DOJ Awards $5.19M for Nationwide Testing Centers, Including Test Development and Validation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,185,208 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: REQUEST TO PROVIDE TESTING CENTERS NATIONWIDE TO INCLUDE TEST REFRESH, JOB, ANALYSIS, TEST DEVELOPMENT, AND VALIDATION COSTS FOR ALL CORE SERIES

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $5.2 million to PERSONNEL DECISIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTES, LLC for work described as: REQUEST TO PROVIDE TESTING CENTERS NATIONWIDE TO INCLUDE TEST REFRESH, JOB, ANALYSIS, TEST DEVELOPMENT, AND VALIDATION COSTS FOR ALL CORE SERIES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, LLC for comprehensive testing center services. 2. Services include test refresh, job analysis, development, and validation for core series. 3. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract spans nearly four years, indicating a long-term need for these services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.19M over 1460 days suggests a per-day cost of approximately $3,552. This appears reasonable for specialized HR consulting services involving test development and validation.

Cost Per Unit: $3,552 per day

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The use of full and open competition indicates that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process likely resulted in a fair market price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds for these essential HR services.

Public Impact

Ensures standardized and validated testing for federal job series, promoting fair hiring practices. Supports the Drug Enforcement Administration's personnel needs with critical HR consulting services. Nationwide reach of testing centers will facilitate broader access and efficiency in federal recruitment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in test development and validation services.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical HR functions.
Ensuring consistent quality across all nationwide testing centers.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition promotes fairness and value.
Long-term contract provides stability for DEA's HR needs.
Specialized services address a critical government function.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Human Resources Consulting Services (NAICS 541612), a sector focused on improving organizational effectiveness through expert advice. Spending in this sector is generally driven by government needs for specialized personnel management and development.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, LLC, which is not indicated as a small business. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Justice, specifically the Drug Enforcement Administration. Oversight will involve monitoring service delivery, quality, and adherence to contract terms to ensure accountability.

Related Government Programs

Human Resources Consulting Services
Department of Justice Contracting
Drug Enforcement Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to specialized nature of services.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical HR functions.
Scope definition for 'test refresh' and 'job analysis' needs clarity.
Ensuring equitable access and quality across all nationwide locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $5.2 million to PERSONNEL DECISIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTES, LLC. REQUEST TO PROVIDE TESTING CENTERS NATIONWIDE TO INCLUDE TEST REFRESH, JOB, ANALYSIS, TEST DEVELOPMENT, AND VALIDATION COSTS FOR ALL CORE SERIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PERSONNEL DECISIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Drug Enforcement Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific methodology used for test validation to ensure fairness and predictive validity?

The contract specifies test development and validation costs, implying adherence to established psychometric principles. However, the exact methodology (e.g., criterion-related, content, construct validation) and the specific validation studies to be conducted are not detailed in the provided data. Further inquiry into the contractor's proposed validation plan would be necessary to assess its robustness and alignment with best practices.

How will the performance of Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, LLC be monitored to ensure quality and prevent potential cost overruns?

Performance monitoring will likely involve regular progress reports, quality assurance reviews, and potentially site visits to the testing centers. The DEA contracting officer's representative (COR) will be responsible for overseeing service delivery and ensuring compliance with the contract's technical requirements and performance standards. Adherence to the firm-fixed-price structure should inherently limit cost overruns, provided the scope remains defined.

What is the anticipated impact of these nationwide testing centers on the efficiency and diversity of the federal hiring process?

Nationwide centers are expected to streamline the hiring process by providing accessible testing locations, potentially reducing applicant wait times and logistical burdens. Standardized testing aims to ensure a more equitable evaluation of candidates across different geographic areas. The effectiveness in promoting diversity will depend on the test design and validation to ensure it measures job-related competencies without introducing bias.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 15DDHQ22Q00000048

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 111 WASHINGTON AVENUE SOUTH, SUITE 600, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55401

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,495,427

Exercised Options: $11,463,214

Current Obligation: $5,185,208

Actual Outlays: $5,575,766

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02Q16DCR0061

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline