Interior's $126K counseling contract awarded to Arizona Psychology Services for educational support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $126,016 ($126.0K)

Contractor: Arizona Psychology Services PLLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-05-19

End Date: 2027-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,503 days

Daily Burn Rate: $84/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: COUNSELING SERVICES FOR DENNEHOTSO

Place of Performance

Location: DENNEHOTSO, APACHE County, ARIZONA, 86535

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $126,015.89 to ARIZONA PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES PLLC for work described as: COUNSELING SERVICES FOR DENNEHOTSO Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature and duration. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a single awardee, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the relatively small contract value and defined scope. 4. Performance context is within educational support services, a critical area for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 5. Sector positioning is in professional services supporting federal education initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $126,015.89 over approximately 4 years (1503 days) suggests a modest annual spend. Without specific benchmarks for counseling services in this region or for this specific population, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty. The award to a single entity implies a need for further analysis to ensure competitive pricing was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. The data indicates a single awardee, Arizona Psychology Services PLLC. While SAP aims for efficiency for smaller procurements, the limited competition may have restricted the range of pricing and service offerings available to the government.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition can sometimes lead to higher prices than would be achieved in a more robust bidding environment. However, SAP is designed for smaller purchases where the administrative cost of full competition might outweigh the potential savings.

Public Impact

Students and staff within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education systems in Arizona will benefit from accessible counseling services. The services delivered are educational support, likely focusing on mental health and well-being to improve educational outcomes. The geographic impact is primarily within Arizona, serving the specific needs of the communities where these educational institutions are located. Workforce implications include the direct employment of mental health professionals by Arizona Psychology Services PLLC to fulfill this contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may have resulted in a higher per-unit cost than a fully competed contract.
The duration of the contract (ending in 2027) means potential for long-term reliance on a single provider without re-evaluation of market options.

Positive Signals

Award to a single, presumably qualified, provider ensures continuity of essential services.
The fixed-price contract type offers budget predictability for the agency.
The contract falls under educational support services, aligning with the agency's mission.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically educational support services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611710 for Educational Support Services encompasses a range of services aimed at supporting the educational process. Federal spending in this area often supports specific populations or geographic regions, such as Native American students served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within agency-specific data for student support or mental health services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The award was made to Arizona Psychology Services PLLC, and its size status as a small or large business is not provided in this data snippet.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price purchase order, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award data being publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Student Support Services
Bureau of Indian Education Mental Health Initiatives
Federal Counseling and Mental Health Services
Native American Education Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for price not fully optimized

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $126,015.89 to ARIZONA PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES PLLC. COUNSELING SERVICES FOR DENNEHOTSO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARIZONA PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES PLLC.

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 $126,015.89.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-19. End: 2027-06-30.

What is the track record of Arizona Psychology Services PLLC with federal contracts?

The provided data snippet does not contain information on the track record of Arizona Psychology Services PLLC with federal contracts. To assess their past performance, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS-NG for previous awards, contract history, and any performance evaluations or past performance questionnaires. Understanding their experience with similar government contracts, particularly those involving educational support or mental health services for specific populations, would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar federal counseling service contracts?

Direct pricing comparison is challenging without specific benchmarks for similar counseling services procured by the federal government, especially for the target demographic and geographic region. The contract's fixed-price nature for a duration of approximately 4 years at $126,015.89 suggests an average annual cost of roughly $31,500. This figure needs to be evaluated against the scope and volume of services to be provided. Benchmarking would require identifying comparable contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services or other entities serving Native American communities, considering factors like the number of individuals served, types of services offered, and provider qualifications.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks associated with this contract are relatively low given its size and scope. Potential risks include the contractor's ability to deliver consistent quality of service throughout the contract period, potential for scope creep if not managed carefully, and the risk that limited competition may have led to suboptimal pricing. Another consideration is the reliance on a single provider for essential services, which could pose a disruption risk if the contractor faces unforeseen operational issues. However, the fixed-price structure mitigates financial risk for the government regarding cost overruns.

How effective are counseling services in improving educational outcomes for students served by BIA/BIE?

Counseling services are widely recognized as a critical component in improving educational outcomes, particularly for student populations facing unique challenges. For students served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), access to culturally competent mental health support can address issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and family stressors that impede learning. Studies consistently show that students receiving mental health interventions exhibit improved attendance, better academic performance, reduced behavioral problems, and enhanced social-emotional development. The effectiveness hinges on the quality of services, the qualifications of the counselors, and the integration of these services within the educational environment.

What is the historical spending trend for educational support services by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending trends for educational support services by the Department of the Interior (DOI) would require a detailed analysis of past federal procurement data. This specific contract, valued at $126,015.89, is relatively small. To understand broader trends, one would need to aggregate spending data for NAICS code 611710 and related codes under the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal whether spending in this category has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and identify any significant shifts in procurement strategies or program priorities within the DOI related to educational support.

What is the significance of the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation?

The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation signifies that this contract was awarded using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). SAP is a streamlined process designed for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). While it involves competition, it typically involves fewer formal requirements and a smaller number of bidders compared to full and open competition. This designation suggests the agency sought to efficiently procure necessary services while still obtaining competitive pricing, though the level of competition might be less robust than for larger contracts.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A2323Q0350

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 160 W FISH LN, SNOWFLAKE, AZ, 85937

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $162,814

Exercised Options: $126,016

Current Obligation: $126,016

Actual Outlays: $69,801

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline