State Department awards $750K for business process improvement, leveraging administrative management consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $750,800 ($750.8K)

Contractor: Censeo Consulting Group, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-03-28

End Date: 2027-03-27

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT CALL ORDER - PMSS BPA CALL

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 $750,800.09 to CENSEO CONSULTING GROUP, INC. for work described as: BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT CALL ORDER - PMSS BPA CALL Key points: 1. Contract focuses on enhancing administrative management and general management consulting, indicating a need for operational efficiency. 2. The award was competed under SAP, suggesting a streamlined procurement process for this value range. 3. The contract duration of 729 days allows for sustained support and implementation of improvements. 4. The primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, a common area for federal efficiency initiatives. 5. The contract is a BPA Call, implying it's part of a larger pre-competed agreement, potentially reducing administrative burden. 6. The geographic location is Washington D.C., a hub for federal agencies and consulting services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $750,080.09 for a two-year period appears reasonable for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar administrative management consulting contracts within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The pricing structure, based on labor hours, allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to ensure efficient resource utilization. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the amount is not disproportionately high for the stated services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Small Acquisition Program), which typically allows for broader competition among eligible vendors. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, competition under SAP generally aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a range of qualified contractors. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple firms had the opportunity to bid, fostering a degree of price discovery and encouraging competitive proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down costs through a bidding process. This approach aims to secure the best value for the government by selecting from a pool of qualified offerors.

Public Impact

The Department of State is the primary beneficiary, expecting improved internal business processes and operational efficiency. Services delivered will focus on administrative management and general management consulting, aiming to streamline operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the Department of State's operations are largely based. Workforce implications may include the engagement of specialized consultants to advise on process improvements, potentially leading to internal staff training or restructuring.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if project objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on external consultants may not foster long-term internal capacity building if knowledge transfer is inadequate.
Ensuring the selected consultants possess the specific expertise required for the State Department's unique operational environment.

Positive Signals

The use of a BPA Call suggests a pre-vetted and potentially cost-effective procurement vehicle.
Competition under SAP indicates an effort to secure competitive pricing and qualified vendors.
The defined contract period allows for focused effort and measurable outcomes.

Sector Analysis

The federal consulting services market is substantial, with agencies frequently procuring expertise in administrative management and general management to improve efficiency and effectiveness. This contract falls within the broader professional services sector, which is characterized by a mix of large established firms and smaller specialized consultancies. Spending in this category is often driven by the need to adapt to changing regulations, implement new technologies, or optimize existing workflows. The State Department's investment aligns with a government-wide trend towards modernizing administrative functions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus is on larger, established consulting firms. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would be minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of State, responsible for monitoring performance, deliverables, and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract through performance standards and payment milestones tied to successful service delivery. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Services
Business Process Re-engineering
Program Management Support

Risk Flags

Potential for insufficient knowledge transfer
Risk of scope creep without strong oversight
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $750,800.09 to CENSEO CONSULTING GROUP, INC.. BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT CALL ORDER - PMSS BPA CALL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CENSEO CONSULTING GROUP, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $750,800.09.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-28. End: 2027-03-27.

What is the track record of Censeo Consulting Group, Inc. with the Department of State and other federal agencies?

Censeo Consulting Group, Inc. has a history of performing contracts with federal agencies, including the Department of State. Their past performance data, available through federal procurement databases, would detail the types of services rendered, contract values, and performance ratings. Analyzing their prior engagements, particularly those involving administrative management and business process improvement, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. A review of their award history can indicate their success in securing and executing government contracts, highlighting any patterns of successful delivery or potential areas of concern. Understanding their experience with similar agencies and contract types is crucial for assessing their suitability for this specific BPA Call.

How does the $750,080.09 contract value compare to similar business process improvement contracts awarded by the Department of State?

The $750,080.09 contract value for business process improvement services over approximately two years is a moderate investment for the Department of State. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against other contracts for similar services (e.g., administrative management consulting, operational efficiency improvements) awarded by the State Department or comparable agencies within the same timeframe. Factors such as contract duration, scope of work, and the specific expertise required influence pricing. If similar contracts for comparable scope and duration were awarded at significantly higher or lower values, it would indicate whether this award represents a particularly good or questionable use of funds. The 'competed under SAP' designation suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing within a streamlined acquisition process.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract, and how will success be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. However, for a 'BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT CALL ORDER,' typical KPIs would likely revolve around measurable improvements in efficiency, cost savings, reduction in processing times, enhanced user satisfaction, or successful implementation of new procedures. Success would be measured against these predefined metrics, often documented in a Performance Work Statement (PWS). The contracting officer's representative (COR) would be responsible for monitoring progress against these KPIs and formally accepting deliverables. The absence of explicit KPIs in the summary data necessitates a deeper dive into the contract's statement of work for a thorough assessment of performance expectations and measurement criteria.

What is the potential risk associated with relying on external consultants for business process improvement within the Department of State?

The primary risks associated with relying on external consultants for business process improvement include a potential lack of institutional knowledge, which can lead to recommendations that are not fully aligned with the agency's unique culture and operational realities. There's also a risk of 'scope creep,' where the project expands beyond its initial objectives, leading to increased costs and delays. Furthermore, if knowledge transfer is not adequately managed, the agency may become overly dependent on the consultants, failing to build internal capacity for sustained improvement. Finally, ensuring the consultants' recommendations are practical, implementable, and yield tangible, long-term benefits requires robust oversight and clear performance metrics. The State Department must actively manage these risks through strong contract administration and clear communication.

How does this contract align with the Department of State's broader strategic goals for modernization and efficiency?

This contract for business process improvement directly aligns with the Department of State's broader strategic goals for modernization and efficiency. Agencies across the federal government are under constant pressure to optimize operations, reduce waste, and improve service delivery in a fiscally constrained environment. By engaging consultants to analyze and enhance administrative management and general management processes, the State Department is proactively seeking ways to streamline its internal functions. This can lead to more effective resource allocation, faster response times, and improved overall performance, contributing to the agency's ability to execute its foreign policy and diplomatic missions more effectively. The investment in process improvement is a common strategy for achieving these modernization objectives.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM25Q0133

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1776 I ST NW STE 1030, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,712,931

Exercised Options: $1,141,146

Current Obligation: $750,800

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 19AQMM19A0279

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline