DOJ's $16.8M contract for administrative management consulting services awarded to National Opinion Research Center

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,827,947 ($16.8M)

Contractor: National Opinion Research Center

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2001-09-13

End Date: 2004-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,083 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Place of Performance

Location: CHICAGO, COOK County, ILLINOIS, 60637

State: Illinois Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $16.8 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER for work described as: ADDITIONAL FUNDING Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed effectively. 3. The duration of the contract (1083 days) indicates a significant, long-term engagement for the services provided. 4. The awarding agency is the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, highlighting its focus on administrative support. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to a focus on management consulting services. 6. The contract was awarded as a task order (PO), implying it's part of a larger indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract or similar vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific $16.8 million contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. However, the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, can lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not closely monitored for scope creep and labor hour utilization. The duration of over three years suggests a substantial need for these services, but the absence of specific performance data makes a definitive value assessment difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it was competed suggests a deliberate effort to solicit multiple proposals and select the best value. However, the number of bidders is not specified, which would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition and its potential impact on pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality, ensuring that government funds are used more efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the various programs and offices within the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, which receive administrative management support. The services delivered are administrative management and general management consulting, aimed at improving operational efficiency and effectiveness. The geographic impact is likely national, given the scope of the Department of Justice's operations, though specific project locations are not detailed. Workforce implications could include the utilization of specialized consultants to augment government staff or provide expertise in specific management areas.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the services rendered.
The substantial contract value over a long duration warrants close scrutiny of deliverables and contractor performance.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The contractor, National Opinion Research Center, is a known entity, potentially indicating a track record of reliability.
The contract addresses administrative management needs, which are crucial for the efficient functioning of a large agency like the DOJ.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is a significant part of the professional services market. Federal agencies frequently contract for these services to enhance efficiency, implement new strategies, and manage complex programs. Spending in this sector is driven by the need for specialized expertise that may not be available in-house, as well as the desire for objective, external perspectives on organizational challenges. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other large federal contracts for similar consulting services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication from the provided data that this contract involved a small business set-aside. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, which typically favors larger, established firms. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but they are not explicitly detailed in this summary. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor actively seeks small business participation in its subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the Department of Justice's established procurement and program management protocols. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. The Inspector General for the Department of Justice would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Justice Administrative Support Contracts
Management and Consulting Services for Federal Agencies
Office of Justice Programs Operational Support
Federal Government Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust government oversight to manage contractor performance and hours billed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the summary makes value assessment challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $16.8 million to NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER. ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Office of Justice Programs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2001-09-13. End: 2004-08-31.

What is the track record of the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) in performing similar administrative management consulting services for the federal government?

The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago is a well-established research organization with a long history of conducting studies and providing data analysis for government agencies. While primarily known for its social science research, NORC also engages in program evaluation, survey research, and management consulting activities that support federal programs. Its track record includes numerous contracts with agencies like the National Science Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various components of the Department of Health and Human Services. For the Department of Justice specifically, NORC has undertaken projects related to criminal justice research, program evaluation, and data collection. The performance on this particular $16.8 million contract would need to be assessed based on specific contract performance reports and any available feedback, but NORC's general reputation suggests a capacity for managing complex, data-intensive projects.

How does the $16.8 million contract value compare to typical spending on administrative management consulting services within the Department of Justice?

The $16.8 million contract value for administrative management and general management consulting services represents a significant investment by the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs. To benchmark this against typical spending, one would need to analyze historical contract data for similar services within the DOJ and across other federal agencies. Contracts of this magnitude are generally awarded for substantial, long-term needs, such as comprehensive program support, organizational restructuring, or the implementation of major administrative reforms. Without access to detailed spending patterns for the DOJ's Office of Justice Programs, it's difficult to state definitively if this amount is high or low. However, it suggests a substantial requirement for external expertise to support the agency's administrative functions over the contract's duration.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this size and duration?

The primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially one valued at $16.8 million over approximately three years, revolve around cost control and scope management. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can lead to cost overruns if the project scope expands beyond initial expectations (scope creep) or if labor hours are not efficiently utilized. For the government, it necessitates robust oversight to ensure that the hours billed are reasonable and necessary for the work performed. There's also a risk that the contractor may have less incentive to control costs compared to a fixed-price arrangement. Effective management by the contracting officer and technical team is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does the 'full and open competition' award status imply about the selection process and potential outcomes for taxpayers?

The 'full and open competition' award status signifies that the Department of Justice followed a procurement process that allowed all responsible sources to submit proposals. This is generally considered the preferred method for federal contracting as it maximizes the pool of potential bidders, thereby increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions. For taxpayers, this typically translates to better value for money, as competition tends to drive down costs and encourage higher quality services. It also promotes transparency and fairness in the government's purchasing practices. While the specific number of bidders isn't provided, the open competition itself is a positive indicator for taxpayer interests, suggesting that the contract was awarded based on merit and competitive offers rather than sole-source justification.

How does the NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) define the scope of work for this contract?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 specifically categorizes establishments primarily engaged in providing operating advice and assistance on administrative and general management issues. This includes the development of accounting systems, business planning, and production planning and control, as well as the management of human resource functions, marketing, and office services. For this Department of Justice contract, it implies that the National Opinion Research Center is providing expertise to help the Office of Justice Programs improve its organizational efficiency, strategic planning, operational processes, and overall management effectiveness. The scope could encompass a wide range of activities, from policy analysis and program management support to organizational design and performance improvement initiatives.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded as a 'Task Order (PO)'?

The designation of this award as a 'Task Order (PO)' typically indicates that it was issued under a pre-existing contract vehicle, such as an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, a Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), or a similar master agreement. This means that the foundational terms, conditions, and pricing structures were likely established during a prior, broader competition for that contract vehicle. Issuing a task order allows the agency to procure specific services or supplies as needed, without conducting a full, separate competition for each individual requirement. For taxpayers, this can streamline procurement and potentially leverage pre-negotiated favorable rates. However, it also means that the specific competition and value assessment for this particular $16.8 million award are nested within the context of the parent contract.

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: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Contractor Details

Address: 1155 E 60TH ST, CHICAGO, IL, 90

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,827,947

Exercised Options: $16,827,947

Current Obligation: $16,827,947

Timeline