State Department awards $4.2M administrative services contract to Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,200,433 ($4.2M)

Contractor: Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2024-12-16

End Date: 2026-06-15

Contract Duration: 546 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

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 $4.2 million to BERING STRAITS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting. 2. Awarded as a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger existing agreement. 3. Duration of 546 days suggests a medium-term need for services. 4. The contract is not available for open competition, raising questions about price discovery. 5. Services are concentrated in Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.2 million over approximately 18 months for administrative management consulting services appears within a reasonable range for such engagements. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts within the federal government would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive. The absence of a competitive bidding process limits the ability to definitively assess if the government secured the best possible price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed openly, meaning it was awarded directly to Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC without a broad solicitation. The specific justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data. Limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices as there is less pressure for contractors to offer their most competitive rates. The lack of multiple bidders means that the government did not benefit from a range of proposals and pricing options.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most cost-effective solution due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. The government's ability to negotiate favorable terms is reduced when only one vendor is considered.

Public Impact

The Department of State is the primary beneficiary, receiving administrative management and consulting services. Services are expected to support the operational needs of the agency. The geographic impact is localized to Washington D.C. The contract is likely to support existing administrative staff or augment capacity within the agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Scope of work and specific deliverables are not detailed, making performance assessment difficult.
The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' status requires further investigation into the justification.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a known entity, potentially indicating a pre-existing relationship or specialized capability.
Clear start and end dates provide a defined period for service delivery.
The contract is a delivery order, suggesting it aligns with existing contract vehicles.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of support services critical to government operations. Federal spending in this area is substantial, with agencies frequently outsourcing specialized administrative functions to leverage external expertise and manage fluctuating workloads. The market includes numerous firms, from large corporations to small businesses, offering a diverse array of consulting services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The award to Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC, which is listed as an LLC, does not inherently indicate its size category without further information. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities would depend on the prime contractor's own small business utilization plan, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of State responsible for administrative services. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award; however, contract award data is typically made public through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Support Services
Management and Consulting Services
Department of State Contracts
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Lack of detailed scope of work hinders performance assessment.
Potential for higher costs due to non-competitive nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $4.2 million to BERING STRAITS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BERING STRAITS PROFESSIONAL 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 $4.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-16. End: 2026-06-15.

What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. However, the specific justification for this determination is not included. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services, often due to unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific program requirements. Without the official justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A), it is impossible to ascertain the precise reasons. This lack of transparency limits the ability to assess whether the sole-source designation was appropriate and if it truly served the government's best interest.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar administrative consulting contracts within the Department of State?

A direct comparison of the $4.2 million award to similar administrative consulting contracts within the Department of State is difficult without more granular data on contract scope, duration, and specific services rendered. Federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would need to be queried for contracts with the same NAICS code (541611) awarded by the Department of State over a comparable timeframe. Factors such as the level of expertise required, the number of personnel involved, and the complexity of the administrative challenges addressed would significantly influence pricing. Given the sole-source nature, it's harder to benchmark against competitively bid contracts which typically yield lower prices.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this administrative services contract. These crucial elements are typically outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) attached to the contract award. For administrative management and general management consulting services, KPIs could include metrics related to efficiency improvements, cost savings achieved, timeliness of report generation, accuracy of data management, client satisfaction, or successful implementation of new administrative processes. Without access to the SOW/PWS, a thorough assessment of expected outcomes and performance standards is not possible.

What is the track record of Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

Bering Straits Professional Services, LLC has been awarded this $4.2 million contract by the Department of State for administrative management and general management consulting services. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar federal contracts. This involves reviewing contract databases for previous awards, their values, durations, and the agencies they served. Additionally, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would provide insights into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets. Without this historical data, it's challenging to gauge their established performance level in the federal contracting space.

What is the potential risk associated with a sole-source award for administrative services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for administrative services is the potential for inflated costs due to a lack of competition. When a contract is not openly competed, the government loses the opportunity to leverage market forces to secure the best possible price and value. There's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most innovative or efficient provider available. Furthermore, a sole-source award can raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other capable businesses. Transparency is reduced, making it harder for oversight bodies and the public to verify that the government obtained a fair and reasonable price.

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: 19AQMM24R0156

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3301 C ST STE 400, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,336,359

Exercised Options: $4,336,359

Current Obligation: $4,200,433

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM24D0058

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline