Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs awards $4.4M IDIQ for education transformation, with Arrow Alliance Industries as prime

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,438,601 ($4.4M)

Contractor: Arrow Alliance Industries, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-12-12

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,021 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIE STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATION PLAN (STEP) IDIQ TO 12 EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Place of Performance

Location: NORMAN, CLEVELAND County, OKLAHOMA, 73026

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.4 million to ARROW ALLIANCE INDUSTRIES, LLC for work described as: BIE STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATION PLAN (STEP) IDIQ TO 12 EDUCATION AND TRAINING Key points: 1. Contract aims to support educational and training initiatives for Native American students. 2. The contract is structured as an IDIQ, allowing for multiple delivery orders over its term. 3. Arrow Alliance Industries, LLC, is the prime contractor for this strategic transformation effort. 4. The contract duration is over 3 years, indicating a medium-term commitment. 5. The award falls under 'All Other Information Services' NAICS code, suggesting a broad scope of potential services. 6. The contract was awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources, implying a specific justification for the competition method.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award ceiling is $4.4 million over approximately three years. Benchmarking this against similar education and training support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. The contract type (Labor Hours) suggests payment based on hours worked, which can be efficient if managed well, but also carries risks of cost overruns if not closely monitored. The provided data does not include specific unit costs or pricing details to allow for a direct value-for-money assessment against market rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded using 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This specific method suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources may have been excluded based on predefined criteria or a justification for a limited pool. The number of bidders is not specified, making it difficult to assess the intensity of the competition. This approach can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'after exclusion of sources' clause indicates that while competition occurred, it was not entirely unrestricted. This could potentially limit the number of viable offers and may not guarantee the most cost-effective outcome for taxpayers compared to a truly open bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are students served by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, who will receive enhanced educational and training services. Services delivered are expected to support the 'Strategic Transformation of Education Plan (STEP)', aiming to improve educational outcomes. The geographic impact is likely focused on Native American communities and educational institutions across the United States where BIE operates. Workforce implications may include opportunities for educators, trainers, and support staff involved in implementing the STEP initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' competition method raises questions about the breadth of competition and potential impact on pricing.
Lack of detailed service descriptions makes it difficult to assess the true value and effectiveness of the awarded services.
The broad NAICS code (519190) could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully, potentially increasing costs beyond initial estimates.

Positive Signals

The contract is part of a strategic initiative to transform education, indicating a focus on long-term improvement.
The IDIQ structure allows flexibility to adapt services as the STEP initiative evolves.
Arrow Alliance Industries, LLC, is the prime contractor, suggesting a single point of accountability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 519190 (All Other Information Services). This broad category encompasses a wide range of services, including data processing, information retrieval, and other information services. The market for such services is vast and competitive, with numerous providers offering specialized solutions. The contract's focus on education transformation suggests a niche application within this broader sector, potentially involving educational technology, data analytics for student performance, or training program development and delivery.

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 or specific benefits for small businesses mandated by this award. The prime contractor, Arrow Alliance Industries, LLC, is responsible for its own subcontracting strategy, which may or may not involve small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the IDIQ contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements from the contractor and potential reviews by the agency's program offices. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior may also have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Education Programs
Bureau of Indian Education Programs
Native American Education Initiatives
Federal Education Grants and Contracts
Information Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Justification
Potential for Scope Creep
Unclear Service Specificity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.4 million to ARROW ALLIANCE INDUSTRIES, LLC. BIE STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATION PLAN (STEP) IDIQ TO 12 EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARROW ALLIANCE INDUSTRIES, LLC.

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 $4.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-12. End: 2026-09-28.

What specific services are included under the 'All Other Information Services' NAICS code for this contract?

The specific services under NAICS code 519190 for this contract, 'BIE STRATEGIC TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATION PLAN (STEP) IDIQ', are not detailed in the provided data. However, this code generally covers a wide array of information-related services beyond traditional publishing or broadcasting. For an education transformation plan, this could potentially include data analytics for student performance tracking, development of educational software or platforms, online learning content creation, IT support for educational systems, research and analysis related to educational best practices, or administrative support services for educational programs. The exact scope would be defined in the individual delivery orders issued against this IDIQ.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method compare to standard full and open competition?

Standard 'Full and Open Competition' requires agencies to solicit offers from all responsible sources and to award contracts to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the government, price and other factors considered. 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' is a specific statutory exception where an agency determines that it is not practicable to include all potential sources. This often occurs when a specific technology or capability is required, or when there's a need to limit the pool for specific reasons, such as national security or unique requirements. While it still involves competition, excluding sources can limit the number of bidders and potentially reduce the competitive pressure on pricing compared to a truly unrestricted solicitation. The justification for exclusion must be documented and approved.

What is the typical performance expectation for a contract of this duration and value?

For a contract valued at approximately $4.4 million over a period of roughly 3 years (1021 days), the performance expectations are generally moderate. The IDIQ structure implies that the agency will issue specific delivery orders for defined tasks. Performance expectations would be tied to the successful completion of these tasks within the agreed-upon timelines and quality standards. For Arrow Alliance Industries, LLC, this means demonstrating capability in delivering the required educational and training support services, meeting reporting requirements, and managing resources effectively to fulfill the agency's strategic transformation goals. The agency's satisfaction with performance on individual delivery orders will dictate future tasking and overall contract success.

What are the potential risks associated with an IDIQ contract for educational transformation?

Potential risks for an IDIQ contract focused on educational transformation include scope creep, where the definition of services expands beyond the original intent, leading to cost overruns. Another risk is the contractor's ability to adapt to evolving educational needs and technologies; the 'Strategic Transformation of Education Plan' implies a dynamic environment. Ensuring consistent quality across multiple delivery orders and potentially different geographic locations can also be challenging. Furthermore, if the competition was limited, there's a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most innovative or cost-effective solution available. Finally, effective oversight is crucial to ensure that the funds are used efficiently and achieve the desired educational outcomes.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education?

This contract represents a specific investment within the broader spending of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) aimed at improving educational outcomes for Native American students. BIA and BIE typically allocate significant funds towards education, including operational costs for schools, student support services, infrastructure, and program development. A $4.4 million IDIQ for strategic transformation suggests a focused effort on systemic improvements rather than day-to-day school operations. It aligns with a strategic objective to modernize and enhance the effectiveness of educational services provided to tribal communities, indicating a commitment to long-term educational reform.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › All Other Information Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - PLATFORM

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: STEP TO 12

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3100 84TH AVE SE, NORMAN, OK, 73026

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American 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: $6,133,136

Exercised Options: $6,133,136

Current Obligation: $4,438,601

Actual Outlays: $3,950,692

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A2321D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline