USDA's $1.275M Professional Coaching Program Awarded to Advance Talent Solutions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,750 ($12.8K)

Contractor: Advance Talent Solutions Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-08-12

End Date: 2025-08-11

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $35/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 57

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OCFO PROFESSIONAL COACHING PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20250

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $12,750 to ADVANCE TALENT SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED for work described as: OCFO PROFESSIONAL COACHING PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract focuses on professional and management development training. 2. Advance Talent Solutions Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 4. The duration is 364 days, ending August 11, 2025.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.275M for a 364-day professional coaching program appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized training services. Benchmarking against similar government or private sector contracts for executive coaching and leadership development would provide a clearer assessment of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting an expectation of limited competition. While SAP can lead to efficient procurement for smaller dollar amounts, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for professional development, aiming to enhance employee skills and agency effectiveness. The value for money will depend on the quality and impact of the coaching services provided.

Public Impact

Enhances leadership and management skills within the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Supports employee career development and retention. Aims to improve overall agency performance and operational efficiency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to SAP.
Potential for higher costs without broader market solicitation.

Positive Signals

Focus on professional development.
Clear contract duration and pricing structure.

Sector Analysis

The sector involves professional and management development training, a common area for government spending to enhance workforce capabilities. Benchmarks for similar training programs vary widely based on scope, duration, and provider expertise.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Advance Talent Solutions Inc., is not specified as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was considered or achieved in this procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a definitive contract, implying a clear scope and terms. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the coaching program meets its objectives and delivers the intended value to the agency.

Related Government Programs

Professional and Management Development Training
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Food Safety and Inspection Service Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition.
Potential for cost inefficiencies.
Lack of defined success metrics.
Unclear small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $12,750 to ADVANCE TALENT SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED. OCFO PROFESSIONAL COACHING PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCE TALENT SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Food Safety and Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12,750.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-12. End: 2025-08-11.

What specific metrics will be used to measure the effectiveness and ROI of the professional coaching program?

Measuring the effectiveness of professional coaching requires clearly defined key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to individual and team development goals. Metrics could include improvements in leadership competencies, employee engagement scores, promotion rates of coached individuals, and successful implementation of new strategies or skills learned. A post-program assessment and follow-up surveys are essential to gauge long-term impact and return on investment for the agency.

How does the pricing of this coaching program compare to industry standards for similar services?

Without specific details on the coaching methodologies, number of sessions, and coach qualifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the $1.275M price tag for a year-long program suggests a significant investment. Industry benchmarks for executive coaching can range from $500 to $3,000+ per session or a retainer model. The agency should have validated this pricing against comparable government and commercial contracts to ensure fair and reasonable cost.

What is the potential impact on agency operations if the coaching program fails to deliver expected outcomes?

If the coaching program fails to deliver expected outcomes, the primary impact would be a financial loss of $1.275M in taxpayer funds with no commensurate improvement in employee performance or agency effectiveness. This could also lead to missed opportunities for leadership development, potentially hindering strategic initiatives and employee morale. Furthermore, it could necessitate a re-evaluation of the procurement process and future training investments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 123A9424R0006

Offers Received: 57

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 633 W 5TH ST STE 2822, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90071

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $130,868

Exercised Options: $12,750

Current Obligation: $12,750

Actual Outlays: $8,750

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline