Defense contract for administrative management consulting services awarded to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for over $29.9 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $29,904,952 ($29.9M)

Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-07-15

End Date: 2016-08-03

Contract Duration: 1,115 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: WBS 1.2 - OPERATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $29.9 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: WBS 1.2 - OPERATIONS Key points: 1. The contract value of approximately $30 million over three years suggests a significant need for specialized consulting services within the Department of Defense. 2. The fixed-price contract type indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, potentially leading to greater cost control. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, this contract likely benefited from a competitive bidding process, potentially driving down costs. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to a focus on administrative and general management consulting. 5. The contract duration of over 1100 days highlights a long-term engagement for these critical support services. 6. The contractor, TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC., has secured a substantial award, indicating a strong track record or competitive proposal.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $30 million for administrative management consulting services over three years appears reasonable given the scope of support typically required by a large federal agency like the Department of Defense. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting services within the federal government would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the award suggests a degree of cost certainty for the government.

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 bids. This suggests a robust bidding process where multiple firms likely competed for the award. The level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for cost savings through competitive bidding and encourages a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced administrative and general management capabilities, leading to improved operational efficiency. Services delivered likely include strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, and other management support functions. The geographic impact is primarily within the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) area, supporting federal administrative functions. The contract supports specialized consulting roles, potentially impacting the federal workforce by augmenting existing capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the contract's objectives are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical administrative functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive and potentially cost-effective process.
Fixed-price contract type shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of government functions. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in organizational efficiency, strategic planning, and operational support to federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would require further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan, if applicable. The absence of a set-aside suggests the primary competition was likely among larger, established firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) contracting office within the Department of Defense. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Defense Management Consulting Services
Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Management and Technical Consulting

Risk Flags

Contract Duration
Contract Value
Competition Level

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $29.9 million to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. WBS 1.2 - OPERATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $29.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-07-15. End: 2016-08-03.

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

While the NAICS code 541611 covers a broad range of services, this contract likely encompassed areas such as strategic planning, organizational assessment, process improvement, policy development, and general management advisory services tailored to the needs of the Department of Defense and Washington Headquarters Services. Specific deliverables would have been detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), outlining tasks like operational analysis, efficiency studies, and recommendations for improving administrative functions. The fixed-price nature suggests a focus on defined outcomes rather than time and materials.

How does the contract value of approximately $30 million compare to similar administrative consulting contracts within the Department of Defense?

A contract value of $30 million over three years for administrative management consulting is substantial, reflecting the scale and complexity of the Department of Defense. To benchmark effectively, one would compare this to other contracts awarded for similar services (NAICS 541611) to entities of comparable size and scope within the DoD or other large federal agencies. Factors such as the specific services required, the duration, and the competitive landscape influence pricing. Without direct comparisons, it appears to be a significant investment, suggesting a critical need for the services rendered.

What is the track record of TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. in performing federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those with the Department of Defense. Their success in securing this $30 million contract suggests a positive track record or a highly competitive proposal. Further analysis would involve examining their past performance ratings, any past performance issues or disputes, and the types and values of previous contracts they have held. A review of contract databases would reveal the extent of their experience and their performance history with government clients.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract would have been detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW) and contract clauses. Given the nature of administrative management consulting, KPIs might have included adherence to project timelines, quality of deliverables (e.g., reports, recommendations), achievement of defined efficiency improvements, client satisfaction, and compliance with budget constraints. For a fixed-price contract, successful completion of all defined tasks and delivery of agreed-upon outcomes within the contract price would be paramount.

What is the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services within the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS)?

Analyzing historical spending trends for administrative management and general management consulting services within WHS would provide context for this $30 million award. This would involve examining annual spending data for NAICS code 541611 (and potentially related codes) awarded by WHS over several fiscal years. Trends might reveal an increasing, decreasing, or stable demand for such services, influenced by budget allocations, agency priorities, and shifts in operational needs. This specific contract represents a significant portion of that spending during its performance period.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HQ003413R0055

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 420 S FAIRVIEW AVE STE 201, GOLETA, CA, 93117

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,501,462

Exercised Options: $29,933,541

Current Obligation: $29,904,952

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $10,542,559

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0002K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline