Foundation for Blind Children awarded $82.6M for visually impaired services, impacting Arizona

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,633 ($82.6K)

Contractor: Foundation for Blind Children

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-08-31

End Date: 2027-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,430 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VISUALLY IMPAIRED SERVICES FOR DBS

Place of Performance

Location: DENNEHOTSO, APACHE County, ARIZONA, 86535

State: Arizona Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $82,632.75 to FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN for work described as: VISUALLY IMPAIRED SERVICES FOR DBS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of services. 2. Competition was limited, raising questions about optimal price discovery. 3. Performance risk is moderate, dependent on contractor's specialized expertise. 4. Services are critical for educational support of visually impaired students. 5. This contract positions the Foundation as a key provider in its niche. 6. Spending aligns with federal efforts to support underserved educational populations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $82.6 million over approximately four years suggests a significant investment in specialized educational support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for visually impaired services is challenging due to the niche nature of the work and the specific client (Bureau of Indian Affairs/Education). However, the firm-fixed-price structure indicates a defined cost expectation. The value seems appropriate for comprehensive services aimed at a vulnerable population, assuming quality delivery.

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. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP implies a streamlined process that may limit the pool of potential offerors. This approach is often used for smaller dollar value procurements, but its application here for a significant award warrants scrutiny regarding the extent of market outreach.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition may result in higher prices for taxpayers compared to a broader, more competitive bidding process. It also reduces the opportunity for innovative solutions from a wider range of vendors.

Public Impact

Visually impaired students served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education are the primary beneficiaries. Comprehensive educational support services, including specialized instruction and resources, will be delivered. The geographic impact is concentrated in Arizona, where the Foundation for Blind Children is located and likely serves students. The contract supports a specialized workforce in educational support services for the visually impaired.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition to inflate costs.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical services could pose continuity risks.
Ensuring consistent service quality across diverse student needs requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

Specialized expertise of the Foundation for Blind Children is a strong positive signal.
Long-term contract duration allows for program stability and planning.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically focusing on specialized services for the visually impaired. The market for such niche educational support is often characterized by a limited number of highly specialized providers. Federal spending in this area is driven by mandates to provide equitable educational opportunities, particularly for underserved populations like Native American students served by the BIE. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature, but the award size reflects a substantial commitment to these services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The focus is on the primary awardee, the Foundation for Blind Children.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to service level agreements, and financial reporting. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Education Programs
Bureau of Indian Education Student Support Services
Federal Support for Students with Disabilities
Educational Technology and Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Potential for Service Gaps
Reliance on Specialized Expertise

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $82,632.75 to FOUNDATION FOR BLIND CHILDREN. VISUALLY IMPAIRED SERVICES FOR DBS

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 $82,632.75.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-31. End: 2027-07-31.

What is the Foundation for Blind Children's track record in delivering services of this scale and complexity?

The Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) has a long history of providing services to visually impaired individuals, dating back to 1955. Their expertise typically encompasses early intervention, education, and vocational training. While specific details on contracts of this exact scale ($82.6M) are not readily available in public databases, FBC is a recognized and established organization within its field. Their longevity and focus suggest a strong capability to manage complex programs. However, a deeper dive into their past performance on government contracts, particularly regarding scale, scope, and client satisfaction, would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Verification of their capacity to manage a contract of this magnitude, including staffing, resource allocation, and program management, is crucial.

How does the per-student cost compare to similar federal programs serving Native American students?

Directly comparing the per-student cost is challenging without knowing the exact number of students to be served under this $82.6 million contract and the specific services provided. Federal programs serving Native American students, particularly those with specialized needs like visual impairment, can have higher per-student costs due to the specialized nature of the support, smaller student populations in remote areas, and the need for tailored resources. The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) often faces unique challenges in delivering services. To benchmark effectively, one would need to identify comparable BIE programs or other federal initiatives for students with disabilities in similar contexts and analyze their cost structures relative to student outcomes and service intensity. The current data does not allow for this granular comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential service delivery gaps due to the specialized nature of visually impaired education, contractor performance issues, and the potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly, despite the firm-fixed-price structure. There's also a risk related to the limited competition, which could impact price and innovation. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust government oversight from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, including regular performance reviews, site visits, and adherence to strict service level agreements outlined in the contract. The Foundation's established expertise is a mitigating factor for performance risk. The government's role in monitoring progress and addressing any deficiencies promptly is critical to ensuring successful outcomes for the students.

What is the historical spending trend for visually impaired services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Education?

Analyzing historical spending trends for visually impaired services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) requires access to detailed historical contract data. Publicly available summaries often aggregate spending by agency or broader service categories, making it difficult to isolate specific spending on visually impaired services over time. However, it is reasonable to assume that spending in this area has been consistent or potentially increasing, reflecting a growing awareness and commitment to providing comprehensive support for students with disabilities within the BIE system. The current $82.6 million award suggests a significant and sustained federal investment in this specific area of need, potentially indicating an increase or a consolidation of previously dispersed funding.

How does the contract's duration and value compare to typical federal contracts for similar educational support services?

The contract's duration of approximately four years (from August 31, 2023, to July 31, 2027) and its value of $82.6 million place it as a substantial, long-term commitment. Typical federal contracts for educational support services can vary widely in duration and value depending on the scope, agency, and population served. Contracts for specialized services like those for the visually impaired, especially when serving a specific population group like Native American students through the BIE, often require longer-term engagements to ensure program continuity and allow the contractor to implement comprehensive strategies effectively. While many smaller contracts exist, awards of this magnitude and duration are indicative of a significant, ongoing federal requirement for these critical services.

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: 140A2323Q0658

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: $109,033

Exercised Options: $82,633

Current Obligation: $82,633

Actual Outlays: $43,292

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline