State Dept. Spends $52.6K on Jefferson Science Fellowship Option Year 2 for Consulting Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $52,622 ($52.6K)
Contractor: National Academy of Sciences
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2023-10-22
End Date: 2024-10-21
Contract Duration: 365 days
Daily Burn Rate: $144/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: JEFFERSON SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP OPTION YEAR 2 PER DIEM/ADMINISTRATION - ONE (1) FELLOW
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $52,622.3 to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES for work described as: JEFFERSON SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP OPTION YEAR 2 PER DIEM/ADMINISTRATION - ONE (1) FELLOW Key points: 1. The contract is for consulting services related to the Jefferson Science Fellowship. 2. The National Academy of Sciences is the contractor. 3. This is a sole-source award, raising questions about competition. 4. The sector is Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $52.6K for one year of fellowship support appears high for per diem and administration. Benchmarking against similar fellowship programs or consulting contracts of this nature is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to obtain the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this fellowship support may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple qualified organizations had competed for the contract.
Public Impact
Fellowship programs are crucial for scientific exchange and policy advice. The specific impact of this fellowship on State Department initiatives is unclear. Transparency in sole-source awards is important for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of transparency in cost breakdown
- Potential for inflated costs due to no competition
Positive Signals
- Supports scientific exchange and expertise within government
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services. Spending in this category can vary widely, but fellowship support is a niche area. Benchmarks are difficult without more specific service details.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses could have provided similar services.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants closer oversight to ensure the price is fair and reasonable and that the services provided are essential.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Limited cost transparency
- Potential for overpayment
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-state, dc, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $52,622.3 to NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. JEFFERSON SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP OPTION YEAR 2 PER DIEM/ADMINISTRATION - ONE (1) FELLOW
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $52,622.3.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-22. End: 2024-10-21.
What specific services does the $52.6K cover beyond per diem and administration for the fellowship?
The provided data is limited and does not detail the specific services covered beyond 'PER DIEM/ADMINISTRATION'. A comprehensive understanding of the value requires a breakdown of administrative tasks, support provided to the fellow, and any direct program costs associated with the Jefferson Science Fellowship Option Year 2.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source contracts are justified when only one responsible source can provide the required services. For a fellowship program, this might relate to a unique partnership or established program structure with the National Academy of Sciences.
How does the cost of this fellowship option year compare to previous years or similar fellowship programs?
Without historical data for this specific fellowship or comparative data from similar programs, it is impossible to assess if the $52.6K cost is reasonable. A thorough analysis would require benchmarking against other government fellowship programs or consulting contracts for scientific expertise.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical 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: 19AQMM21R0154
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2101 CONSTITUTION AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20418
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $52,622
Exercised Options: $52,622
Current Obligation: $52,622
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM21D0113
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-22
Current End Date: 2024-10-21
Potential End Date: 2024-10-21 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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