State Dept. Spends $4.8M on Category Management Consulting, Awarded via BPA Call
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,824,845 ($4.8M)
Contractor: Censeo Consulting Group, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2022-06-06
End Date: 2026-06-05
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: CATEGORY MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $4.8 million to CENSEO CONSULTING GROUP, INC. for work described as: CATEGORY MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Key points: 1. High contract value for consulting services. 2. Limited competition due to BPA Call. 3. Potential risk in pricing without full competition. 4. Services fall under administrative management consulting.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is awarded via a BPA Call, which typically implies pre-negotiated rates. However, without knowing the specific BPA's competitive history or the rates negotiated within it, a direct pricing assessment against similar contracts is difficult. The labor hours pricing model requires careful monitoring.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under SAP and was awarded via a BPA Call. This limits the scope of competition to vendors already on the BPA. While BPA calls can offer efficiency, they may not always yield the best price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for management consulting services. The effectiveness of the spending hinges on the value delivered by Censeo Consulting Group and the efficiency of the BPA Call procurement method.
Public Impact
Citizens receive services supported by improved government operations. Tax dollars fund external consulting expertise for administrative functions. The Department of State aims to enhance its category management capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for overpayment without robust price benchmarks
Positive Signals
- Awarded via existing BPA, potentially faster execution
- Focus on category management can lead to long-term efficiencies
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. Spending benchmarks for this category can vary widely based on the specific services rendered and the agency's needs. The $4.8M value is significant for a single contract in this area.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Censeo Consulting Group, Inc., which is not indicated as a small business. There is no information provided to suggest that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or had opportunities to compete for this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is primarily the responsibility of the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. The use of a BPA Call suggests some level of pre-existing oversight on the parent BPA, but the specific task order's performance and cost management require diligent monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of transparency in pricing benchmarks
- Potential for scope creep
- Dependence on contractor expertise
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-state, dc, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $4.8 million to CENSEO CONSULTING GROUP, INC.. CATEGORY MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CENSEO CONSULTING 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 $4.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-06-06. End: 2026-06-05.
What specific category management improvements are expected from this $4.8M investment, and how will their achievement be measured?
The expected improvements likely revolve around optimizing procurement processes, reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and achieving better value for money across the Department of State's spending. Measurement should involve quantifiable metrics such as cost savings realized, reduction in contract duplication, improved contract compliance, and enhanced data visibility into spending patterns. The agency should establish clear KPIs tied to these objectives.
Given the limited competition via BPA Call, what steps are being taken to ensure the pricing remains fair and reasonable over the contract's duration?
To ensure fair and reasonable pricing, the Department of State should regularly review the rates against market data for similar consulting services, even if obtained through a different procurement vehicle. Periodic re-evaluation of the BPA's ceiling rates and the specific task order's labor mix against industry benchmarks is crucial. If significant price deviations occur, a review of the competition within the BPA or consideration of a new competitive solicitation may be warranted.
How does this contract align with the agency's broader strategic goals for administrative efficiency and fiscal responsibility?
This contract aligns with strategic goals by aiming to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government spending through better category management. By leveraging external expertise, the Department of State seeks to identify cost-saving opportunities and streamline its acquisition processes. The success of this alignment depends on the consultant's ability to deliver actionable insights and the agency's commitment to implementing recommended changes, ultimately contributing to fiscal responsibility.
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: 1776 I ST NW STE 1030, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,185,170
Exercised Options: $5,312,763
Current Obligation: $4,824,845
Actual Outlays: $1,385,511
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $42,560
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM19A0279
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-06-06
Current End Date: 2026-06-05
Potential End Date: 2027-06-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-23
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