ICF Incorporated awarded $5.3M contract for Region 11 Head Start training and technical assistance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,332,022 ($5.3M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-09-01

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 302 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OFFICE OF HEAD START REGION 11 TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5.3 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: OFFICE OF HEAD START REGION 11 TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 3. Contract duration is 302 days, suggesting a focused, short-term engagement. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The agency is the Department of the Interior, with services for the Office of Head Start. 6. This contract is a definitive contract, typically used for well-defined requirements. 7. The base award amount is $1.77M, with potential for growth up to the ceiling.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $5.33 million for a 302-day period for training and technical assistance appears within a reasonable range for specialized consulting services. However, without specific benchmarks for Head Start regional training programs or comparable contracts for administrative management consulting, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure costs do not exceed the anticipated value, especially given the potential for cost overruns inherent in this contract type.

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. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives competitive pricing. The fact that it was competed broadly implies that the market for these services is robust and that the government sought the best value from a wide pool of potential offerors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and encouraging a wider range of innovative solutions.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include Head Start programs and staff within Region 11, likely encompassing multiple states. Services delivered will focus on training and technical assistance to improve program administration and management. The geographic impact is concentrated on Region 11, serving its specific Head Start grantees. Workforce implications include support for the administrative and management capabilities of Head Start personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The specific performance metrics and deliverables need rigorous oversight to ensure effectiveness.
Potential for scope creep exists given the nature of consulting and technical assistance.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
The contractor, ICF Incorporated, is a known entity in government contracting, potentially bringing expertise.
The contract aims to support critical Head Start program functions, indicating a focus on public good.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of advisory and assistance services. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The contract's focus on supporting a specific federal program (Head Start) highlights a common application of these services within the government contracting landscape. Benchmarking against similar consulting contracts for program support within federal agencies would provide further context on pricing and scope.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and there is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting requirements in the provided snippet. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and opportunities for small businesses would likely be through subcontracting if ICF Incorporated chooses to engage them. Further investigation into ICF's subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers within the Office of Head Start. The Time and Materials nature of the contract necessitates diligent monitoring of labor hours and costs against the established ceiling to ensure accountability. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and potentially through public contract databases, though specific oversight mechanisms are not detailed in the provided data.

Related Government Programs

Head Start Program
Office of Head Start Grants
Federal Training and Technical Assistance Programs
Administrative Management Consulting
General Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust oversight to ensure effective delivery of training and technical assistance.
Scope definition and management are critical for success.
Reliance on contractor's internal controls for accurate time and cost reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5.3 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. OFFICE OF HEAD START REGION 11 TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT

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 $5.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-01. End: 2026-06-30.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with federal contracts, particularly in training and technical assistance?

ICF Incorporated has a significant history of federal contracting across various agencies, including Health and Human Services (which oversees Head Start), Department of Defense, and others. They frequently engage in providing technical assistance, program support, and management consulting services. Their experience often spans areas like public health, education, and social services. A review of their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would provide specific insights into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets on similar federal engagements. Their established presence suggests a capacity to handle complex federal requirements, but specific performance on Head Start-related tasks would be the most relevant indicator.

How does the $5.33 million contract value compare to similar training and technical assistance contracts for Head Start regions?

Assessing the $5.33 million value requires context regarding the scope, duration, and specific services provided. Contracts for Head Start training and technical assistance can vary widely based on the region's size, the number of grantees served, and the complexity of the technical support needed. A 302-day duration suggests a focused effort. Benchmarking against previous or concurrent contracts for other Head Start regions or similar federal program support could reveal if this amount is high, low, or average. Factors like the specific expertise required (e.g., curriculum development, management systems, compliance) and the level of contractor involvement (e.g., on-site vs. remote support) significantly influence cost. Without direct comparative data for Region 11 or similar regions, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents optimal value.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for this type of service?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, like this one, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure provides flexibility but offers less cost certainty for the government. If the project scope is not tightly defined, or if efficiencies are not maintained by the contractor, the total cost can escalate beyond initial expectations. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of labor hours, validation of work performed, and strict adherence to the contract ceiling, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized consulting services like these?

Full and open competition is generally the most effective method for ensuring competitive pricing, especially for specialized consulting services where multiple firms may possess the required expertise. By allowing all responsible sources to submit proposals, the government maximizes its chances of receiving a range of offers, which naturally drives prices down as contractors vie for the award. This process also encourages innovation and allows the government to select not just on price but also on the best technical approach and overall value. For services like administrative management and technical assistance, where capabilities can vary, this broad competition helps identify the most capable and cost-effective provider.

What is the historical spending pattern for training and technical assistance within the Office of Head Start?

Historical spending patterns for training and technical assistance (TTA) within the Office of Head Start (OHS) are generally substantial, reflecting the program's complexity and the need for ongoing support to grantees across the nation. OHS TTA funding is allocated through various mechanisms, including regional centers, national centers, and specific initiatives. Spending typically covers a wide array of services, from direct grantee support to research and dissemination of best practices. Analyzing past OHS budgets and contract awards would reveal trends in TTA investment, the types of services prioritized, and the distribution of funds across different contract vehicles and awardees. This contract represents a portion of that broader TTA investment for Region 11.

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: 1

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: $17,954,455

Exercised Options: $5,332,022

Current Obligation: $5,332,022

Actual Outlays: $1,562,959

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline