Chickasaw Management Services awarded $26.1M for administrative support, with limited competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,162,276 ($26.2M)
Contractor: Chickasaw Management Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2020-08-03
End Date: 2024-02-03
Contract Duration: 1,279 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $26.2 million to CHICKASAW MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $26.1M for administrative and business support services. 2. Awarded to Chickasaw Management Services, LLC. 3. Contract duration of 1279 days. 4. Services provided under NAICS code 561110 (Office Administrative Services). 5. Contract type is Time and Materials. 6. Awarded by the Department of Energy. 7. No small business set-aside was utilized. 8. Geographic location of performance is Washington D.C.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $26.1M for administrative and business support services over approximately 3.5 years appears to be within a reasonable range for the scope of services. However, without specific details on the deliverables and the labor mix, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for office administrative services is difficult due to the lack of detailed service descriptions and the 'not available for competition' status, which may have impacted 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 limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract. The absence of multiple bidders means the government did not benefit from competitive pressures to drive down prices or improve service offerings.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in taxpayers paying a premium as there is no competitive pressure to ensure the lowest possible price for the services rendered.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from consistent administrative and business support services. Office administrative services are delivered to support the agency's operations. The geographic impact is primarily within Washington D.C., where the services are performed. The contract supports the workforce of Chickasaw Management Services, LLC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and lack of innovation.
- Time and Materials contract type can incentivize longer durations and higher costs if not closely managed.
- Lack of transparency regarding the specific services and performance metrics makes oversight difficult.
Positive Signals
- Consistent administrative support ensures the smooth functioning of the Department of Energy.
- The contractor, Chickasaw Management Services, LLC, is providing a necessary service.
- The contract duration suggests a potentially stable, long-term need for these services.
Sector Analysis
Administrative and business support services represent a significant segment of government contracting. This contract falls under the Office Administrative Services category (NAICS 561110). While specific market size data for this exact niche is not readily available, the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector is vast. Government spending in this area is crucial for operational efficiency across various agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific tasks performed and the labor categories involved.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The sole-source nature of the award further limits opportunities for small businesses to participate in this particular contract. This means the direct economic benefit to the small business ecosystem from this specific award is likely minimal.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) at the Department of Energy, responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract's performance clauses and payment terms. Transparency could be enhanced by making detailed service requirements and performance reports publicly available, though this is often limited for administrative support contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Support Services
- Office Operations Support
- Professional and Business Services
- Department of Energy Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Time and Materials contract type
- Lack of detailed performance metrics
Tags
administrative-support, business-services, department-of-energy, sole-source, time-and-materials, office-administrative-services, washington-dc, large-contract, non-competed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $26.2 million to CHICKASAW MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC. ADMINISTRATIVE AND BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CHICKASAW MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $26.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-08-03. End: 2024-02-03.
What is the specific breakdown of services provided under this administrative support contract?
The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 561110, Office Administrative Services. This typically encompasses a range of support functions such as general office management, recordkeeping, scheduling, correspondence management, and potentially basic human resources or financial administration support. However, the specific tasks, deliverables, and performance standards are not detailed in the provided summary. A more granular understanding would require reviewing the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS), which would outline the precise duties expected of Chickasaw Management Services, LLC and the metrics by which their performance would be evaluated.
How does the $26.1M contract value compare to similar administrative support contracts awarded by the Department of Energy or other agencies?
Benchmarking the $26.1M contract value is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services, duration, and labor mix. However, for context, federal agencies frequently award contracts for administrative and business support. Contracts of this magnitude are not uncommon for multi-year support services across various agencies. The Department of Energy, like other large federal bodies, requires substantial administrative support. A direct comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes, service levels, and geographic locations, while also accounting for differences in contract type (e.g., Firm-Fixed-Price vs. Time and Materials) and competition levels. The sole-source nature of this award suggests that direct price comparisons with competitively bid contracts may not be entirely appropriate.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, Time and Materials contract for administrative services?
The primary risks associated with a sole-source, Time and Materials (T&M) contract for administrative services include potential cost overruns and a lack of competitive pressure to ensure efficiency. Since the contract was not competed, the government may not have secured the best possible price. The T&M structure, by its nature, reimburses the contractor for direct labor hours and materials used, which can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not rigorously monitored. Without strong oversight and clearly defined ceilings, costs can escalate beyond initial expectations. Furthermore, the absence of competition reduces the incentive for the contractor to innovate or proactively seek cost-saving measures.
What is the track record of Chickasaw Management Services, LLC in performing federal contracts?
Information on the specific track record of Chickasaw Management Services, LLC in performing federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their performance history, one would typically look at past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), any past disputes or contract terminations, and the types and values of previous contracts they have held. A thorough review would involve examining their history with the Department of Energy and other agencies to understand their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to contract terms. Without this historical data, it's difficult to definitively assess their past performance.
How does the duration of the contract (1279 days) align with typical administrative support needs?
A contract duration of 1279 days, which is approximately 3.5 years, is a substantial period and aligns with the expectation that administrative support services are often ongoing and essential for the day-to-day operations of a federal agency like the Department of Energy. Such durations suggest a stable, long-term requirement for these functions. While shorter-term contracts might be used for specific projects, longer durations are common for core support services that need to be consistently available. The length also implies a level of trust or established relationship, although it is tempered by the sole-source award.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 89243120RSC000036
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2600 JOHN SAXON BLVD STE 2215, NORMAN, OK, 73071
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Government, HUBZone Firm, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $26,169,808
Exercised Options: $26,169,808
Current Obligation: $26,162,276
Actual Outlays: $25,650,423
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-08-03
Current End Date: 2024-02-03
Potential End Date: 2024-02-03 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2024-09-10
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