GSA awards $17.7M consulting services BPA task order to ICF Inc. for administrative and management support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,692,721 ($17.7M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-09-21

End Date: 2025-03-21

Contract Duration: 1,277 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: MIGRATED ACQUISITION ID 47QFDA21K0011-0007 (ID11210010006) EPA BPA TASK ORDER 06 AGAINST BPA GS00F010CA (ID11210010)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20460

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $17.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: MIGRATED ACQUISITION ID 47QFDA21K0011-0007 (ID11210010006) EPA BPA TASK ORDER 06 AGAINST BPA GS00F010CA (ID11210010) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 2. Awarded under a broader BPA, this task order suggests a streamlined procurement process for ongoing needs. 3. The duration of the contract (over 3 years) points to a sustained requirement for the services provided. 4. The task order was awarded through full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process. 5. The services are categorized under NAICS code 541611, which covers management consulting services. 6. The contract is a BPA Call, meaning it's a task order against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. 7. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting the scope may be broad or require specialized capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $17.7 million for administrative management and general management consulting services over approximately 3.5 years appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale consulting contracts awarded by GSA or other federal agencies for management support would provide a more precise value assessment. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a detailed value-for-money analysis is limited, but the competitive award process suggests a degree of price discovery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a BPA that was itself competed using full and open competition. This indicates that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid on the underlying BPA, and subsequently, task orders issued against it are typically awarded based on pre-established terms and conditions, often through a best-value or lowest-price technically acceptable evaluation. The specific competition for this task order would depend on the BPA's structure, but the initial full and open competition for the BPA suggests a robust market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition for the BPA ensures that taxpayers benefit from a wide range of potential providers, driving competitive pricing and potentially higher quality services through market forces.

Public Impact

Federal agencies requiring administrative and management consulting services benefit from the expertise provided. The services likely support the operational efficiency and effectiveness of government programs. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting federal agency operations across various departments. The contract supports a workforce of consultants, contributing to employment in the professional services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if not clearly defined within the BPA task order.
Reliance on a single contractor (ICF Inc.) for a significant duration may limit future flexibility.
Ensuring consistent quality and performance over the contract term requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market for these services.
Leverages an existing BPA, suggesting efficient procurement and potential cost savings.
ICF Incorporated is a known entity in the federal consulting space, implying established capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is a significant part of the federal procurement landscape. Agencies frequently contract for these services to improve efficiency, implement new policies, and manage complex projects. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for specialized expertise that may not be available in-house. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large consulting contracts awarded by GSA and other agencies for similar services, often falling within the professional services category.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by the 'sb': false field. This suggests that the scope of work or the required expertise was deemed to be better suited for larger firms, or that the competition was open to all qualified bidders regardless of size. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data, which could be a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically the Federal Acquisition Service, which awarded the BPA. The task order itself would be managed by the agency that issued the call against the BPA. Accountability measures would be defined in the task order's performance work statement and monitored through regular progress reports and performance evaluations. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Commercialization Services
Professional Services Schedule (PSS)

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to multi-year duration.
Need for robust oversight to ensure performance and value.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $17.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. MIGRATED ACQUISITION ID 47QFDA21K0011-0007 (ID11210010006) EPA BPA TASK ORDER 06 AGAINST BPA GS00F010CA (ID11210010)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-21. End: 2025-03-21.

What specific types of administrative and management consulting services are being procured under this task order?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541611, which covers Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. This broad category typically includes services such as strategic planning, organizational design, process improvement, program management support, and general administrative support. Without the specific task order document, the precise nature of the services remains general. However, these services are crucial for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of federal agency operations, often involving analysis, recommendations, and implementation support for various management challenges.

How does the $17.7 million award compare to typical spending for similar consulting services by the GSA?

The $17.7 million award for a task order over approximately 3.5 years represents a significant, but not unusual, investment for comprehensive consulting services. GSA frequently awards large contracts for professional services, including management consulting, to support its own operations and those of other federal agencies. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this award to other BPA task orders or individual contracts issued under similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541611) by GSA or other large civilian agencies. The total value suggests a substantial scope of work, likely involving multiple consultants and extended support periods, aligning with the typical scale of major federal consulting engagements.

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 deliverables for this particular task order. Typically, these would be detailed within the Performance Work Statement (PWS) of the task order itself. For administrative and management consulting services, common deliverables might include strategic plans, organizational assessments, process improvement reports, program evaluations, or implementation guidance. KPIs would likely focus on the timeliness of deliverables, the quality of recommendations, the achievement of stated project objectives, and client satisfaction. Robust oversight by the contracting officer's representative (COR) is essential to monitor performance against these undefined metrics.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with federal consulting contracts, particularly with GSA?

ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of serving federal agencies, including the General Services Administration (GSA). They have a broad portfolio of contracts across various sectors, including environmental, energy, health, and IT consulting, in addition to management and administrative support. Their experience with GSA likely includes numerous task orders issued under various Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) and Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts. A detailed review of their contract history in federal procurement databases would reveal the volume and types of services they have provided, their performance ratings, and any past issues or commendations.

What is the potential risk associated with awarding a multi-year task order to a single contractor?

Awarding a multi-year task order to a single contractor, such as ICF Inc. in this case, carries inherent risks. One primary risk is vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly reliant on the contractor, potentially limiting flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing requirements. There's also a risk of complacency or reduced innovation if the contractor faces minimal competitive pressure during the contract term. Furthermore, if the contractor's performance declines or they face financial instability, the agency could experience significant disruption. Mitigating these risks involves strong contract management, clear performance expectations, regular performance reviews, and potentially incorporating options for early termination or re-competition if performance is unsatisfactory.

How does this contract fit into GSA's broader strategy for providing administrative and management support services?

This task order fits within GSA's broader strategy of acting as a central service provider for the federal government, offering a wide range of procurement and management solutions. By establishing BPAs like the one this task order is under, GSA aims to streamline the acquisition process for common services, allowing agencies to quickly obtain needed support. For administrative and management consulting, GSA's strategy is to leverage its contracting expertise to ensure agencies have access to qualified vendors, competitive pricing, and efficient service delivery. This particular award supports that mission by fulfilling a specific agency need through a pre-competed and managed vehicle.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFDA21Q0125

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,321,553

Exercised Options: $21,222,404

Current Obligation: $17,692,721

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 13

Total Subaward Amount: $1,361,851

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFDA21A0006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline