State Department awards $1.2M for policy support analysts to Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,208,767 ($1.2M)

Contractor: Creative IT Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-09-02

End Date: 2026-09-01

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CREATIVEIT SOLUTIONS - POLICY SUPPORT ANALYSTS OES-ENV

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 $1.2 million to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: CREATIVEIT SOLUTIONS - POLICY SUPPORT ANALYSTS OES-ENV Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting price competition. 2. Duration of 729 days suggests a need for sustained analytical support. 3. Focus on administrative management and general management consulting services. 4. Delivery order under an unspecified contract vehicle. 5. Geographic location concentrated in Washington D.C. 6. No small business set-aside noted, potentially impacting small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The total award amount of $1.2M for policy support analysts over approximately two years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized consulting services. However, without a clear contract vehicle or comparison to similar sole-source awards, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. The pricing structure is based on labor hours, which can be subject to fluctuations and requires diligent oversight to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns. Benchmarking against market rates for similar administrative management and general management consulting services would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or qualifications required for the service. While this can ensure specialized expertise, it significantly limits opportunities for price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract. The absence of multiple bidders means there was no direct comparison of proposals or pricing to drive down costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards reduce competitive pressure, which can result in taxpayers paying a premium for services that might be obtained at a lower cost through open competition.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from specialized policy support analysis. Services delivered are expected to aid in administrative management and general management consulting. Geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., the seat of federal government operations. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized analytical talent for policy development and implementation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases cost to taxpayers.
Lack of transparency in the contract vehicle used for this delivery order.
Labor hour pricing can be susceptible to scope creep and cost overruns without strict oversight.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific LLC (Creative IT Solutions, LLC) suggests a targeted need for their expertise.
The contract duration indicates a sustained requirement for policy support, implying importance to agency operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of government functions. The market for these services is competitive, but sole-source awards, like this one, represent a segment where specific expertise or existing relationships may drive procurement decisions. Benchmarking against similar consulting contracts within the federal government, particularly those for policy analysis and administrative support, would be necessary for a comprehensive value assessment.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that this award was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. This means that opportunities for small business participation in fulfilling this contract are not explicitly mandated. While Creative IT Solutions, LLC may engage small businesses as subcontractors, the absence of a set-aside or subcontracting goals suggests a limited direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting officer and program managers. As a delivery order, its specific oversight mechanisms would depend on the parent contract vehicle. Accountability measures would involve performance reviews, adherence to labor hour reporting, and delivery of required policy support. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the unspecified contract vehicle, making public scrutiny of the procurement process challenging.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Policy Development Support
Federal Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit competition and increase costs.
Lack of detailed performance history for the contractor.
Unspecified contract vehicle for delivery order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $1.2 million to CREATIVE IT SOLUTIONS, LLC. CREATIVEIT SOLUTIONS - POLICY SUPPORT ANALYSTS OES-ENV

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 $1.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-02. End: 2026-09-01.

What is the track record of Creative IT Solutions, LLC with the federal government, particularly with the Department of State?

Information regarding the specific track record of Creative IT Solutions, LLC with the federal government, and more specifically with the Department of State, is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance, one would typically look at past contract awards, performance evaluations (such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. A thorough review would involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov and FPDS-NG for their contract history. Without this historical data, it is difficult to gauge their reliability, past performance quality, and adherence to contract terms and conditions on previous engagements. This lack of readily available performance history makes it harder to justify a sole-source award based on proven capability and past success.

How does the $1.2M award compare to similar policy support analyst contracts awarded by the Department of State or other agencies?

Comparing the $1.2M award for policy support analysts to similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. The provided data indicates this is a sole-source award for administrative management and general management consulting services, with a duration of 729 days. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for policy analysis or management consulting services, ideally with similar scopes of work, durations, and agencies. Factors such as the number of bidders in competed contracts, the specific skill sets required, and the geographic location of service delivery would influence pricing. Given this is a sole-source award, it is inherently difficult to establish a direct competitive benchmark. However, if similar competed contracts for comparable services were awarded at a significantly lower total value or hourly rate, it would raise questions about the value for money in this sole-source scenario.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for policy support analysts?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for policy support analysts is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated pricing and reduced value for taxpayer money. Without multiple vendors vying for the contract, the government loses the opportunity to benefit from competitive bidding, which typically drives down costs and encourages innovation. Another risk is the potential for vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes dependent on a single provider, making it difficult to switch even if performance is subpar or costs increase. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other qualified businesses that were not given a chance to compete. There's also a risk that the specific expertise claimed by the sole-source provider might not be as unique or as effective as initially assessed, but the lack of competition makes this difficult to verify.

What is the expected effectiveness of the policy support analysts in achieving the Department of State's objectives?

The expected effectiveness of the policy support analysts hinges on several factors not fully detailed in the provided data. The contract specifies services in 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services,' suggesting the analysts will contribute to the efficiency, strategy, and operational effectiveness of the Department of State's policy initiatives. Their role likely involves research, analysis, report generation, and advising on policy implementation. The effectiveness will be measured by the quality of their analytical output, their contribution to informed decision-making, and their ability to support the achievement of the Department's strategic goals. Success will depend on the clarity of the SOW, the qualifications of the individuals assigned, and the Department's ability to integrate their support effectively into existing policy processes. Performance metrics and regular evaluations will be crucial for assessing their actual impact.

How has the Department of State's spending on administrative management and general management consulting services trended over the past five years?

Analyzing the spending trends of the Department of State on administrative management and general management consulting services over the past five years requires access to historical federal procurement data. This specific contract award of $1.2M is a single data point. To understand broader trends, one would need to aggregate spending data for the relevant NAICS code (541611) and potentially related service categories awarded by the Department of State. Factors influencing these trends could include shifts in agency priorities, budget allocations, the use of different contracting vehicles, and the overall economic climate. Without this historical context, it's impossible to determine if this $1.2M award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending in this category for the Department.

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: $1,261,178

Exercised Options: $1,245,678

Current Obligation: $1,208,767

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