USDA awarded $44.7M for management consulting, with 6 bids received

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,673,177 ($44.7M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2009-08-03

End Date: 2013-10-15

Contract Duration: 1,534 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.1K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAS::12 0403::TAS BROADBAND- ARRA

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20250

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $44.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: TAS::12 0403::TAS BROADBAND- ARRA Key points: 1. Analysis indicates a competitive bidding process for this contract. 2. The contract duration of over 4 years suggests a significant project scope. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty but could limit flexibility. 4. The administrative management and general management consulting services are broad. 5. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. may indicate a specific program need. 6. The award was a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $44.7 million over approximately four years averages to about $11.2 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale management consulting contracts for federal agencies is challenging without more specific service details. However, the fixed-price nature suggests an attempt to control costs. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and outcomes against the price paid, which is not detailed here.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. With 6 bids received, the competition level appears moderate, suggesting a reasonable degree of market interest and potential for price discovery. The presence of multiple bidders generally supports the notion that the government sought competitive pricing and a range of qualified offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process with multiple bidders helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging high-quality service delivery.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the programs managed by the Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service, which would receive enhanced administrative and management support. The services delivered are administrative management and general management consulting, aimed at improving operational efficiency and program effectiveness. The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., suggesting support for agency-level operations or specific D.C.-based initiatives. Workforce implications could include the utilization of consulting professionals from ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., and potentially their subcontractors, contributing to employment in the professional services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in broad management consulting contracts if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical management functions could pose a risk if performance falters.
The fixed-price nature might disincentivize innovation or additional efforts beyond the defined scope.

Positive Signals

Competitive award process suggests a fair market approach and potential for good value.
The fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the agency.
A duration of over four years indicates a stable, long-term need for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. This is a significant sector for federal spending, supporting a wide range of agency functions from strategic planning to operational improvements. The market for federal management consulting is competitive, with numerous firms vying for contracts. The size of this award, $44.7 million, places it as a substantial contract within this category.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., is likely a large business. There is no direct information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this specific delivery order. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether ICF utilizes small business subcontractors, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Management and Consulting Services
Administrative Support Services
Federal IT Consulting
Program Management Support
Rural Development Programs

Risk Flags

Broad service description may lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.
Fixed-price contracts can sometimes limit flexibility in adapting to evolving needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data hinders detailed value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $44.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. TAS::12 0403::TAS BROADBAND- ARRA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Rural Housing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-08-03. End: 2013-10-15.

What specific management and administrative challenges was the Rural Housing Service attempting to address with this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact management and administrative challenges the Rural Housing Service aimed to address. However, contracts for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611) typically support agencies in areas such as strategic planning, organizational efficiency, process improvement, policy development, and program implementation. Given the agency's focus on rural housing, this contract likely supported efforts to enhance the delivery, management, or oversight of housing programs and initiatives, potentially involving operational reviews, system enhancements, or strategic guidance to improve service delivery to rural communities.

How does the $44.7 million award compare to typical spending on management consulting by the USDA or similar agencies?

Comparing the $44.7 million award requires context on the duration and scope. As a delivery order awarded in 2009 and ending in 2013, the annual average spending was approximately $11.2 million. This figure is substantial but not necessarily out of line for large-scale, multi-year management consulting engagements supporting major federal programs. Many federal agencies, particularly those with complex operational mandates like the USDA, allocate significant budgets to external expertise for strategic planning, IT modernization, and program management. Benchmarking would ideally involve comparing this to other USDA contracts for similar services or consulting spending by agencies of comparable size and mission.

What is the track record of ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. in performing federal management consulting contracts?

ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of performing federal contracts across various agencies and service areas, including management consulting. While this specific contract was awarded in 2009, ICF has consistently secured and executed numerous contracts with federal entities. Their performance history on other contracts, available through federal procurement data systems, would provide a more comprehensive view of their capabilities, client satisfaction, and adherence to contract terms. Generally, their broad presence suggests a capacity to handle complex projects, though individual contract performance can vary.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. However, for a contract classified under 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services,' typical deliverables might include strategic plans, operational assessments, process improvement recommendations, organizational structure analyses, policy documents, training materials, or reports on program effectiveness. Performance would likely be evaluated based on the quality, timeliness, and impact of these deliverables, as well as the contractor's ability to provide expert advice and support to agency personnel.

Were there any notable challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this contract?

Information regarding specific challenges or issues encountered during the performance of this particular contract is not available in the provided data summary. Contract performance issues, such as delays, cost overruns (less likely with fixed-price), or quality deficiencies, are typically documented in contract performance reports or through contract close-out documentation. Without access to such detailed records or any associated contract disputes or modifications, it is not possible to identify any notable performance challenges for this specific award.

How did the fixed-price contract type influence the cost and scope management of this engagement?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, like the one used here, establishes a ceiling price that the contractor must not exceed. This shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor, providing the government with cost certainty. For this $44.7 million contract, the FFP structure likely incentivized ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. to manage its resources efficiently to maintain profitability. It also means that the scope of work was clearly defined upfront, as any significant changes or additions would typically require a formal contract modification, potentially involving price adjustments. This structure encourages careful scope definition and management by both parties.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: AG-31ME-S-07-1031

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc. (UEI: 139001544)

Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,673,177

Exercised Options: $44,673,177

Current Obligation: $44,673,177

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F8182H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline