State Dept. Spends $65M on Business Support Services with Quality Support, Inc. via Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $64,935,462 ($64.9M)
Contractor: Quality Support, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of State
Start Date: 2006-01-09
End Date: 2016-03-11
Contract Duration: 3,714 days
Daily Burn Rate: $17.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY)
Sector: Other
Official Description: CA/VO OPERATIONS
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22209
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of State obligated $64.9 million to QUALITY SUPPORT, INC. for work described as: CA/VO OPERATIONS Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $64.9M over 10 years. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process. 3. The contract spans a decade, suggesting long-term service needs. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Business Support Services', a broad category.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $64.9M over 10 years averages $6.5M annually. Without specific per-unit cost data or benchmarks for 'All Other Business Support Services', a precise value assessment is difficult. However, the duration suggests a potentially stable, albeit broad, service requirement.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This method suggests that while competition was sought, specific circumstances led to excluding certain sources, which could impact price discovery and overall market competitiveness.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests efforts to secure reasonable pricing for taxpayers, though the specific impact is hard to quantify without detailed cost analysis.
Public Impact
Taxpayers funded extensive business support services for the Department of State. The long contract duration implies sustained government reliance on these services. The broad service category may obscure specific operational efficiencies or costs. Quality Support, Inc. was the primary contractor for a decade.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Broad service category lacks specificity.
- Long contract duration may reduce flexibility.
- Exclusion of sources in competition needs clarification.
Positive Signals
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Contract awarded to a single entity for consistency.
- Long-term award suggests stable service provision.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under 'All Other Business Support Services', a diverse category. Benchmarking spending in this area is challenging due to its breadth. The $6.5M annual average is substantial, indicating significant operational support requirements for the Department of State.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee, Quality Support, Inc., is not specified as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded in 2006 and expired in 2016, suggesting it has undergone standard oversight during its term. The 'EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause warrants closer examination for adherence to procurement regulations.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Business Support Services
- Department of State Contracting
- Department of State Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific service details.
- Potential for reduced flexibility due to long duration.
- Ambiguity in 'exclusion of sources' justification.
- Broad service category hinders precise cost-benefit analysis.
Tags
all-other-business-support-services, department-of-state, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of State awarded $64.9 million to QUALITY SUPPORT, INC.. CA/VO OPERATIONS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is QUALITY SUPPORT, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $64.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-01-09. End: 2016-03-11.
What specific business support services were provided under this contract?
The contract falls under NAICS code 561499, 'All Other Business Support Services.' This broad category can encompass a wide range of activities, including administrative support, call centers, document preparation, and other non-specified business services. Without further detail, the exact nature of the services rendered remains unclear, making it difficult to assess their necessity or efficiency.
What was the rationale for excluding certain sources during the full and open competition?
The rationale for excluding sources during a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' typically involves specific justifications such as national security, unique capabilities, or prior performance requirements that only a limited number of entities can meet. Understanding this rationale is crucial for assessing whether the exclusion was justified and if it potentially limited competitive pricing for the taxpayer.
How did the long duration of the contract impact the Department of State's ability to adapt to changing needs?
A 10-year contract duration, while providing stability, can limit an agency's flexibility to adapt to evolving requirements or adopt new technologies. The Department of State may have faced challenges in incorporating newer solutions or adjusting service levels if needs changed significantly over the decade. Periodic reviews or contract modifications would have been essential to mitigate this risk.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › All Other Business Support Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: SAQMPD05R1024
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: COMBINATION (APPLIES TO AWARDS WHERE TWO OR MORE OF THE ABOVE APPLY) (2)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 8201 CORPORATE DRIVE, SUITE 220, LANDOVER, MD, 20785
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $78,142,278
Exercised Options: $71,541,927
Current Obligation: $64,935,462
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-01-09
Current End Date: 2016-03-11
Potential End Date: 2016-03-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-02-28
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