Cadmus Group LLC contract for administrative management services awarded by EPA for $36.4M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,430,600 ($36.4M)

Contractor: THE Cadmus Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2002-07-15

End Date: 2007-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,995 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Place of Performance

Location: WATERTOWN, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02472

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $36.4 million to THE CADMUS GROUP LLC for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract value of $36.4 million over approximately 5.5 years indicates a significant investment in management consulting. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 3. The 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code points to a broad scope of potential services. 4. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 5. The contract duration of nearly 2000 days suggests a long-term need for these services. 6. The absence of small business set-aside flags indicates the primary award was not specifically targeted to small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $36.4 million over 5.5 years averages to approximately $6.6 million annually. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it's challenging to benchmark value definitively. However, for administrative management and general management consulting services, this annual spend is within a reasonable range for a federal agency of the EPA's size. The CPFF structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee and overall project scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically suggests a competitive environment where multiple companies vied for the contract. The number of bidders is not specified, but the designation implies a fair process aimed at achieving the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality, ensuring the government receives optimal value for its expenditure.

Public Impact

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving administrative and management consulting support. Services likely encompass strategic planning, operational efficiency improvements, and general management support for EPA programs. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting EPA's nationwide environmental protection mission. Workforce implications could include support for EPA staff in management functions and potential augmentation of agency capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs to reach the fixed fee.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the services provided.
The broad NAICS code could lead to scope creep if not managed tightly by the agency.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield good value.
The contract duration of over 5 years indicates a sustained need and potential for building expertise within the contractor.
The contractor, THE CADMUS GROUP LLC, has a history of federal contracts, suggesting experience in government contracting.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of agency functions. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar consulting services can vary widely based on scope, duration, and agency, but the $36.4 million total award suggests a substantial engagement for the EPA.

Small Business Impact

The contract does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. This means the competition was open to all eligible businesses, and the award was made based on the best overall value. While there's no direct set-aside, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing to the small business ecosystem, though this is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Environmental Protection Agency. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and the Cost Plus Fixed Fee terms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are often internal.

Related Government Programs

Management and Consulting Services
Professional and Technical Services
Environmental Consulting Services
Federal Administrative Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Broad NAICS code may require careful scope management to prevent creep.
Long contract duration increases potential for evolving needs and performance drift.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $36.4 million to THE CADMUS GROUP LLC. See the official description on USAspending.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE CADMUS GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2002-07-15. End: 2007-12-31.

What specific types of administrative and management consulting services were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' This broad category suggests services could include areas such as organizational structure analysis, strategic planning, process improvement, operational efficiency studies, human capital management consulting, and general management advisory services. Without access to the specific Statement of Work (SOW) or contract modifications, the precise nature and scope of services delivered remain unspecified. However, given the EPA's mission, these services likely supported the agency's administrative operations, program management, and strategic initiatives to enhance environmental protection efforts.

How does the total contract value of $36.4 million compare to similar EPA contracts for management consulting?

Benchmarking the $36.4 million contract value against similar EPA contracts requires access to a broader dataset of historical awards for management consulting services. However, as a total award over approximately 5.5 years, it represents a significant investment. Annualized, the contract value is roughly $6.6 million. This figure can be compared to other large-scale consulting engagements within the EPA or other federal agencies of similar size and complexity. Factors such as the specific services rendered, the duration, and the competitive landscape influence pricing. Without more granular data on comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high or low value, but it indicates a substantial commitment to external management expertise.

What are the potential risks associated with the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type used for this award?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type presents inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. In a CPFF structure, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While the fee is fixed, the contractor has less incentive to control costs compared to fixed-price contracts, as their profit (the fee) is not directly tied to cost savings. This can potentially lead to cost overruns if the agency's oversight is not rigorous. The risk for the government is paying higher-than-necessary costs. Effective management requires close monitoring of expenditures, clear definition of allowable costs, and robust negotiation of the fixed fee to ensure it reflects the risk and effort involved.

What is the track record of THE CADMUS GROUP LLC with federal contracts, particularly with the EPA?

THE CADMUS GROUP LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, including those with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While the provided data snippet focuses on a single contract, a comprehensive analysis of the contractor's track record would involve examining their performance history across multiple awards. This includes reviewing past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and the types and values of contracts previously awarded. A strong history with the EPA suggests familiarity with the agency's processes, objectives, and regulatory environment, which can be a positive indicator. However, a thorough assessment would require a broader review of their federal contracting portfolio and performance metrics.

How does the duration of this contract (nearly 2000 days) impact its overall value and risk?

The contract duration of approximately 1995 days (over 5.5 years) suggests a long-term, ongoing need for the services provided by THE CADMUS GROUP LLC. From a value perspective, a longer duration can allow for deeper integration of services, development of specialized expertise, and potentially economies of scale if services are consistently delivered. It can also provide stability for both the agency and the contractor. However, extended durations also increase risk. The longer the contract, the greater the potential for scope creep, changes in agency needs or priorities, and the risk of contractor performance degradation over time. Robust contract management, including regular performance reviews and potential for contract modifications, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure continued value throughout the contract's life.

What does the absence of small business subcontracting requirements imply for this contract?

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded with specific small business subcontracting goals (sb: false). This implies that while the prime contractor, THE CADMUS GROUP LLC, is responsible for fulfilling the contract's objectives, there is no mandated requirement for them to subcontract a certain percentage of the work to small businesses. This does not preclude the prime contractor from voluntarily subcontracting with small businesses if they deem it beneficial for performance or capacity. However, it means that opportunities for small businesses to participate as direct subcontractors on this specific award are not contractually guaranteed, potentially limiting their direct involvement compared to contracts with set-aside provisions.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 57 WATER ST, WATERTOWN, MA, 05

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $113,400

Exercised Options: $23,755,281

Current Obligation: $36,430,600

Timeline