Millennium Challenge Corporation awards $868K contract for HR specialist services, with 3 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $868,560 ($868.6K)

Contractor: Linda Carolyn Easley

Awarding Agency: Millennium Challenge Corporation

Start Date: 2022-04-10

End Date: 2027-04-09

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $476/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST INTERMITTENT PSC | LINDA EASLEY

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20005

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Millennium Challenge Corporation obligated $868,560 to LINDA CAROLYN EASLEY for work described as: SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST INTERMITTENT PSC | LINDA EASLEY Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is a Time and Materials definitive contract, which can pose cost control risks. 3. The duration of 5 years indicates a long-term need for these specialized HR services. 4. The awardee is an individual, Linda Easley, which is unusual for a contract of this duration and value. 5. The PSC code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category. 6. The contract is for services in Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the specific nature of intermittent senior HR specialist services provided by an individual. The total value of $868,560 over five years averages to approximately $173,712 per year. Without more detailed information on the scope of work, hours expected, and the specific expertise required, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value. However, the award to an individual for a long-term, high-value contract warrants scrutiny regarding potential alternatives and cost-effectiveness compared to established firms or internal staffing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of three bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specific service. While three bidders are better than one, a higher number would typically indicate stronger price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition with three bidders provides some assurance that the government is receiving a reasonable price, but taxpayers may not be realizing the absolute lowest possible cost that could be achieved with a larger pool of interested parties.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which will receive specialized human resources support. Services delivered will focus on senior-level HR functions, likely including policy development, strategic planning, and advisory roles. The geographic impact is concentrated in Washington D.C., where the agency is located. Workforce implications include the direct engagement of an individual contractor to supplement the agency's HR capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Award to an individual for a long-term, high-value contract raises questions about sustainability and potential conflicts of interest.
Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The broad PSC code makes it difficult to ascertain the exact nature and necessity of the services.
Limited competition (3 bidders) may have resulted in a higher price than if more firms had competed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a fair process.
The contract duration of 5 years suggests a stable, ongoing need for these services.
The contract is for specialized HR expertise, which may be difficult to source internally or through standard procurement vehicles.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is vast and encompasses a wide range of specialized expertise. Contracts for human resources support fall within this broad category. The market for HR consulting and staffing services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized services. The value of this contract, while significant for an individual awardee, is relatively modest within the overall federal spending on professional services. Benchmarking against similar HR support contracts within the federal government would require detailed analysis of scope and deliverables.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the award is to an individual, it is unlikely that significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be generated through this specific contract. The focus is on direct service provision by the named individual.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight of this contract would primarily fall under the Millennium Challenge Corporation's contracting officer and program managers. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of hours, rates, and deliverables is crucial to ensure cost control and prevent overspending. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and performance reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Human Resources Management
Professional and Management Support Services
Intermittent Personal Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials Contract Type
Award to Individual
Long Contract Duration
Broad PSC Code

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Millennium Challenge Corporation awarded $868,560 to LINDA CAROLYN EASLEY. SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST INTERMITTENT PSC | LINDA EASLEY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LINDA CAROLYN EASLEY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Millennium Challenge Corporation (Millennium Challenge Corporation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $868,560.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-10. End: 2027-04-09.

What is the specific scope of work and expected deliverables for Linda Easley's services as a Senior Human Resources Specialist?

The provided data does not detail the specific scope of work or expected deliverables for Linda Easley's role. The contract is classified under PSC 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' which is a broad category. As a Senior Human Resources Specialist, her duties could range from strategic HR planning, policy development, employee relations, recruitment strategy, compensation analysis, to advising on complex HR issues. The 'intermittent' nature suggests her services are not required on a full-time, continuous basis but rather as needed. A detailed statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS) would typically outline these specifics, including expected hours, reporting requirements, and key performance indicators. Without this SOW/PWS, a precise understanding of the services rendered and their value is limited.

How does the $868,560 contract value compare to typical federal spending on senior HR consulting services?

Comparing this $868,560 contract value to typical federal spending on senior HR consulting requires context regarding the duration and scope. Over its five-year term, this contract averages approximately $173,712 annually. This figure is within the range for senior-level HR consulting engagements, especially those requiring specialized expertise or strategic advisory roles. However, federal spending on HR services is diverse, encompassing everything from large-scale HR system implementations to individual expert consultations. Many larger federal agencies procure HR services through indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or task orders that can reach millions of dollars. This specific contract's value is moderate, but its structure as a definitive contract awarded to an individual warrants closer examination against benchmarks for similar individual expert services or smaller consulting projects.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a five-year Time and Materials contract to an individual?

Awarding a five-year Time and Materials (T&M) contract to an individual presents several potential risks. Firstly, T&M contracts inherently carry a risk of cost escalation, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or profit. Without stringent oversight and well-defined ceilings, costs can exceed initial estimates. Secondly, awarding a long-term, high-value contract to an individual, rather than a company, can raise concerns about continuity of service, especially if the individual becomes unavailable due to illness, departure, or other reasons. It may also limit the agency's ability to scale services up or down efficiently. Furthermore, the lack of a corporate structure might mean fewer built-in quality controls or established processes compared to a contracting firm. Robust performance monitoring and clear task definitions are essential to mitigate these risks.

What does the 'intermittent' designation imply for the service delivery and cost management of this contract?

The 'intermittent' designation implies that the services of the Senior Human Resources Specialist are not required on a continuous, full-time basis. Instead, the contractor will be engaged as needed, likely based on specific project requirements, workload fluctuations, or the need for specialized expertise at particular times. This can be a cost-effective approach for the government if the need for the service is genuinely sporadic, as it avoids the overhead associated with a full-time employee. However, it also necessitates careful planning and demand forecasting by the Millennium Challenge Corporation to ensure that services are available when needed and that the contractor's time is utilized efficiently. For cost management, it means tracking actual hours worked against the contract's estimated needs and ensuring that the total expenditure remains within the contract's ceiling.

How does the Millennium Challenge Corporation typically procure professional and technical services?

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), like other federal agencies, procures professional and technical services through various contract vehicles. These can include full and open competition, sole-source awards (when justified), and utilizing government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) or other agency-specific contract vehicles. The choice of contract type (e.g., Firm-Fixed Price, Time and Materials, Cost-Plus) and competition level depends on the nature of the services, the level of risk, and market conditions. For specialized services like senior HR support, MCC might opt for competitive solicitations, potentially using task orders against existing IDIQs or issuing specific solicitations for unique requirements. The award to Linda Easley via definitive contract under full and open competition suggests a specific need that was addressed through a direct solicitation process, possibly because existing vehicles were not suitable or a specific individual's expertise was sought.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 95332422Q0016

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5218 KENSTAN DR, TEMPLE HILLS, MD, 20748

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $1,031,275

Exercised Options: $1,031,275

Current Obligation: $868,560

Actual Outlays: $221,829

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline