State Department awards $21.4M contract for management consulting services to PricewaterhouseCoopers
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,371,145 ($21.4M)
Contractor: Pricewaterhousecoopers LLP
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2009-08-17
End Date: 2019-05-14
Contract Duration: 3,557 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Sector: Other
Official Description: SAQMMA09L0997 IS AWARDED TO PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS TO ACQUIRE THE HIGHLY-SKILLED, QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEET OR EXCEED ENM PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S PLANNING DIRECTORATE.
Place of Performance
Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $21.4 million to PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP for work described as: SAQMMA09L0997 IS AWARDED TO PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS TO ACQUIRE THE HIGHLY-SKILLED, QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEET OR EXCEED ENM PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S PLANNING DIRECTORATE. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential personnel and program management support for the ENM program. 2. Services are critical for achieving organizational planning objectives. 3. The contract duration spans nearly 10 years, indicating long-term support needs. 4. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the sole awardee for this specific task order. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 6. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services are the core focus.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $21.4 million over its nearly 10-year duration suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale, long-term management consulting contracts for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the nature of the services, requiring highly skilled personnel and program management, often commands significant investment. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the extended period suggests a recognized need and potentially stable pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive offers. This approach generally leads to better value for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process maximizes the potential for cost savings for taxpayers by encouraging a wide range of vendors to submit proposals, driving down prices through market forces.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of State's ENM program and its Planning Directorate, which receive critical support. Services delivered include providing highly-skilled, qualified, and experienced personnel for program management. The geographic impact is primarily within the Department of State's operational areas, likely supporting domestic and potentially international planning functions. Workforce implications include the provision of specialized consulting expertise, augmenting the government's internal capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in due to the long contract duration if not managed carefully.
- Reliance on external expertise may limit internal knowledge transfer if not structured for it.
- Scope creep could increase costs if not rigorously managed against the original objectives.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Contract addresses critical program objectives, indicating strategic importance.
- Long contract duration implies a stable and predictable need for these services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of government functions from administrative support to complex program management. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous large and small firms offering specialized expertise. The Department of State's reliance on such services is common for agencies requiring specialized skills or surge capacity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is a large firm, the contract does not appear to have explicit provisions for small business subcontracting. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific contract may be limited unless they are direct partners or subcontractors to the prime. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting goals were established outside of the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of State's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and deliverables outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- Management and Consulting Services
- Program Management Support
- Federal IT Consulting Contracts
- Department of State Administrative Support
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration may increase risk of scope creep or vendor lock-in.
- Lack of specific small business subcontracting goals noted.
- Performance metrics and specific outcomes not detailed in award data.
Tags
department-of-state, management-consulting, program-management, full-and-open-competition, administrative-support, long-term-contract, professional-services, planning-directorate, enm-program, virginia, bpa-call
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $21.4 million to PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP. SAQMMA09L0997 IS AWARDED TO PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS TO ACQUIRE THE HIGHLY-SKILLED, QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES TO MEET OR EXCEED ENM PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION'S PLANNING DIRECTORATE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $21.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2009-08-17. End: 2019-05-14.
What is the historical spending pattern for management consulting services at the Department of State?
The Department of State, like many large federal agencies, utilizes management and consulting services extensively to support its diverse operations, from policy development and program implementation to administrative efficiency and strategic planning. Historical spending data reveals a consistent allocation of funds towards these services, often driven by the need for specialized expertise, project-specific support, or to augment internal workforce capacity. The specific amounts fluctuate year-to-year based on agency priorities, budget allocations, and the initiation of new programs or initiatives. Analyzing trends over several fiscal years would show which directorates or programs are the largest consumers of these services and the types of consulting engagements most frequently procured. This contract, SAQMMA09L0997, awarded in 2009 and ending in 2019, represents a portion of that historical spending for program management support within the ENM program.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar management consulting contracts for federal agencies?
The annual cost for this contract, averaging roughly $2.14 million ($21.4M / ~9.7 years), needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts to assess its value. Similar contracts often involve providing high-level strategic advice, program management, and specialized personnel to federal agencies. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the program, the required skill sets of the personnel, the duration of the contract, and the level of competition. Contracts for large-scale, long-term program support at agencies like the Department of Defense or Health and Human Services can range from a few million to tens of millions annually. Without specific details on the scope of work and the exact nature of the 'highly-skilled' personnel required for the ENM program, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the annual figure appears within a reasonable range for substantial, long-term consulting engagements in the federal space.
What is PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of State?
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) is a major global professional services firm with a significant presence in the federal contracting arena. They have a well-established track record of securing and performing on numerous contracts across various federal agencies, including the Department of State. Their expertise spans a wide range of services, including management consulting, IT consulting, financial advisory, and cybersecurity. Historically, PwC has been awarded substantial contracts for complex projects requiring specialized knowledge and extensive resources. For the Department of State specifically, PwC has likely provided services related to program management, strategic planning, financial systems, and operational improvements. Their ability to win contracts like SAQMMA09L0997, especially under full and open competition, indicates a strong understanding of government procurement processes and a demonstrated capability to meet agency requirements.
What are the potential risks associated with a long-term contract for management consulting services?
Long-term contracts for management consulting services, such as SAQMMA09L0997 (nearly 10 years), carry several potential risks. One primary risk is 'scope creep,' where the project's objectives or deliverables expand beyond the original agreement without corresponding adjustments to cost or timeline, leading to budget overruns. Another risk is vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly reliant on the contractor's specific knowledge and processes, making it difficult or costly to transition to a new vendor or bring the function in-house. There's also the risk of complacency or a decline in service quality over time if performance is not rigorously monitored. Furthermore, changes in agency leadership, program priorities, or technological landscapes could render the contracted services less relevant or effective, necessitating costly modifications or early termination. Ensuring robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and regular re-evaluation of needs are crucial to mitigate these risks.
How does the 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code relate to the contract's objectives?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services,' directly aligns with the stated objectives of contract SAQMMA09L0997. This code encompasses firms that provide operating advice and assistance on matters of administrative management, such as financial management, human resources, marketing, planning, and information technology, to other businesses and organizations. The contract's description, 'acquire the highly-skilled, qualified and experienced personnel and program management support services to meet or exceed ENM program objectives and support the organization's planning directorate,' perfectly fits within this NAICS category. It signifies that the core service being procured involves expert guidance and support in managing the ENM program and assisting the planning directorate, rather than providing tangible goods or highly specialized technical services outside the realm of management and administration.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1800 TYSON BLVD 9TH FL, MC LEAN, VA, 22102
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,371,145
Exercised Options: $21,371,145
Current Obligation: $21,371,145
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA08A0436
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2009-08-17
Current End Date: 2019-05-14
Potential End Date: 2019-05-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-02-12
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