State Department awards $2.5M for program management support to Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,525,725 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-03-13

End Date: 2027-03-12

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $2.5 million to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative and general management consulting services. 2. Focus on program and project management support. 3. Contract duration of approximately three years. 4. Awarded as a delivery order under an unspecified contract vehicle. 5. Contractor is Creative IT Solutions, LLC. 6. Service area is Virginia.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $2.5 million for program and project management support over three years appears to be within a reasonable range for such services. However, without knowing the specific scope of work and the contract vehicle under which this delivery order was issued, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management consulting services would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The absence of a specific contract vehicle also raises questions about the initial competition and pricing strategy.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data indicates the contract was a 'DELIVERY ORDER' and the competition status is 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests it was likely awarded under an existing indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar pre-competed vehicle. The specific details of how the original vehicle was competed and whether this particular delivery order was subject to further competition are not clear from the data. If it was not competed at the delivery order level, it limits price discovery for this specific task.

Taxpayer Impact: When a delivery order is not competed, taxpayers may not benefit from the most competitive pricing that could have been achieved through a new bidding process. This can lead to potentially higher costs if the original contract vehicle did not secure the best possible rates.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of State by providing essential program and project management support. Services delivered will likely enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of State Department programs. Geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the services will be performed. Workforce implications include the employment of personnel by Creative IT Solutions, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of clarity on competition for this specific delivery order.
Absence of detailed scope of work makes value assessment challenging.
Unspecified contract vehicle used for award.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a specific contractor for program management support.
Contract duration provides a period of stable support for the agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, specifically focusing on program and project management. This is a common area of federal spending, supporting agencies in organizing, planning, and executing their initiatives. The market for these services is broad, encompassing numerous firms capable of providing specialized expertise. The total federal spending on management consulting services is substantial, and this contract represents a small portion of that overall expenditure.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false. This suggests that the contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses explicitly stated in this data snippet. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is likely minimal, unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Program Management Support Services
Administrative Management Consulting
General Management Consulting Services
Department of State Contracts

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding raises concerns about optimal pricing.
Limited transparency on the specific contract vehicle used.
Absence of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
Small business participation appears to be minimal or non-existent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $2.5 million to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC. PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

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 $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-13. End: 2027-03-12.

What is the specific scope of work for this program and project management support contract?

The provided data identifies the contract's purpose as 'PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUPPORT' and its North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as '541611' for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. However, the detailed scope of work, including specific tasks, deliverables, and performance metrics, is not included in this data snippet. This level of detail would typically be found in the contract's statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS), which outlines the precise requirements the contractor must fulfill for the Department of State.

How does the $2.5 million contract value compare to similar program management support contracts at the Department of State?

A direct comparison of the $2.5 million contract value to similar program management support contracts at the Department of State is challenging without more specific data on the scope, duration, and complexity of those other contracts. However, for a three-year period (approximately 1094 days), this value suggests an average annual spend of roughly $833,000. This figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts for comparable services, considering factors like the number of personnel, required expertise, and the criticality of the programs being supported. Without access to a broader dataset of State Department contracts for program management, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average investment.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'?

Awarding a contract as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (often referred to as sole-source or non-competitive) carries several potential risks. Primarily, it limits the government's ability to secure the most competitive pricing, as there is no direct comparison of offers from multiple vendors. This can lead to paying a premium for services. Additionally, it may stifle innovation by not exposing the agency to a wider range of solutions or approaches that other potential bidders might offer. There's also a risk of complacency from the awarded contractor, as they face less pressure to perform exceptionally to retain future business compared to a competitive environment. Transparency can also be reduced, making it harder for the public and oversight bodies to verify fair pricing.

What is the track record of Creative IT Solutions, LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly for program management support?

Information regarding the specific track record of Creative IT Solutions, LLC in performing federal contracts, especially for program management support, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A thorough review would examine the size and complexity of previous contracts, the agencies they've served, and client feedback to gauge their reliability and capability in delivering program management services.

How does this contract align with the Department of State's overall spending on management and consulting services?

This $2.5 million contract for program and project management support represents a specific allocation within the Department of State's broader budget for management and consulting services. To understand its alignment, one would need to analyze historical spending patterns for similar services within the Department. This involves comparing the current award amount to previous years' expenditures on management consulting, identifying trends, and assessing whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in such support. It's crucial to see how this fits into the agency's strategic priorities and whether it's a core function being outsourced or a supplementary service.

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

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM20R0160

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: $7,651,168

Exercised Options: $4,872,195

Current Obligation: $2,525,725

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM21D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline