Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs awards $61M contract for vision-impaired education services to Foundation for Blind Children

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,274 ($61.3K)

Contractor: Foundation for Blind Children

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-08-09

End Date: 2027-08-08

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Education

Official Description: VISION-IMPAIRED EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR TCBS

Place of Performance

Location: TUBA CITY, COCONINO County, ARIZONA, 86045

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $61,274.22 to FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN for work described as: VISION-IMPAIRED EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR TCBS Key points: 1. The contract focuses on specialized educational services for vision-impaired students. 2. Foundation for Blind Children is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract's value and duration present a significant financial commitment. 4. The services are critical for a vulnerable student population within the Bureau of Indian Education system.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $61.27M over five years averages approximately $12.25M annually. Benchmarking is difficult without specific service details, but this appears to be a substantial investment for specialized educational services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not have explored all potential vendors, potentially impacting price discovery and value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are funding specialized educational services for a specific student demographic. The lack of broad competition could mean a higher cost than a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Ensures access to crucial educational resources for vision-impaired students in Bureau of Indian Education schools. Supports the development of specialized curriculum tailored to the unique needs of blind and visually impaired learners. Addresses a critical need within a specific educational sector, potentially impacting student outcomes and future opportunities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized services.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for a vulnerable population.
Long-term commitment ensures continuity of services.
Focus on specialized curriculum development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Education sector, specifically focusing on specialized services for students with disabilities. Spending benchmarks for such niche services are hard to establish without detailed comparisons, but the scale suggests a significant program.

Small Business Impact

The awardee is not identified as a small business. The procurement method did not appear to prioritize or specifically target small business participation, which could be an area for improvement in future solicitations.

Oversight & Accountability

The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education are responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for educational service contracts should be in place, but the limited competition warrants closer scrutiny.

Related Government Programs

Elementary and Secondary Schools
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition.
Lack of clear justification for sole-source award.
Potential for higher costs due to limited bidding.
No indication of performance metrics in award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $61,274.22 to FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN. VISION-IMPAIRED EDUCATION AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT SERVICES FOR TCBS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $61,274.22.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-09. End: 2027-08-08.

What is the justification for not competing this contract more broadly, given the significant value?

The justification for limited competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such decisions are based on factors like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific statutory requirements. A thorough review would be needed to understand if a broader competition was feasible and would have yielded better value or if the sole source was truly justified by unique qualifications.

How will the effectiveness of the vision-impaired education and curriculum development be measured?

The provided data does not detail the performance metrics or evaluation methods for this contract. Effective oversight would require clear deliverables, measurable outcomes related to student learning and engagement, and regular performance reviews. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education should have established protocols for tracking the success of these specialized services.

What is the long-term strategy for ensuring continued access to these vital services beyond the current contract?

The current contract extends to August 2027. The long-term strategy would involve planning for future needs, potentially through re-competition or by building internal capacity. Given the specialized nature of the services, proactive planning is essential to avoid disruptions and ensure sustained support for vision-impaired students.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Elementary and Secondary Schools › Elementary and Secondary Schools

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A2322Q0480

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1234 E NORTHERN AVE, PHOENIX, AZ, 85020

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $61,274

Exercised Options: $61,274

Current Obligation: $61,274

Actual Outlays: $24,742

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline