DHS awards $2.1M contract for environmental consulting services to AKTARIUS LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,085,316 ($2.1M)

Contractor: Aktarius LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2023-09-29

End Date: 2025-05-01

Contract Duration: 580 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ENVIRONMENTAL COMM SVS

Place of Performance

Location: PANAMA CITY, BAY County, FLORIDA, 32405

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.1 million to AKTARIUS LLC for work described as: ENVIRONMENTAL COMM SVS Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 3. Contract duration of 580 days indicates a medium-term engagement. 4. Services fall under 'Other Management Consulting Services,' a broad category. 5. Awarded by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, part of DHS. 6. Contractor AKTARIUS LLC is the sole awardee. 7. The contract is for services in Florida.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $2.09 million for environmental consulting services is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the scope of work. As a sole-source award, there's no direct comparison to competitive bids to assess value for money. The fixed-price nature provides some cost predictability, but the absence of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the most advantageous pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This significantly limits the number of potential bidders and removes the downward price pressure typically associated with open competition. The justification for a sole-source award is not provided, which is a key factor in understanding why other qualified firms were not considered.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive bidding process to ensure the best possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Homeland Security, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The services delivered are environmental consulting, likely related to compliance, assessment, or management. The geographic impact is focused on Florida, where the services will be performed. The contract supports the agency's operational and regulatory functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment.
Limited transparency into the sole-source justification.
Scope of 'Other Management Consulting Services' is broad and could lead to scope creep.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty.
Contract awarded to a single entity, simplifying management.
Specific geographic focus (Florida) may indicate targeted needs.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services represent a niche within the broader professional services sector. This contract falls under management consulting, specifically focusing on environmental aspects. The market for such services is diverse, ranging from large engineering firms to specialized environmental consultants. Benchmarking this contract's value is challenging without detailed scope, but federal spending on environmental consulting is significant across various agencies for regulatory compliance and project management.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false) and there is no indication of small business subcontracting requirements (sb: false). Therefore, this contract does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through prime awards or mandated subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. As a definitive contract, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and oversight. Transparency regarding the sole-source justification and performance monitoring would be key accountability measures. The Inspector General's office for DHS would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues arise.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Management and Consulting Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracts
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Lack of detailed scope of work hinders value assessment.
Contractor's federal performance history not readily available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.1 million to AKTARIUS LLC. ENVIRONMENTAL COMM SVS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AKTARIUS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-29. End: 2025-05-01.

What specific environmental services are being procured under this contract?

The contract specifies 'Other Management Consulting Services' with a Product Service Code (PSC) of 541618. While the PSC indicates a broad category of management consulting, the contract title 'ENVIRONMENTAL COMM SVS' strongly suggests the services are related to environmental compliance, assessment, permitting, or management. Without access to the detailed Statement of Work (SOW), the precise nature of the environmental consulting remains unspecified. This could range from environmental impact assessments for infrastructure projects to regulatory compliance advice for agency operations within Florida.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The provided data indicates the contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Federal procurement regulations allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. However, the specific justification for why AKTARIUS LLC was the only viable option for these environmental consulting services is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would require accessing the agency's justification documentation (e.g., a Justification and Approval - J&A document) to understand the rationale behind bypassing the competitive bidding process.

How does the contract value of approximately $2.1 million compare to similar environmental consulting contracts?

Direct comparison of the $2.1 million contract value is challenging without knowing the specific scope of work and duration. Environmental consulting projects can vary dramatically in cost based on complexity, deliverables, and required expertise. For instance, a simple environmental site assessment would cost significantly less than a comprehensive environmental impact statement for a major infrastructure project. As this was a sole-source award, there are no comparable bids to benchmark against. To assess value, one would need to compare the proposed deliverables and hourly rates (if applicable) against industry standards for similar, competitively procured services.

What is the track record of AKTARIUS LLC in performing federal environmental consulting contracts?

Information on AKTARIUS LLC's specific track record for federal environmental consulting contracts is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their performance history, one would need to examine federal contract databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past awards to AKTARIUS LLC, particularly those related to environmental services or management consulting. Reviewing past performance evaluations, contract close-out reports, and any documented issues or successes would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability in fulfilling government requirements. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their experience level and past performance.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for environmental consulting?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for money due to the absence of competition. This can manifest as higher prices than might be achieved through a competitive process. Additionally, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of market research or planning by the agency, potentially limiting the pool of qualified contractors. For specialized services like environmental consulting, there's also a risk that the chosen contractor may not possess the most innovative or cost-effective solutions available in the broader market. Transparency regarding the justification is crucial to mitigate concerns about fairness and efficiency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 243 SOUTHWOOD DR, PANAMA CITY, FL, 32405

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Native Hawaiian Organization Owned Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,085,316

Exercised Options: $2,085,316

Current Obligation: $2,085,316

Actual Outlays: $2,085,316

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline