USDA Forest Service awards $9M Job Corps contract to Jackson Pierce Public Affairs for SF region

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,011,877 ($9.0M)

Contractor: Jackson Pierce Public Affairs Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FOREST SERVICE JOB CORPS OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES (OA/CTS) FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF WASHINGTON AND ORE

Place of Performance

Location: DECATUR, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30030

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $9.0 million to JACKSON PIERCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS INC for work described as: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FOREST SERVICE JOB CORPS OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES (OA/CTS) FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF WASHINGTON AND ORE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Jackson Pierce Public Affairs Inc. for $9.01M. 2. Services include outreach, admissions, and career transition for Job Corps centers in WA and OR. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. Contract type is 'Definitive Contract' with a 'Firm Fixed Price' payment. 5. Duration of the contract is 1460 days (4 years).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9.01M over 4 years appears reasonable for specialized outreach and transition services. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for educational support services would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded, potentially limiting the competitive landscape and price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The $9.01M award represents taxpayer investment in workforce development programs. Ensuring efficient and effective service delivery is key to maximizing taxpayer return.

Public Impact

Supports critical Job Corps programs aimed at youth development and job training. Ensures continued services for civilian conservation centers in Washington and Oregon. Facilitates student recruitment and successful transition into the workforce. Potential impact on local economies through job placement of program participants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to exclusion of sources.
Firm Fixed Price contract may not fully account for unforeseen cost fluctuations.
Contract duration is long, requiring ongoing performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Supports a vital federal program (Job Corps).
Clear contract objectives for outreach and transition services.
Firm Fixed Price provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Educational Support Services (NAICS 611710). Spending in this sector supports federal workforce development initiatives. Benchmarks for similar contracts would focus on cost per participant or cost per successful placement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (SB) was 'false' for this contract, meaning it was not set aside for small businesses and the prime contractor is not a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Jackson Pierce Public Affairs Inc. meets performance expectations and delivers services effectively within the defined scope and budget. The Forest Service Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) will be key.

Related Government Programs

Educational Support Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition impacting price.
Lack of transparency on source exclusion.
Firm Fixed Price risk if costs escalate unexpectedly.
Need for robust performance monitoring over a long contract duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $9.0 million to JACKSON PIERCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS INC. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FOREST SERVICE JOB CORPS OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES (OA/CTS) FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF WASHINGTON AND ORE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JACKSON PIERCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

How does the cost per participant for outreach and admissions compare to similar Job Corps regions or programs?

A detailed cost analysis per participant is not directly available from the provided data. However, the total contract value of $9.01M over 1460 days suggests an average annual spend of approximately $2.25M. To assess value, this would need to be divided by the number of participants served annually in the San Francisco region's Job Corps centers to establish a per-participant cost for comparison with industry or other government benchmarks.

What are the specific reasons for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method?

The exclusion of sources typically occurs when specific capabilities, past performance, or unique qualifications are required that only a limited number of contractors can provide. Without further documentation, the exact rationale for excluding sources in this USDA Forest Service contract remains unclear. This method can raise concerns about whether the most competitive pricing was achieved.

What performance metrics will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the outreach, admissions, and career transition services?

Effectiveness is likely measured by key performance indicators (KPIs) such as the number of students successfully recruited and enrolled, retention rates within the Job Corps program, and the percentage of participants who secure meaningful employment or further education post-program. The contract should detail these metrics and the government's evaluation process.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1282A723R0003

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 W COURT SQ STE 757, DECATUR, GA, 30030

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,832,950

Exercised Options: $9,011,877

Current Obligation: $9,011,877

Actual Outlays: $5,795,118

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline