Labor Dept. Awards $3.7M to Interstate Renewable Energy Council for Apprenticeship Expansion

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,703,796 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Interstate Renewable Energy Council Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2023-06-29

End Date: 2025-06-28

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES: RA ACCELERATION IN ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20210

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $3.7 million to INTERSTATE RENEWABLE ENERGY COUNCIL INC for work described as: EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES: RA ACCELERATION IN ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES Key points: 1. The contract aims to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs through industry intermediaries, focusing on established industries. 2. Interstate Renewable Energy Council Inc. is the awardee, with the Department of Labor as the contracting agency. 3. The contract is for Time and Materials with a definitive contract type, valued at $3,703,796.49. 4. The primary NAICS code is 611513 for Apprenticeship Training.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.7M for a 2-year period appears reasonable for program expansion initiatives. Benchmarking against similar apprenticeship program development contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The investment aims to increase skilled labor in established industries, potentially leading to long-term economic benefits and a stronger workforce, thus a positive taxpayer impact.

Public Impact

Expansion of apprenticeship programs can lead to a more skilled workforce, addressing industry needs. Focus on established industries suggests leveraging existing structures for efficient program rollout. The initiative could foster economic growth by creating new training pathways and job opportunities. Success hinges on effective program implementation and measurable outcomes in terms of apprentice placement and retention.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in Time and Materials contracts.
Measuring the long-term effectiveness and ROI of apprenticeship programs can be challenging.

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical need for skilled labor in established industries.
Leverages industry intermediaries for potentially efficient program delivery.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the education and training sector, specifically focusing on workforce development through apprenticeships. Spending benchmarks for similar workforce development initiatives vary widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Standard oversight by the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management is expected. The effectiveness of oversight will depend on performance monitoring and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Apprenticeship Training
Department of Labor Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Measuring the direct return on investment for apprenticeship programs can be complex.
Reliance on industry intermediaries requires strong oversight to ensure program quality and effectiveness.
Potential for challenges in scaling successful pilot programs to broader national impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $3.7 million to INTERSTATE RENEWABLE ENERGY COUNCIL INC. EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES: RA ACCELERATION IN ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERSTATE RENEWABLE ENERGY COUNCIL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-29. End: 2025-06-28.

What is the expected number of apprentices to be trained or placed as a result of this funding?

The provided data does not specify the target number of apprentices. Key performance indicators should include metrics on apprentice enrollment, completion rates, and subsequent employment to assess the program's success and justify the investment.

How will the effectiveness of the industry intermediaries be evaluated to ensure efficient program delivery?

Evaluation of intermediaries should focus on their ability to recruit employers, develop relevant training curricula, and provide ongoing support to apprentices and employers. Regular performance reviews and outcome-based reporting are crucial for accountability.

What are the specific established industries targeted for this apprenticeship expansion, and what is the projected impact on their talent pipeline?

The specific industries are not detailed in the provided data. Identifying these sectors and understanding their current workforce challenges will be essential for tailoring apprenticeship programs and measuring their impact on talent pipeline development and industry growth.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Apprenticeship Training

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: 1605C2-23-R-00006

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 125 WOLF RD, ALBANY, NY, 12205

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: $9,830,247

Exercised Options: $3,703,796

Current Obligation: $3,703,796

Actual Outlays: $3,699,618

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline