State Department awards $6.1M professional labor support services contract to Tatitlek Federal Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,099,409 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Tatitlek Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-03-10

End Date: 2027-03-09

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL LABOR SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $6.1 million to TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: PROFESSIONAL LABOR SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. Duration of 729 days suggests a need for sustained support in administrative management. 3. Focus on Alaska indicates a geographically specific requirement for these services. 4. The contract type is a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 5. No small business set-aside was utilized, potentially impacting small business participation.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $6.1 million for professional labor support services over approximately two years appears within a reasonable range for specialized administrative and management consulting. However, without specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and the labor mix (e.g., senior consultants vs. junior analysts), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management consulting services would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and overall value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning the Department of State did not solicit bids from multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor is uniquely qualified, or in situations where urgency or a lack of available alternatives necessitates a direct award. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that the potential for price discovery through market forces was not realized.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not benefit from the competitive pressure that typically drives down prices. This contract's pricing was not tested against the open market.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from sustained professional labor support services, likely enhancing its administrative and management functions. Services delivered are focused on administrative management and general management consulting, crucial for operational efficiency. The geographic impact is concentrated in Alaska, suggesting support for state department operations or personnel within that region. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of personnel by Tatitlek Federal Services LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing benefits for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity of the services.
Potential for cost overruns if not closely managed due to lack of competitive pressure.

Positive Signals

Award to an established entity (Tatitlek Federal Services LLC) may indicate a known quantity for service delivery.
The contract duration suggests a recognized need for ongoing support, implying a structured requirement.
Specific geographic focus (Alaska) suggests tailored support for a particular operational environment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611). This sector is characterized by a wide range of services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Spending in this category is substantial across the federal government, supporting various agencies in areas like strategic planning, operational improvement, and human capital management. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average cost of similar consulting engagements across different federal agencies, considering factors like contract duration, complexity, and the level of expertise required.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned in the provided data. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in delivering these professional labor support services are not explicitly mandated through this award. The absence of a small business set-aside or subcontracting plan could limit the direct economic benefit to the small business ecosystem for this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the administrative management and general management consulting services. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated by federal contract databases where award details are published, though specific performance metrics and detailed spending breakdowns may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Professional Services Schedule (PSS)
Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Contracts
Department of State Operations Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of detailed scope of work in summary data
No small business set-aside

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $6.1 million to TATITLEK FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. PROFESSIONAL LABOR SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TATITLEK FEDERAL 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 $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-10. End: 2027-03-09.

What is the specific scope of work for these professional labor support services, and how does it align with the Department of State's mission in Alaska?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'PROFESSIONAL LABOR SUPPORT SERVICES' under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). While the specific scope of work is not detailed, it likely involves providing expertise to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative and management functions within the Department of State's operations, potentially in Alaska. This could encompass areas such as strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, policy development support, or general management advisory services tailored to the unique challenges or requirements of State Department activities in the Alaskan region. The alignment with the mission would depend on whether these services directly support diplomatic functions, logistical operations, or internal administrative processes critical to the State Department's presence and activities in Alaska.

How does the $6.1 million award compare to typical spending on similar administrative management consulting services by the Department of State or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $6.1 million award requires comparing it against similar contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services. The Department of State, like many large federal agencies, procures these services regularly to support various operational needs. Typical contract values can range significantly based on duration, complexity, and the level of expertise required. A $6.1 million award over approximately two years (729 days) suggests a substantial engagement. Without access to detailed contract databases filtered by specific services, duration, and agency, a precise comparison is difficult. However, this amount is not unusually high for a multi-year, sole-source consulting contract supporting a major federal agency. Further analysis would involve examining the average cost per day or per labor hour for similar services across the federal government to determine if this contract represents a fair market price.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, particularly concerning cost and performance?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to higher costs for the government compared to a competitively bid contract. Without multiple bidders vying for the contract, the selected contractor may have less incentive to offer the lowest possible price. Furthermore, performance risks can exist if the contractor's capabilities have not been rigorously tested against market alternatives. While the Department of State likely has a rationale for the sole-source determination (e.g., unique capabilities, urgency), it necessitates robust oversight to ensure the contractor delivers high-quality services at a reasonable cost and meets all performance expectations. The absence of competition also limits the government's ability to explore innovative solutions that might have been proposed by other firms.

What is Tatitlek Federal Services LLC's track record with the Department of State and other federal agencies for similar professional labor support services?

Tatitlek Federal Services LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those with the Department of State. Analyzing their past performance is crucial for assessing their reliability and capability in delivering professional labor support services. Federal procurement data often reveals the types of contracts awarded, their values, and performance history. A review of publicly available contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would show previous awards to Tatitlek Federal Services, including the agencies they've served, the nature of the services provided, and potentially past performance ratings or any disputes. Understanding their experience with similar administrative management and general management consulting services, especially within the Department of State, provides insight into their ability to meet the requirements of this new contract effectively and efficiently.

Given the contract is for 'labor support services,' what is the expected breakdown of labor categories and their associated costs?

The provided data categorizes this award under 'PROFESSIONAL LABOR SUPPORT SERVICES' and NAICS 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services), with the contract type listed as 'LABOR HOURS'. This indicates that the contract is priced based on the hours worked by personnel performing the services, rather than fixed-price deliverables. While the specific breakdown of labor categories (e.g., senior consultants, analysts, project managers) and their respective hourly rates are not detailed in the summary data, this information would typically be specified within the contract's statement of work and associated pricing tables. The total award of $6.1 million over 729 days implies an average daily labor cost. A detailed analysis would require examining the contract's CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) and associated labor rates to understand the cost distribution across different skill levels and roles.

What are the implications of this contract being a 'Delivery Order' under a larger IDIQ vehicle?

The designation of this award as a 'DELIVERY ORDER' signifies that it is a task-specific order issued under a pre-existing Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. IDIQ contracts establish terms and conditions, including pricing structures and scope, under which multiple task orders or delivery orders can be issued over a period. This approach allows agencies to procure services more efficiently once the initial IDIQ contract has been awarded, often through a competitive process. For this specific contract, it means that Tatitlek Federal Services LLC was likely awarded a broader IDIQ contract previously, and this $6.1 million order represents a specific requirement within that larger framework. The implications include potentially faster procurement for this specific need, but the overall value and competition of the underlying IDIQ vehicle are critical for a comprehensive assessment.

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

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 561 E 36TH AVE STE 400, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, 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: $20,769,610

Exercised Options: $13,730,717

Current Obligation: $6,099,409

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM22D0086

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline