Treasury's $1M contract for international affairs technical assistance awarded via full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,004,199 ($1.0M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2023-03-22

End Date: 2027-04-06

Contract Duration: 1,476 days

Daily Burn Rate: $680/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PRENTKY, SCOTT BRAD NEW CONTRACT OFFICE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (RVNU)

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $1.0 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: PRENTKY, SCOTT BRAD NEW CONTRACT OFFICE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (RVNU) Key points: 1. Contract aims to provide technical assistance for international affairs, a critical area for economic diplomacy. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust market and potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract duration of nearly four years indicates a significant, long-term need for these services. 4. The cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract type allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring of costs. 5. The specific services and contractor are undisclosed, limiting immediate insight into value for money. 6. The contract's value is modest in the context of federal spending, but its impact on international initiatives is key.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $1 million over nearly four years is relatively small for federal contracts. Without knowing the specific services or the contractor's expertise, it's difficult to benchmark value effectively. However, the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure means that the government pays for allowable costs plus a negotiated fee, which can sometimes lead to higher overall costs if not managed tightly. Comparing this to similar technical assistance contracts for international affairs would require more detailed service descriptions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, theoretically leading to better pricing and quality. The fact that there were 9 bids received further supports the notion of a healthy competitive landscape for these services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among contractors, ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely international partners and organizations receiving technical assistance to enhance their capabilities. Services delivered are expected to support U.S. foreign policy objectives and economic engagement abroad. The geographic impact is international, focusing on countries or regions where technical assistance is deemed necessary. Workforce implications may include specialized expertise in international finance, development, or policy implementation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the specific services and the awarded contractor makes it difficult to assess performance risks.
The cost-plus-fixed-fee structure necessitates diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure efficiency.
The undisclosed nature of the awardee raises questions about potential conflicts of interest or specialized capabilities not publicly known.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a wide pool of qualified bidders and a fair process.
The contract duration of nearly four years implies a stable, long-term need and commitment to the program's objectives.
The existence of 9 bids indicates significant market interest and a competitive environment for this type of service.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on technical assistance for international affairs. This often involves expertise in areas such as economic development, financial regulation, or policy reform. The market for such services is global, with numerous firms specializing in international consulting and advisory roles. Benchmarking spending in this niche requires comparing it to similar contracts supporting diplomatic or development initiatives.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the nature of international affairs technical assistance, it is possible that larger, specialized firms are more likely to be awarded such contracts. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses have opportunities to participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the Department of the Treasury's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and the cost-plus-fixed-fee structure, requiring regular reporting and cost justification. Transparency is limited by the undisclosed nature of the contractor and specific services, but contract award data is publicly available.

Related Government Programs

USAID Technical Assistance Programs
Department of State International Programs
World Bank Advisory Services
IMF Technical Assistance

Risk Flags

Undisclosed Contractor
Limited Service Specificity
Potential for Cost Overruns (CPFF)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $1.0 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). PRENTKY, SCOTT BRAD NEW CONTRACT OFFICE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (RVNU)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $1.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-03-22. End: 2027-04-06.

What specific technical assistance services are being provided under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact nature of the technical assistance. However, given the agency (Department of the Treasury) and the classification of 'International Affairs,' these services likely pertain to areas such as economic policy advice, financial sector development, capacity building for foreign governments or institutions, or support for international financial negotiations. The 'COST NO FEE' (PT: COST NO FEE) designation in the original data seems to be a typo or misinterpretation, as the contract type is 'COST PLUS FIXED FEE' (implied by the structure of federal contracts and the need for a fee). A more accurate interpretation of the contract type would be CPFF, which covers allowable costs plus a fixed fee, indicating a need for detailed cost tracking and oversight to ensure value.

How does the contract value of approximately $1 million compare to similar international affairs technical assistance contracts?

A contract value of approximately $1 million over nearly four years is on the smaller side for federal contracts, especially those involving international engagement. Many technical assistance contracts, particularly those managed by agencies like USAID or the Department of State, can range from several million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scope, duration, and geographic focus. This particular contract's modest value might suggest a highly specialized, niche service, a limited geographic scope, or a pilot program. Without more specific details on the services rendered and the target beneficiaries, a precise comparison is challenging. However, it indicates a focused investment rather than a broad-based program.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for international technical assistance?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts, while offering flexibility for complex or evolving requirements, carry inherent risks. For international technical assistance, these risks include potential cost overruns if the contractor's estimated costs are inaccurate or if unforeseen challenges arise in the target countries. The 'fixed fee' component means the contractor's profit is predetermined, which can incentivize them to incur costs up to the allowable limit to maximize their return, rather than focusing solely on efficiency. Effective oversight by the government is crucial to scrutinize allowable costs, ensure the contractor is not incentivized to inflate expenses, and verify that the services delivered align with the contract's objectives and represent good value for taxpayer money.

What is the significance of 'International Affairs' as a category for this Treasury contract?

The 'International Affairs' designation signifies that the technical assistance provided under this contract is intended to support the Department of the Treasury's engagement with foreign governments, international financial institutions, or global economic initiatives. This could encompass a wide range of activities, such as advising on macroeconomic policy, strengthening financial regulatory frameworks, combating illicit finance, or facilitating international trade and investment. Such contracts are critical tools for advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives, promoting global economic stability, and protecting U.S. economic interests abroad. The Treasury plays a key role in these areas, making contracts under this category vital for its mission.

Given the undisclosed nature of the contractor, what are the implications for accountability and performance?

The lack of public disclosure regarding the specific contractor awarded this Treasury contract raises concerns about transparency and accountability. While the contract itself is a federal obligation, the inability to readily identify the entity performing the work makes it difficult for the public, watchdog groups, and even other government agencies to assess the contractor's track record, potential conflicts of interest, or specialized expertise relevant to international affairs. Accountability typically relies on performance metrics, reporting, and government oversight. Without knowing who the contractor is, it's harder to independently verify their qualifications or scrutinize their past performance on similar engagements, potentially weakening external accountability mechanisms.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › National Security and International Affairs › International Affairs

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 2032K822R00022

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,343,243

Exercised Options: $1,018,300

Current Obligation: $1,004,199

Actual Outlays: $682,328

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline