State Department awards $385K contract for administrative management consulting to Paragon Professional Services LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $385,388 ($385.4K)

Contractor: Paragon Professional Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-09-25

End Date: 2026-09-24

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IJC STAFFING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $385,388.4 to PARAGON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: IJC STAFFING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Duration of one year suggests a focused scope for administrative support. 3. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 indicates a focus on management consulting services. 4. Awarded as a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The contract is for staffing support, a common need across government agencies. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this specific award.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $385,388.40 for a one-year period for administrative management consulting appears within a reasonable range for specialized support services. However, without knowing the specific deliverables and the level of expertise required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar sole-source contracts for administrative staffing support within the Department of State or other federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing is competitive.

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 is capable of meeting the agency's needs, often due to unique qualifications, existing infrastructure, or specific program requirements. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from a range of proposals and potentially lower prices that could arise from a competitive bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not leverage competitive market forces to drive down prices. It also raises questions about whether alternative solutions or vendors were adequately explored.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from specialized administrative management and general management consulting services. This contract supports the operational efficiency of the agency by providing necessary staffing. The services are delivered within the District of Columbia, impacting the local federal workforce. The contract aims to ensure the smooth functioning of administrative processes within the department.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive benchmarking and potential cost savings.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
Potential for vendor lock-in if this is a recurring need.
Scope of 'staffing support' is broad and could encompass various levels of expertise.

Positive Signals

Award to an established entity (Paragon Professional Services LLC) may indicate prior successful performance.
Contract duration of one year allows for focused support and performance evaluation.
Specific NAICS code suggests a targeted service offering relevant to agency needs.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is a significant component of the federal contracting landscape. Agencies frequently procure these services to enhance operational efficiency, manage complex projects, and provide specialized expertise. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for strategic advice, process improvement, and organizational development. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the average cost of similar consulting engagements across various federal agencies, considering factors like contract duration, scope of work, and contractor experience.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. The award to Paragon Professional Services LLC, a company whose size is not specified here, means that opportunities for small business participation in this specific contract are likely limited unless Paragon proactively engages them. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the procurement was either not deemed suitable for small business participation or that larger, established firms were considered the primary candidates.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order, it is likely governed by the terms of a parent IDIQ contract, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the specific performance metrics would be key to assessing accountability. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Support Services
Management and Consulting Services
Staff Augmentation Contracts
Department of State Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential cost overruns.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes value assessment difficult.
Potential for limited transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $385,388.4 to PARAGON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LLC. IJC STAFFING SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARAGON 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 $385,388.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-25. End: 2026-09-24.

What is the track record of Paragon Professional Services LLC with the Department of State and other federal agencies?

Assessing the track record of Paragon Professional Services LLC is crucial for understanding their past performance and reliability. A review of federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal previous contracts awarded to this company, including their value, duration, and the agencies they served. Examining past performance evaluations, if publicly available, would provide insights into their ability to meet contractual requirements, deliver quality services, and adhere to schedules and budgets. A history of successful contract completions, positive performance reviews, and minimal disputes would indicate a lower risk associated with this award. Conversely, a history of performance issues, contract terminations, or significant disputes would raise concerns about the value and effectiveness of this sole-source award.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar administrative management consulting services procured by the federal government?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $385,388.40 contract against similar services is essential for determining value for money. Since this is a sole-source award, direct comparison to competitively bid contracts for identical services is difficult. However, one could analyze the average hourly rates or total contract values for administrative management consulting services under NAICS code 541611 awarded by the Department of State or other agencies over the past 1-3 years. Factors to consider include the level of expertise required (e.g., senior consultants vs. junior staff), the duration of the contract, and the specific deliverables. If Paragon's proposed rates are significantly higher than the market average for comparable services, it could indicate a lack of competitive pressure influencing the price.

What specific administrative management and general management consulting services are being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'IJC STAFFING SUPPORT' under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). However, the specific nature of the 'staffing support' is not detailed. This could range from providing administrative personnel to fill vacancies, offering strategic advice on organizational structure, implementing new management processes, or assisting with workforce planning. Understanding the precise scope of work is critical for evaluating the necessity of the contract, the appropriateness of the sole-source award, and the potential impact on the agency's operations. Without a detailed statement of work, it's challenging to assess if the awarded amount represents fair value for the services rendered.

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

The justification for a sole-source award is a critical component of procurement transparency and accountability. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 outlines the conditions under which sole-source procurements are permissible, typically requiring a documented justification and approval (J&A) process. For this contract, the Department of State would need to demonstrate why only Paragon Professional Services LLC could provide the required 'IJC STAFFING SUPPORT.' Reasons might include unique capabilities, proprietary knowledge, urgent and compelling needs where competition is not feasible, or if the requirement is a logical follow-on to a previous contract where the original contractor is the only source. Without access to this specific J&A, it is difficult to independently verify the necessity and appropriateness of bypassing the competitive bidding process.

What is the historical spending pattern for administrative management and general management consulting services at the Department of State?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for administrative management and general management consulting services at the Department of State can provide context for this $385,388.40 award. By examining past contract data, one can identify trends in the volume and value of such procurements, the primary contractors utilized, and the typical duration and scope of these services. This historical perspective helps determine if this contract represents a significant increase or decrease in spending, if it aligns with established patterns, or if it deviates notably. Understanding these patterns can also shed light on whether the Department of State consistently relies on sole-source awards for these types of services or if competitive procurements are more common, thereby informing the assessment of this specific award's context.

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: 19AQMM23R0224

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3301 C ST, 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: $1,216,147

Exercised Options: $385,402

Current Obligation: $385,388

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM23D0090

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline