ICF Incorporated awarded $2.46M contract for Head Start training and technical assistance in Area 10
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,458,237 ($2.5M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2025-09-15
End Date: 2026-06-30
Contract Duration: 288 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, OFFICE OF HEAD START TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT FOR HEAD START RECIPIENTS IN AREA 10 (FORMER REGION 10)
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98104
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $2.5 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, OFFICE OF HEAD START TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT FOR HEAD START RECIPIENTS IN AREA 10 (FORMER REGION 10) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period spans from September 2025 to June 2026. 4. Contract type is Time and Materials, allowing for flexibility in service delivery. 5. The contract is for training and technical assistance for Head Start recipients. 6. The geographic scope is limited to Area 10, formerly Region 10.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.46 million for approximately 288 days of service appears reasonable for specialized training and technical assistance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for Head Start support services would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within expected parameters and do not escalate beyond the initial estimate.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids indicates a moderate level of competition for this specific requirement. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions, but two bids still provide a basis for price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages competitive pricing and potentially better service quality by allowing the most capable vendors to compete.
Public Impact
Head Start programs and their staff in Area 10 will benefit from enhanced training and technical assistance. Services delivered will aim to improve the quality and effectiveness of Head Start programs. The geographic impact is concentrated within Area 10 (formerly Region 10). Workforce implications include potential professional development opportunities for Head Start personnel and employment for ICF Incorporated staff.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to the Time and Materials contract type if not closely managed.
- Ensuring consistent quality of training and technical assistance across all Head Start recipients in Area 10.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent process.
- Contract duration provides a reasonable timeframe for service delivery and impact.
- Focus on Head Start aligns with critical early childhood education initiatives.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. The market for such services supporting federal programs, particularly in education and social services like Head Start, is robust. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for training, technical assistance, and program management support within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) or similar agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (sb: false). There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless ICF Incorporated actively engages small businesses as subcontractors for specialized support.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) program officials responsible for Head Start. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract statement of work. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance reporting may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Head Start Program
- Administration for Children and Families Grants
- Federal Training and Technical Assistance Contracts
- Early Childhood Education Support
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
- Performance quality depends on the effectiveness of training and the contractor's expertise.
Tags
professional-services, administration-for-children-and-families, head-start, training-and-technical-assistance, definitive-contract, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, area-10, region-10, consulting, early-childhood-education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $2.5 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, OFFICE OF HEAD START TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT FOR HEAD START RECIPIENTS IN AREA 10 (FORMER REGION 10)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-15. End: 2026-06-30.
What is ICF Incorporated's track record with federal contracts, particularly those related to Head Start or similar early childhood programs?
ICF Incorporated has a significant history of performing federal contracts across various agencies, including those focused on health, human services, and education. While specific details on their Head Start contract history require deeper database analysis, their general profile suggests experience in program management, technical assistance, and consulting for government clients. Their ability to secure this contract indicates a positive assessment of their past performance and capabilities by the awarding agency. Further investigation into past performance reviews and any past issues on similar contracts would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their track record.
How does the awarded amount of $2.46 million compare to similar contracts for Head Start training and technical assistance?
Direct comparison of the $2.46 million award requires access to a database of similar Head Start training and technical assistance contracts, including their scope, duration, and geographic coverage. However, for a contract spanning approximately 288 days and covering a specific region (Area 10), this amount appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized professional services. Factors like the complexity of the assistance required, the number of recipients served, and the specific expertise needed would influence the contract value. Without comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state if it represents exceptional value or is on the higher end.
What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risk with a T&M contract is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor's labor hours and material costs are not carefully managed and monitored by the government. Scope creep can also inflate costs without a clear ceiling. Mitigation strategies typically involve establishing a contract ceiling, requiring detailed reporting of hours and expenses, and implementing robust government oversight to ensure the work performed is necessary and efficient. The government contracting officer and technical monitors play a crucial role in managing these risks by scrutinizing invoices and ensuring adherence to the contract's objectives.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the quality and effectiveness of Head Start programs in Area 10?
The expected impact is positive, aiming to enhance the quality and effectiveness of Head Start programs through targeted training and technical assistance. This support is designed to help program staff improve their delivery of services, better meet federal performance standards, and ultimately benefit the children and families served by Head Start. The specific outcomes will depend on the quality of the training provided by ICF Incorporated and the receptiveness and implementation capacity of the Head Start recipients in Area 10. Success will be measured by improvements in program operations and child outcomes.
How has federal spending on Head Start training and technical assistance evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit in?
Analyzing federal spending trends for Head Start training and technical assistance over the past five years would require accessing historical budget data and contract award databases. Generally, funding for Head Start is relatively stable, reflecting its importance as a federal program. This $2.46 million contract represents a specific allocation for a defined region and period. Its significance within the broader spending landscape depends on the total annual federal investment in Head Start TTA. If overall TTA spending has been consistent, this contract is a standard component; if it has increased, it might reflect a growing emphasis on support services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 140D0425R0019
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.
Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLZ, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,310,588
Exercised Options: $2,458,237
Current Obligation: $2,458,237
Actual Outlays: $543,570
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-15
Current End Date: 2026-06-30
Potential End Date: 2028-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-12
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