US Special Operations Command spent $28.9M on consulting services from 2017-2021 under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,948,680 ($28.9M)
Contractor: Grant Thornton LLP
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-06-01
End Date: 2021-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,674 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND AUDIT 2018-2021
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.9 million to GRANT THORNTON LLP for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND AUDIT 2018-2021 Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Grant Thornton LLP for administrative management and general management consulting services represents a significant investment in specialized expertise. 2. While the contract utilized full and open competition, the specific impact on price discovery for these services requires further analysis. 3. The duration of the contract (1674 days) suggests a long-term need for these consulting services within the Department of Defense. 4. The absence of small business participation warrants investigation into potential barriers or opportunities for future engagement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $28.9 million over approximately four years suggests a substantial but not necessarily excessive cost for specialized consulting. Benchmarking against similar large-scale management consulting contracts within the federal government would be necessary for a definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition is a positive indicator for achieving competitive pricing. However, the specific details of the bidding process and the number of proposals received are crucial to understanding the extent of price discovery and ensuring the government received the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds were utilized for this contract. The value indicates a significant expenditure, and ensuring efficient use of these funds through competitive procurement is paramount for fiscal responsibility.
Public Impact
Enhances operational efficiency and strategic planning for US Special Operations Command. Supports critical administrative and management functions within a key defense agency. Potential for improved resource allocation and program effectiveness through expert consultation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of small business participation
- Limited insight into specific deliverables and outcomes
- Potential for scope creep in long-term consulting contracts
Positive Signals
- Utilized full and open competition
- Contract awarded to a reputable firm
- Long-term engagement suggests sustained need and potential for deep expertise development
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. Federal spending in this area often supports agency modernization, efficiency improvements, and strategic initiatives. Benchmarks for similar contracts would typically consider the complexity of the services and the agency's mission.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates no small business participation. This could suggest that the scope of work or the bidding requirements may have inadvertently excluded smaller firms, or that larger, established firms were better positioned to compete. Further analysis is needed to determine if opportunities for small business engagement were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was subject to oversight by the Department of Defense and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. The Inspector General audit mentioned in the data source suggests ongoing scrutiny of spending and performance, which is crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Finance and Accounting Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of small business participation
- Potential for unassessed value for money
- Limited transparency on specific deliverables and impact
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or evolving needs not being met
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $28.9 million to GRANT THORNTON LLP. IGF::CT::IGF UNITED STATES SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND AUDIT 2018-2021
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GRANT THORNTON LLP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Finance and Accounting Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $28.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-06-01. End: 2021-12-31.
What specific management and administrative challenges did US Special Operations Command aim to address with this extensive consulting engagement?
The contract likely aimed to address complex challenges related to operational efficiency, strategic planning, resource management, and potentially organizational restructuring within US Special Operations Command. Given the duration and value, it suggests a need for in-depth analysis and implementation support for significant improvements or adaptations to the command's administrative and management frameworks.
How did the full and open competition process ensure the government secured the most cost-effective and high-quality consulting services for this $28.9 million contract?
The full and open competition process theoretically allows any interested and qualified vendor to bid, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages high-quality proposals. However, the effectiveness depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria, and the number and caliber of bids received. Without detailed bid information, it's difficult to definitively assess the price discovery achieved.
What tangible improvements or outcomes resulted from the $28.9 million spent on consulting services over the contract's four-year period?
The provided data does not detail the specific outcomes or tangible improvements achieved. An assessment of the contract's effectiveness would require reviewing performance reports, deliverables, and any post-contract evaluations to determine if the consulting services led to measurable enhancements in US Special Operations Command's administrative and management functions, efficiency, or strategic capabilities.
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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: HQ042317Q0001
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Grant Thornton International Ltd
Address: 1000 WILSON BLVD STE 1400, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $28,948,680
Exercised Options: $28,948,680
Current Obligation: $28,948,680
Actual Outlays: $1,424,298
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F143CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-06-01
Current End Date: 2021-12-31
Potential End Date: 2021-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-09-15
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