioritized through a set-aside mechanism. Further investigation into Tatitlek's size status and subcontracting plans would be necessary to fully assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. As a task order under an IDIQ contract, the underlying contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Commercialization Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for higher costs without competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $1.0 million to TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. SI IDIQ TASK ORDER FOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST POSITIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of Tatitlek Federal Services LLC with the Department of State and other federal agencies?

Tatitlek Federal Services LLC has a history of federal contracting, including with the Department of State. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, particularly those involving management analyst support or administrative consulting, would provide insight into their reliability and effectiveness. A review of contract awards and performance evaluations (if publicly available) would reveal their experience level and success rate. Understanding their prior work with the agency can help assess the risk associated with this sole-source award, as the agency may be relying on established past performance.

How does the pricing structure of this task order compare to similar management analyst contracts awarded competitively?

Direct comparison of pricing is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award. Competitively awarded contracts for management analyst services typically involve multiple bids, allowing for price benchmarking. Without this competitive data, it's difficult to ascertain if the rates negotiated with Tatitlek Federal Services represent fair market value. Access to the specific labor categories, hourly rates, and estimated hours billed under this contract, alongside data from similar, competed contracts, would be necessary for a robust value-for-money assessment. The 'labor hours' contract type also introduces variability.

What are the specific management challenges or needs within the Department of State that this task order aims to address?

The task order specifies 'Management Analyst Positions' under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' This suggests the Department of State requires specialized expertise to improve operational efficiency, organizational structure, strategic planning, or process optimization. The specific needs could range from supporting internal reviews, developing new administrative procedures, assisting with program management, or providing analytical support for decision-making. The long duration of the task order implies these are ongoing or strategic needs rather than short-term project support.

What is the historical spending pattern for management analyst services by the Department of State?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for management analyst services by the Department of State would provide context for this $1 million+ task order. Understanding the agency's typical investment in such services, the number of contracts awarded, and the average contract values can indicate whether this award is consistent with past trends or represents an increase/decrease in spending. Examining trends over the last 5-10 fiscal years could reveal shifts in resource allocation towards consulting services and help identify potential areas of over-reliance or underinvestment.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for critical management analyst functions?

Sole-source awards carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost and quality. Without competition, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price, potentially leading to higher expenditures for the government. Furthermore, the absence of multiple bids means the agency may not be exposed to innovative solutions or the absolute best-in-class provider. There's also a risk of complacency from the awarded contractor, assuming continued sole-source awards without rigorous performance. Transparency and accountability can also be diminished compared to a competed procurement.

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

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM22R0211

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 561 E 36TH AVE STE 400, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, 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: $1,635,786

Exercised Options: $1,043,059

Current Obligation: $1,035,106

Actual Outlays: $219,157

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM22D0086

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline