GSA awards $20.2M contract for unaccompanied children prevention of sexual abuse audit services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,118,241 ($20.1M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-10-11

End Date: 2026-10-10

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE AUDIT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20405

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $20.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE AUDIT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical child welfare services, addressing a sensitive area of public concern. 2. The contract is a delivery order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle, suggesting potential for future task orders. 3. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) are the core services procured. 4. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these specialized audit services. 5. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 6. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, implying a broad search for qualified vendors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $20.2 million over five years for specialized audit services appears reasonable, especially given the sensitive nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar contracts for child welfare audits or consulting services in this specific niche is challenging due to limited public data. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the government has negotiated a set price, which can be advantageous if the scope of work is well-defined. The number of bids received (3) provides some indication of market interest, but a deeper analysis of the bid prices would be needed for a more precise value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The solicitation likely involved a broad outreach to potential contractors. The fact that three bids were received suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific delivery order. While three bidders indicate some choice, it is not as robust as a competition with a significantly higher number of offers, which could potentially drive prices lower.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it aims to secure the best value by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions. The presence of three bidders suggests that taxpayers are likely receiving a fair price, though further analysis of the bid spread could confirm this.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are unaccompanied children, with the services aimed at preventing sexual abuse and ensuring their safety. The services delivered include specialized audits to assess and improve prevention strategies. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contract is registered. The contract supports the government's commitment to child welfare and protection, potentially influencing policy and practice in this area.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if audit requirements are not precisely defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for a critical child protection function could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring the contractor's personnel have the necessary expertise and sensitivity for dealing with child welfare issues.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market search.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
The long duration suggests a sustained commitment to addressing the issue of sexual abuse prevention.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management and consulting. The market for such services is broad, but contracts focused on child welfare audits are niche. The General Services Administration (GSA) often acts as a procurement agent for other federal agencies, leveraging its expertise to secure services like these. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific data on similar audit services for child protection programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific delivery order. The absence of a small business set-aside means that opportunities for small businesses to participate as prime contractors were not prioritized for this particular award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the agency that benefits from the audit services, likely under the GSA's Federal Acquisition Service. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight by locking in costs. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide public access to contract awards. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the ultimate agency utilizing these audit services.

Related Government Programs

Child Welfare Services
Federal Audit Services
Consulting Services
GSA Federal Acquisition Service Contracts

Risk Flags

Sensitive Subject Matter
Potential for Performance Issues
Contract Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $20.1 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE AUDIT

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 $20.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-11. End: 2026-10-10.

What is the track record of ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. in providing similar audit or consulting services, particularly in the child welfare sector?

ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. is a well-established government contractor with a broad range of services, including management consulting and program support. While specific details on their past performance for 'unaccompanied children prevention of sexual abuse audits' are not readily available in this summary, ICF has a history of working on complex social services and public health initiatives for various federal agencies. Their experience likely includes conducting assessments, program evaluations, and providing strategic recommendations. A deeper dive into their contract history and client feedback would be necessary to fully assess their specific expertise and performance in this sensitive area. Given their size and tenure, it is probable they have undertaken related work, but the direct match to this precise service requires further investigation.

How does the awarded amount of $20.2 million compare to similar federal contracts for child welfare audits or related consulting services?

Directly comparable federal contract data for 'unaccompanied children prevention of sexual abuse audits' is scarce, making precise benchmarking difficult. However, general consulting and audit services for social programs can range significantly in cost depending on scope, duration, and complexity. A five-year contract valued at approximately $4 million per year for specialized audit services in a sensitive area like child protection is not inherently excessive. Larger, more comprehensive program evaluations or management consulting contracts for federal agencies can easily exceed this amount. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government has negotiated a defined cost, which aids in value assessment. Without more specific contract comparables, it's reasonable to consider this within a typical range for specialized, long-term federal consulting engagements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?

Key risks include the potential for the contractor to lack the specialized expertise required for sensitive child welfare issues, leading to ineffective audits. Another risk is scope creep, where the audit requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, potentially increasing costs or delaying outcomes. Performance risk, where the contractor fails to deliver quality services, is also present. Mitigation strategies likely include rigorous contractor vetting during the full and open competition, clear definition of the Statement of Work (SOW), performance monitoring by a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), and regular progress reviews. The firm fixed-price contract also incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and scope effectively. Ensuring personnel have appropriate clearances and sensitivity training would be crucial.

How effective are audits in preventing sexual abuse among unaccompanied children, and what is the expected impact of this contract?

Audits serve as a critical oversight mechanism to assess the effectiveness of existing prevention programs, identify gaps, and recommend improvements. By evaluating current policies, procedures, and implementation, these audits can highlight areas where sexual abuse risks are higher and suggest targeted interventions. The expected impact of this contract is to provide the government with an independent, expert assessment of its prevention strategies. This assessment should lead to data-driven recommendations for enhancing protective measures, improving training for staff, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Ultimately, the goal is to strengthen the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children by making prevention efforts more robust and effective.

What are the historical spending patterns for services related to the prevention of sexual abuse for unaccompanied children by the federal government?

Historical spending data specifically for 'prevention of sexual abuse audits' for unaccompanied children is not easily isolated within public databases. Federal spending in child welfare and related protective services is substantial, often managed through agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), particularly its Administration for Children and Families (ACF). These agencies fund a variety of programs aimed at child protection, case management, and support services. While direct spending on this specific audit function may not be a distinct line item historically, it is likely subsumed within broader program oversight, evaluation, or consulting budgets. The current contract suggests a recognized need and potentially an increase in dedicated focus or funding for this specific type of audit.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFDA21Q0069

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLAZA, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,629,841

Exercised Options: $20,714,831

Current Obligation: $20,118,241

Actual Outlays: $-333,178

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F010CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline