Millennium Challenge Corporation awards $500K contract for PDIA facilitation services to CPCS Transcom Limited

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $500,000 ($500.0K)

Contractor: Cpcs Transcom Limited

Awarding Agency: Millennium Challenge Corporation

Start Date: 2023-09-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,307 days

Daily Burn Rate: $383/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SERVICES TO ASSIST PDIA FACILITATION

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 $500,000 to CPCS TRANSCOM LIMITED for work described as: SERVICES TO ASSIST PDIA FACILITATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 2. Services are professional, scientific, and technical in nature, falling under a broad category. 3. The contract duration is over 3 years, suggesting a need for sustained support. 4. Awarded on a Time and Materials basis, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The small business status is not applicable, suggesting a focus on larger prime contractors. 6. The contract is competed, implying some level of market engagement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $500,000 over approximately 3 years is relatively modest. As a Time and Materials contract, the final cost is dependent on the hours worked and labor rates. Benchmarking value is difficult without specific labor categories and rates, but the overall value suggests a focused scope of services. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the market rates for the expertise required for PDIA facilitation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it was open to a broad range of potential offerors within the established BPA Call framework. While the exact number of bids received is not detailed, the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies that multiple bids were likely solicited and evaluated, fostering price discovery. The use of a BPA Call indicates that the initial competition for the BPA itself was likely robust.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP generally leads to more favorable pricing for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards, as it encourages multiple vendors to offer competitive bids.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and potentially partner countries receiving assistance through PDIA facilitation. The services delivered will support the facilitation of Program Development and Implementation Assistance (PDIA). The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., where the MCC is headquartered. Workforce implications are likely related to specialized consultants or technical experts in program development and facilitation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
The broad NAICS code (541990) makes it difficult to assess the specificity and necessity of the services without further detail.
Limited information on the specific deliverables makes it challenging to evaluate performance outcomes.

Positive Signals

The contract was competed, indicating a degree of market engagement and potential for competitive pricing.
Awarded via a BPA Call suggests a pre-vetted and potentially efficient procurement vehicle.
The contract duration of over 3 years allows for continuity of services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized consulting and support activities. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in program development, facilitation, and technical assistance. The value of this contract is relatively small within the broader federal contracting landscape for professional services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the procurement was likely open to all eligible offerors, including large businesses. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. The focus appears to be on securing the necessary expertise, regardless of the size of the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Millennium Challenge Corporation's contracting and program management offices. As a Time and Materials contract, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and deliverables will be crucial for accountability. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of contract performance and any modifications. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Program Development and Implementation Assistance (PDIA)
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Millennium Challenge Corporation Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
Broad NAICS code limits specificity of services without further detail.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in provided data.
Limited information on contractor's past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Millennium Challenge Corporation awarded $500,000 to CPCS TRANSCOM LIMITED. SERVICES TO ASSIST PDIA FACILITATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CPCS TRANSCOM LIMITED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $500,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the PDIA facilitation services required under this contract?

The specific nature of the PDIA facilitation services is not detailed in the provided data. PDIA typically involves assisting partner countries in developing and implementing effective programs, often related to economic development or governance. This could include activities such as needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, policy analysis, capacity building, and strategic planning support. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990) is very broad and encompasses a wide array of specialized consulting. To understand the precise services, one would need to review the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with this BPA Call award.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar services?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to evolve. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, T&M offers more flexibility but carries higher risk for the government regarding cost control. FFP contracts provide cost certainty but require a well-defined scope. For services like PDIA facilitation, where the exact effort might be uncertain, T&M can be appropriate if managed diligently. However, it necessitates robust oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure fair pricing for the labor hours expended. Other hybrid structures, like Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), also exist, balancing risk and flexibility differently.

What is the track record of CPCS Transcom Limited with the Millennium Challenge Corporation or similar agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of CPCS Transcom Limited with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) or similar agencies is not provided in the abbreviated data. To assess their track record, one would typically look at past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts. Databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be valuable resources for this analysis. Understanding their experience with PDIA or related facilitation services would also be key to evaluating their suitability for this contract.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for facilitation services?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for facilitation services is the potential for cost overruns. Since payment is based on direct labor hours at specified rates and actual material costs, there is less incentive for the contractor to control costs or complete the work efficiently. Without strong government oversight, contractors might bill for excessive hours or inflate labor rates. Additionally, defining and measuring the 'success' or 'effectiveness' of facilitation services can be more challenging under a T&M structure compared to a fixed-price contract with clearly defined deliverables and outcomes. This can make performance assessment more complex.

How does the $500,000 contract value compare to typical spending on PDIA facilitation services by federal agencies?

The $500,000 contract value is relatively modest for federal professional services, especially those supporting international development or complex program facilitation. Many federal agencies, particularly those involved in foreign aid, economic development, or large-scale program management, award contracts for similar services ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, sometimes significantly more. The Millennium Challenge Corporation itself may have larger contracts for broader program support. This specific award suggests a focused scope or a task order within a larger framework (like the BPA Call). Benchmarking requires comparing it to contracts with similar objectives, durations, and required expertise.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 979 BANK ST, OTTAWA

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,671,523

Exercised Options: $2,589,345

Current Obligation: $500,000

Actual Outlays: $24,734

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 95332422A0004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline