NEA awards $180K for HR consulting to address staffing transitions and evolving policy needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $180,000 ($180.0K)

Contractor: Inevitable Consulting Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: National Endowment for the Arts

Start Date: 2025-09-22

End Date: 2026-09-11

Contract Duration: 354 days

Daily Burn Rate: $508/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO ADDRESS AGENCY SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS RESULTING FROM SIGNIFICANT STAFFING TRANSITIONS, EVOLVING FEDERAL HR POLICY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES TO MEET EXECUTIVE ORDERS MANDATES. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20506

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Endowment for the Arts obligated $180,000 to INEVITABLE CONSULTING SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: TO ADDRESS AGENCY SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS RESULTING FROM SIGNIFICANT STAFFING TRANSITIONS, EVOLVING FEDERAL HR POLICY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES TO MEET EXECUTIVE ORDERS MANDATES. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK) Key points: 1. Contract addresses critical agency needs stemming from staffing changes and new HR policies. 2. Focus on compliance with executive orders indicates a need for specialized expertise. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the agency. 4. A single award suggests potential limitations in competition or a specific need for the contractor's expertise. 5. The duration of the contract aligns with the scope of organizational transitions. 6. This award falls within the broader category of professional services supporting federal operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $180,000 for approximately one year of HR consulting services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of addressing organizational needs, evolving federal HR policy, and executive order mandates. Benchmarking against similar HR consulting contracts for federal agencies of similar size and scope would provide a more definitive assessment of value. Without specific details on the deliverables and the complexity of the staffing transitions, it is difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. However, the price seems within a plausible range for targeted HR support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating it was likely awarded on a sole-source basis or through other non-competitive means. The absence of a competitive bidding process means that the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) did not explore multiple vendor options. This approach may be justified if Inevitable Consulting Solutions LLC possesses unique qualifications, a pre-existing relationship, or specialized knowledge critical to the agency's specific needs related to staffing transitions and executive order compliance. However, it limits the potential for price discovery through market competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award means taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that could arise from a competitive bidding process, where multiple firms vie for the contract.

Public Impact

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) benefits directly through improved HR operations and compliance. Agency staff will receive support during significant transitions, potentially improving morale and efficiency. The services aim to ensure the NEA remains compliant with federal HR policies and executive orders. Workforce implications include support for existing staff and potentially the integration of new personnel or processes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
The specific expertise of Inevitable Consulting Solutions LLC is not publicly detailed, raising questions about the necessity of a sole-source award.
The scope of 'significant staffing transitions' and 'evolving federal HR policy requirements' is broad and could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

The contract directly addresses critical agency needs related to staffing and policy compliance.
The firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the NEA.
The contract duration appears aligned with the stated objectives of managing transitions and policy implementation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on human resources consulting. This sector is vital for federal agencies, providing specialized expertise to manage complex organizational challenges, regulatory compliance, and workforce development. The market for HR consulting is competitive, with numerous firms offering services ranging from strategic planning to operational support. The value of this contract, $180,000, is relatively modest within the broader federal HR consulting landscape, suggesting a targeted engagement rather than a large-scale transformation project.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Inevitable Consulting Solutions LLC and does not appear to have a small business set-aside component (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, this award does not directly contribute to the government's small business utilization goals through a set-aside mechanism. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral in this instance, as the contract was not specifically targeted towards small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Endowment for the Arts' contracting officers and program managers responsible for HR functions. As a purchase order, it falls under the agency's internal procurement and financial controls. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of detailed public justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or alleged.

Related Government Programs

Human Resources Management Services
Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Commercialization Services
Professional Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit competition and potentially increase costs.
Lack of detailed public justification for sole-source award.
Scope of 'staffing transitions' and 'evolving policies' is broad and requires careful management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Endowment for the Arts awarded $180,000 to INEVITABLE CONSULTING SOLUTIONS LLC. TO ADDRESS AGENCY SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS RESULTING FROM SIGNIFICANT STAFFING TRANSITIONS, EVOLVING FEDERAL HR POLICY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES TO MEET EXECUTIVE ORDERS MANDATES. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT OF WORK)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INEVITABLE CONSULTING SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Endowment for the Arts (National Endowment for the Arts).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $180,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-22. End: 2026-09-11.

What specific HR policy requirements and executive order mandates is this contract intended to address?

The provided data indicates the contract aims to address 'AGENCY SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS RESULTING FROM SIGNIFICANT STAFFING TRANSITIONS, EVOLVING FEDERAL HR POLICY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES TO MEET EXECUTIVE ORDERS MANDATES.' However, the specific executive orders and HR policies are not detailed in the provided information. Typically, such mandates could include directives on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), telework policies, employee performance management reforms, or changes in federal workforce structure and compensation. The Statement of Work (SOW), referenced but not provided, would contain the granular details of these requirements. Without the SOW, the precise nature of the policy challenges remains unspecified, making it difficult to fully assess the necessity and scope of the consulting services.

How does the $180,000 contract value compare to similar HR consulting services for federal agencies of comparable size?

Benchmarking the $180,000 contract value requires comparing it to similar HR consulting engagements for federal agencies of comparable size and scope. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is a relatively small agency. HR consulting needs can vary widely, from strategic workforce planning to specific compliance issues. A contract of this value might be considered moderate for addressing targeted needs over a period of approximately one year. Larger agencies might award multi-million dollar contracts for comprehensive HR system overhauls or large-scale change management initiatives. For an agency like the NEA, focusing on staffing transitions and evolving policies, $180,000 could represent a fair price for specialized expertise, assuming the scope is well-defined and the deliverables are achievable within the budget. A more precise comparison would necessitate access to data on other sole-source or competed HR consulting contracts awarded to agencies within the NEA's funding and staffing range.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

Awarding this contract on a sole-source basis carries several potential risks. Firstly, the primary risk is the lack of price competition, which could lead to the government paying a higher price than if multiple vendors had competed. Taxpayers may not receive the best value for their money. Secondly, without a competitive process, there's a reduced assurance that Inevitable Consulting Solutions LLC is the most qualified or capable vendor for the specific needs, even if they possess unique expertise. The agency might miss out on innovative solutions or more efficient approaches offered by other firms. Thirdly, sole-source awards can sometimes raise perceptions of impropriety or favoritism, even if the award is justified. Robust justification and documentation are crucial to mitigate these risks and demonstrate that the sole-source decision was made in the government's best interest.

What is the track record of Inevitable Consulting Solutions LLC in performing federal HR consulting services?

Information regarding the specific track record of Inevitable Consulting Solutions LLC in performing federal HR consulting services is not detailed in the provided data. As the contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, the justification for this award would typically rely on the agency's assessment of the contractor's past performance, unique qualifications, or existing relationship. To fully assess the contractor's reliability and capability, one would need to review their contract history with the federal government, including past performance evaluations, any awards or commendations received, and any instances of contract disputes or terminations. Without this specific performance data, it is difficult to gauge their experience and success rate in similar engagements.

How does the duration of the contract (354 days) align with the stated objectives of addressing staffing transitions and evolving HR policies?

The contract duration of 354 days, which is just under a full year, appears reasonably aligned with the stated objectives of addressing 'significant staffing transitions' and 'evolving federal HR policy requirements.' Such initiatives often require a sustained period of analysis, planning, implementation, and support. A duration of this length allows the contractor sufficient time to understand the agency's unique organizational context, diagnose issues related to staffing changes, research and interpret new HR policies and executive orders, develop recommendations, and assist in their implementation. It also provides a reasonable timeframe for the agency to absorb and integrate the consulting support. A much shorter duration might be insufficient for meaningful change, while an excessively long contract could indicate a lack of clear objectives or potential for inefficiency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 59310525S0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2915 WESTBROOK LN, BOWIE, MD, 20721

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $180,000

Exercised Options: $180,000

Current Obligation: $180,000

Actual Outlays: $66,240

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline