Department of Labor awards $100.3M contract for data collection services to Telaforce LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $100,342,760 ($100.3M)

Contractor: Telaforce LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2019-06-10

End Date: 2026-05-05

Contract Duration: 2,521 days

Daily Burn Rate: $39.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DATA COLLECTION SERVICES FOR THE CES PROJECT. THIS APPLICATION IS POWERED BY COMPUSEARCH'S PRISM APPLICATION.AMS LOGO USER ID: USER ID IS REQUIRED PASSWORD: PASSWORD IS REQUIRED UNAUTHORIZED CAC/PIV LOGIN ATTEMPT.YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR CAC/PIV ACCESS. PLEASE CLOSE YOUR BROWSER AND CONTACT YOUR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR. THIS APPLICATION IS POWERED BY COMPUSEARCH'S PRISM APPLICATION.AMS LOGO USER ID: USER ID IS REQUIRED PASSWORD: PASSWORD IS REQUIRED UNAUTHORIZED CAC/PIV LOGIN ATTEMPT.YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR CAC/PIV ACCESS. PLEASE CLOSE YOUR BROWSER AND CONTACT YOUR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR. TO INITIALLY AND INCREMENTALLY FUND OPTION YEAR 4 CES TASK ORDER DOLU132J16647 IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,553,730.93. OPTION YEAR 4 POP IS AUG 6, 2017 - AUG 5, 2018 LOE FOR OPTION YEAR 3 IS $19,027,366

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 $100.3 million to TELAFORCE LLC for work described as: DATA COLLECTION SERVICES FOR THE CES PROJECT. THIS APPLICATION IS POWERED BY COMPUSEARCH'S PRISM APPLICATION.AMS LOGO USER ID: USER ID IS REQUIRED PASSWORD: PASSWORD IS REQUIRED UNAUTHORIZED CAC/PIV LOGIN ATTEMPT.YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED… Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 2. The contract duration is over 6 years, suggesting a long-term need for these data collection services. 3. The primary service area is Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling, a critical function for understanding public sentiment and program effectiveness. 4. The contract is a definitive contract type, often used for services that are not easily defined in advance. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, suggesting the scope or nature of the work may not have been suitable for such provisions. 6. The contract is being performed in Washington D.C., a common location for federal agency operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $100.3 million over approximately 6.8 years averages to about $14.7 million per year. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale data collection contracts is challenging without more specific details on the scope and deliverables. However, the annual spend is substantial, warranting close monitoring of performance and value realization. The contract type (definitive) suggests flexibility but also potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This typically means that after an initial solicitation or exclusion of certain sources, the opportunity was opened to all responsible sources. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors likely had the opportunity to bid, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the 'exclusion of sources' phrasing warrants further investigation into why certain sources were initially excluded.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process, even with initial exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer competitive pricing and innovative solutions. This can lead to better value for the government's investment.

Public Impact

The Department of Labor benefits from enhanced data collection capabilities to inform policy and program development. Services delivered include marketing research and public opinion polling, crucial for understanding stakeholder needs and program impact. The geographic impact is primarily within Washington D.C., where the contract is being performed. The contract supports the workforce involved in data collection, research, and analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition type could indicate potential limitations or pre-qualifications that might have reduced the overall pool of bidders.
The definitive contract type, while offering flexibility, can sometimes lead to less predictable costs if scope creep occurs.
The substantial award amount over a long period requires robust oversight to ensure continued value for money and prevent potential inefficiencies.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.
The long contract duration indicates a sustained need and potential for building specialized expertise within the contractor.
The contract supports critical data collection functions for the Department of Labor, which is essential for informed decision-making.

Sector Analysis

The Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling sector (NAICS 541910) is a significant part of the professional services industry supporting government agencies. Federal spending in this area is driven by the need for data to inform policy, evaluate program effectiveness, and understand public sentiment. This contract represents a substantial investment within this sector, likely contributing to market growth and employment for research firms and analysts.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by the 'ss' and 'sb' fields being false. This suggests that the scale, complexity, or specific requirements of the data collection services were deemed more suitable for larger, established firms. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses, which would typically be detailed in the contract's terms and conditions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Labor's contracting officers and program managers. The contract's definitive nature may necessitate detailed performance metrics and regular reviews to ensure accountability and transparency. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Labor Data Analytics Contracts
Federal Marketing Research Services
Public Opinion Polling Contracts
CES Project Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to definitive contract type.
Data security and privacy risks associated with large-scale data collection.
Need for ongoing performance monitoring to ensure value for money over the contract's long duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $100.3 million to TELAFORCE LLC. DATA COLLECTION SERVICES FOR THE CES PROJECT. THIS APPLICATION IS POWERED BY COMPUSEARCH'S PRISM APPLICATION.AMS LOGO USER ID: USER ID IS REQUIRED PASSWORD: PASSWORD IS REQUIRED UNAUTHORIZED CAC/PIV LOGIN ATTEMPT.YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR CAC/PIV ACCESS. PLEASE CLOSE YOUR BROWSER AND CONTACT YOUR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR. THIS APPLICATION IS POWERED BY COMPUSEARCH'S P

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TELAFORCE LLC.

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 $100.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-06-10. End: 2026-05-05.

What specific data collection methodologies and technologies will Telaforce LLC employ under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact methodologies or technologies Telaforce LLC will use for data collection. Typically, contracts of this nature would detail requirements for survey design, sampling techniques, data capture tools (e.g., online platforms, phone systems), data processing, and quality assurance protocols. The Department of Labor would likely have performance standards and reporting requirements related to these aspects to ensure the integrity and utility of the collected data. Further review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) would be necessary to ascertain these details.

How does the $100.3 million award compare to historical federal spending on similar data collection services?

Comparing the $100.3 million award requires context on the scope and duration of similar contracts. The Department of Labor has historically awarded significant contracts for research and data collection. For instance, other agencies might award multi-year contracts in the tens of millions for large-scale surveys or program evaluations. Without specific details on the 'CES Project' and the exact nature of the data being collected, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $100.3 million over nearly seven years suggests a substantial, ongoing requirement for comprehensive data services, placing it among significant federal investments in this domain.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will Telaforce LLC's performance be measured?

The provided summary data does not list the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for a data collection services contract of this magnitude, KPIs would typically focus on data accuracy, response rates, timeliness of data delivery, adherence to privacy and security protocols, and overall project management efficiency. Performance would likely be assessed through regular progress reports, data quality audits, and potentially user satisfaction surveys from the Department of Labor stakeholders. The contract's terms and conditions would outline the precise metrics and evaluation criteria.

What is Telaforce LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly in marketing research and data collection?

Telaforce LLC has been awarded this significant $100.3 million contract by the Department of Labor, indicating a level of trust and capability recognized by the agency. While this specific award is substantial, a comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve reviewing their past performance on other federal contracts, including their success in delivering similar services, their history of cost performance, and any past performance issues or awards. Information on their past federal contract history, including awards and performance ratings, would typically be available through federal procurement databases.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term, high-value contract for data collection services?

Potential risks for a long-term, high-value data collection contract include scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the original agreement, leading to increased costs and delays. There's also the risk of data breaches or privacy violations, given the sensitive nature of collected information. Contractor performance degradation over time, technological obsolescence, and challenges in adapting to evolving research needs are other concerns. Furthermore, ensuring continued value for money throughout the contract's duration requires vigilant oversight and performance management to mitigate risks of inefficiency or underperformance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1625DC17R00003

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Telaforce, LLC

Address: 1501 MERCHANTS WAY, NICEVILLE, FL, 32578

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $114,493,978

Exercised Options: $114,493,978

Current Obligation: $100,342,760

Actual Outlays: $79,363,126

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline