DHS awarded $13.8M for management consulting, with a significant portion for administrative and program support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,884,276 ($13.9M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2007-09-27

End Date: 2012-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,829 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROVIDE 2,733,082.00 PROGRAM/PROJECT, MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE, BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE PLANNING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM TOOLS AND TRACKING SYSTEMS SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $13.9 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: PROVIDE 2,733,082.00 PROGRAM/PROJECT, MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE, BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE PLANNING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM TOOLS AND TRACKING SYSTEMS SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focused on administrative, business planning, and program management support. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Contract duration was substantial at 1829 days. 4. The contract was awarded to ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. 5. Primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 6. The contract was a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. 7. The contract was not set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $13.8M over approximately five years for management and administrative support services appears within a reasonable range for large-scale federal contracts of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative and program management consulting services would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the breadth of services requested, including program management, communications, and operational support, suggests a comprehensive scope that justifies the investment.

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 typically leads to a more robust selection of qualified contractors and potentially better pricing due to market forces. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive environment was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential support services. Services include program management, communications management, acquisition management, and administrative support. The contract's impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located. The contract supports administrative and management functions crucial for DHS operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics or outcome-based evaluations in the provided data.
The broad scope of services could lead to potential scope creep if not managed tightly.
Reliance on a single BPA call for a significant duration may limit flexibility for evolving needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive and fair process.
Contractor has a track record with the federal government, suggesting some level of established capability.
The services provided are critical for the operational functioning of a major federal agency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This is a large and competitive sector within the federal market, with agencies frequently procuring these services to support program management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. Spending in this category is often driven by the need for specialized expertise or to augment internal government capacity.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, ICF Incorporated, L.L.C., is likely a large business, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion, not mandated by a small business set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Homeland Security. Performance monitoring, invoice review, and adherence to contract terms are standard oversight functions. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Specific details on IG jurisdiction or detailed audit reports would require further investigation.

Related Government Programs

Management and Administrative Support Services
Program Management Support
Acquisition Management Services
Consulting Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracts

Risk Flags

Broad service scope may increase risk of scope creep.
Long contract duration could lead to misalignment with evolving needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data hinders objective assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $13.9 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. PROVIDE 2,733,082.00 PROGRAM/PROJECT, MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE, BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE PLANNING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM TOOLS AND TRACKING SYSTEMS SUPPORT

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 Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-27. End: 2012-09-29.

What is the historical spending trend for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services at DHS?

Analyzing historical spending trends for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services at DHS requires access to comprehensive federal procurement data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract represents $13.8 million, understanding the broader trend involves examining the total agency spend in NAICS code 541611 and related categories. Factors influencing these trends include agency priorities, budget allocations, and the increasing reliance on external expertise for complex governmental functions. A detailed analysis would involve identifying periods of increased or decreased spending, correlating them with specific DHS initiatives or policy changes, and comparing DHS's spending in this category to other large federal agencies. Without a broader dataset, it's difficult to ascertain if this contract is part of a growing, shrinking, or stable spending pattern for these services at DHS.

How does the per-unit cost or hourly rate for this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining the per-unit cost or hourly rate comparison for this contract is challenging without more granular data on the services rendered and the labor categories involved. The total award of $13.8 million covers a wide array of services over 1829 days. To benchmark effectively, one would need to break down the spending by labor hours and specific roles (e.g., senior consultant, project manager, administrative assistant) and compare these rates to industry surveys like those published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics or specialized consulting industry reports. Given the 'full and open competition' award, it suggests market forces were at play, but the specific pricing structure and negotiated rates are not publicly detailed. A comprehensive comparison would require access to the contract's detailed pricing structure and relevant market data for similar federal contracts.

What is ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with DHS?

ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. is a well-established government contractor with a significant history of serving various federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security. Publicly available data indicates ICF has secured numerous contracts across different departments, spanning areas such as IT modernization, program management, environmental services, and public health. Their experience with DHS likely encompasses a range of support services, similar to the contract described. A thorough assessment of their track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and the overall value and duration of their previous awards to ensure consistent delivery and compliance with federal acquisition regulations. Their continued success in winning federal bids suggests a generally positive performance history.

What specific program or initiative within DHS does this contract primarily support?

The provided data indicates the contract supports 'PROGRAM/PROJECT, MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE, BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE PLANNING, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PROGRAM TOOLS AND TRACKING SYSTEMS SUPPORT' for the Department of Homeland Security. This broad description suggests the contract is not tied to a single, highly specific program but rather provides overarching management, administrative, and operational support functions that likely benefit multiple programs or the agency's general operational infrastructure. The 'Office of Procurement Operations' is listed as the servicing agency, implying the support may be particularly focused on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of DHS's procurement and contracting processes, or supporting the management of various programs managed through these operations.

Are there any identified risks associated with the performance or management of this contract?

Based on the limited information, potential risks associated with this contract could include scope creep, given the broad nature of the services (management, administrative, planning, operations). Ensuring that the contractor stays within the defined objectives and deliverables is crucial. Another risk could be the long duration (1829 days), which might lead to a misalignment with evolving agency needs if not managed proactively through contract modifications or reviews. Furthermore, the lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's performance objectively. Effective oversight by the COR and regular performance reviews would be key to mitigating these risks and ensuring value for taxpayer money.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

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: $13,884,276

Exercised Options: $13,884,276

Current Obligation: $13,884,276

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F06LPA0007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline