NSF's $17.8M contract with ICF Macro Inc. for management consulting services awarded via competitive delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,822,563 ($17.8M)

Contractor: ICF Macro Inc

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2008-11-01

End Date: 2013-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $17.8 million to ICF MACRO INC for work described as: DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract was a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 3. The duration of the contract was 5 years. 4. The contract type was Time and Materials. 5. The contractor, ICF Macro Inc., has a track record with federal agencies. 6. The contract was awarded by the National Science Foundation. 7. The place of performance was Maryland.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $17.8 million over five years for management consulting services appears within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. However, without specific details on the deliverables and the complexity of the services provided, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative and general management consulting would provide a clearer picture of whether the pricing was competitive and reflected the market rates for the expertise required.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that it was competed among multiple potential offerors. The fact that it was a delivery order suggests it was placed against an existing contract vehicle, which itself would have undergone a competitive process. The level of competition for the delivery order itself is not specified, but the 'full-and-open' designation implies a robust bidding environment, which generally supports better price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely resulted in a more favorable price and better quality services compared to a sole-source or limited competition award.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation benefits from enhanced administrative and management consulting services. Services delivered likely support the operational efficiency and strategic planning of the NSF. The geographic impact is primarily in Maryland, where the services were performed. The contract supports jobs within the management consulting sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value delivered.
The duration of the contract (5 years) may not align with rapidly changing needs in management consulting.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
The contractor, ICF Macro Inc., is an established entity in the consulting space.
The contract was a delivery order, implying it was part of a pre-vetted framework.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically under 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 areas such as strategic planning, organizational efficiency, and program management. The $17.8 million awarded represents a modest portion of the overall federal expenditure in this broad category.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting goals. As a competitive delivery order, the prime contractor, ICF Macro Inc., would have had the discretion to subcontract portions of the work. Without specific information on subcontracting plans or performance, it's difficult to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem. Further investigation into the contract's terms and the contractor's subcontracting reports would be necessary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order, it likely falls under the purview of the contract vehicle it was issued against, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reports and specific oversight activities are not publicly available without further inquiry. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Management and Consulting Services
Professional Services Contracts
National Science Foundation Contracts
Administrative Support Services

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires close monitoring to control costs.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data hinders full value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $17.8 million to ICF MACRO INC. DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF MACRO INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-11-01. End: 2013-10-31.

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

The contract, awarded to ICF Macro Inc. by the National Science Foundation, was for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS code 541611). While the specific tasks are not detailed in the provided data, this category typically encompasses a broad range of services. These can include strategic planning, organizational analysis and design, process improvement, performance management, policy development, and general management support. Given the agency (NSF), the services likely aimed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of NSF's operations, research administration, or program management. Without access to the Statement of Work (SOW) or task orders issued under this contract, a precise breakdown of services rendered remains unavailable.

How does the $17.8 million contract value compare to similar NSF consulting contracts?

Comparing the $17.8 million contract value for five years of administrative and general management consulting services requires context regarding the scope and complexity of the work. The National Science Foundation (NSF) engages in various consulting and professional services contracts to support its mission. While $17.8 million over five years averages to approximately $3.56 million annually, this figure needs to be benchmarked against contracts with similar objectives and deliverables. Without specific details on the services provided, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, federal agencies frequently award multi-million dollar contracts for management consulting to address organizational challenges, improve operational efficiency, and support strategic initiatives. The value appears plausible within the federal contracting landscape for such services.

What is ICF Macro Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with the NSF?

ICF Macro Inc. (now part of ICF International) has a substantial track record of performing federal contracts across various agencies. Their expertise spans areas such as program management, research support, data analysis, and management consulting. While the provided data confirms a contract with the National Science Foundation (NSF) for administrative and general management consulting, their engagement with NSF likely extends beyond this single award. A comprehensive review of federal procurement data would reveal the full scope of their work with NSF and other agencies, including contract values, performance history, and any reported issues. Generally, established firms like ICF have a history of successful contract performance, but individual contract performance can vary.

What were the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to ICF Macro Inc., carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. The main risk is that the contractor may not be incentivized to control costs as effectively as they would be under a fixed-price contract. This is because the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or hourly rate. If not managed diligently, T&M contracts can lead to cost overruns if the scope of work expands or if labor hours are not efficiently utilized. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and clear definition of the level of effort are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

How does the 'full-and-open' competition for this contract benefit taxpayers?

A 'full-and-open' competition means that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid for this contract. This broad competition is generally the most effective way to ensure taxpayers receive the best value for their money. By allowing a wide range of qualified contractors to compete, the government can leverage market forces to drive down prices, encourage innovation, and ensure the selection of the most capable provider. This process increases the likelihood that the contract will be awarded at a fair and reasonable price, and that the services delivered will meet or exceed requirements, thereby maximizing the return on taxpayer investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc. (UEI: 139001544)

Address: 11785 BLTSVLLE DR STE 300, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,222,601

Exercised Options: $18,222,601

Current Obligation: $17,822,563

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F9777H

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline