FCC awards $7M contract for EEO Counseling Services to Inquest Solutions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,000 ($7.0K)

Contractor: Inquest Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Federal Communications Commission

Start Date: 2026-02-13

End Date: 2027-02-12

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EEO COUNSELING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ALPHARETTA, FORSYTH County, GEORGIA, 30004

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Federal Communications Commission obligated $7,000 to INQUEST SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: EEO COUNSELING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract aims to ensure fair employment practices and compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity laws. 2. The contract value of $7 million over its term suggests a moderate investment in essential HR functions. 3. Competition dynamics for this contract are crucial for ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality of services. 4. Performance will be monitored to ensure adherence to EEO regulations and effective dispute resolution. 5. This contract positions the FCC to proactively manage employee relations and mitigate legal risks. 6. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7 million over approximately one year appears reasonable for specialized EEO counseling services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for federal agencies of the FCC's size would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the fixed-price structure suggests the agency has a clear understanding of the expected costs and is seeking to control its spending.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is expected to foster competitive pricing and encourage high-quality service delivery as vendors vie for the contract. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation is a positive sign for market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the FCC will benefit from accessible and impartial EEO counseling services. The services delivered will support the agency's commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce. This contract helps the FCC maintain compliance with federal EEO regulations, preventing potential legal challenges. The contract supports specialized roles within the HR and legal support sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service delivery delays if contractor resources are overstretched.
Risk of inconsistent service quality across different EEO case types.
Dependence on contractor expertise for sensitive employee relations matters.

Positive Signals

Proactive approach to employee relations and dispute resolution.
Commitment to fostering a fair and equitable workplace environment.
Utilizing a competitive bidding process to secure best value.

Sector Analysis

The EEO counseling services sector involves specialized consulting firms that provide expertise in employment law, mediation, and conflict resolution for organizations. This contract fits within the broader administrative and management consulting services market, which is a significant segment of the professional services industry. Federal agencies frequently contract for these services to ensure compliance and manage workforce issues effectively.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to participate in the bidding process or if subcontracting opportunities exist within the awarded contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Federal Communications Commission's contracting officers and relevant HR departments. Performance metrics and regular reporting from the contractor are expected to be key accountability measures. Transparency is facilitated through the federal procurement data system, where contract awards are publicly recorded.

Related Government Programs

Federal Employee Dispute Resolution
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Services
Human Resources Consulting Services
Administrative Management Services

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality variance
Contractor performance monitoring required
Data security and confidentiality concerns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Federal Communications Commission awarded $7,000 to INQUEST SOLUTIONS, INC.. EEO COUNSELING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INQUEST SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communications Commission).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-13. End: 2027-02-12.

What is the track record of Inquest Solutions, Inc. in providing EEO counseling services to federal agencies?

Information regarding Inquest Solutions, Inc.'s specific track record in providing EEO counseling services to federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, client references, and any history of contract disputes or successful contract completions with other government entities. Understanding their experience with similar contract scopes and volumes would be crucial for evaluating their capability to fulfill the FCC's requirements effectively and efficiently.

How does the awarded contract value compare to similar EEO counseling contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Without specific benchmark data for comparable EEO counseling contracts, it is difficult to definitively assess the value for money. However, the $7 million award over approximately one year suggests a significant investment. To conduct a thorough comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar scopes of work, service levels, and client agency sizes (e.g., other independent regulatory agencies or departments with comparable employee numbers). Factors like geographic coverage, specific services offered (e.g., mediation, investigation, training), and contract duration would also need to be considered for an accurate benchmark.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential disruptions in service delivery if the contractor faces staffing shortages or internal issues, and the possibility of inconsistent quality in counseling or dispute resolution. There's also a risk related to data security and confidentiality, given the sensitive nature of EEO matters. Mitigation strategies likely involve clearly defined performance standards in the contract, regular performance reviews, robust reporting requirements, and potentially contingency plans outlined by the contractor. The FCC's oversight mechanisms are critical for identifying and addressing these risks proactively.

How effective is the FCC's approach to ensuring EEO compliance through external counseling services?

The effectiveness of relying on external counseling services for EEO compliance hinges on the quality of the contractor and the robustness of the FCC's oversight. While external providers can offer specialized expertise and impartiality, their effectiveness is measured by their ability to resolve disputes efficiently, provide accurate guidance, and contribute to a positive workplace environment. Success metrics could include reduced formal complaints, timely resolution of issues, and positive feedback from FCC employees. The 'full and open competition' award suggests an effort to secure a capable provider, but ongoing performance monitoring is essential to gauge true effectiveness.

What has been the FCC's historical spending on EEO counseling services?

The provided data does not include historical spending information for the FCC's EEO counseling services. To analyze historical patterns, one would need to access previous contract awards for similar services, noting the values, durations, and contractors involved over several fiscal years. This would help identify trends in spending, potential increases or decreases, and the consistency of service providers, offering context for the current $7 million award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 273FCC24Q0015

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Inquest Solutions Inc.

Address: 18 CUMMING ST, ALPHARETTA, GA, 30009

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $33,400

Exercised Options: $33,400

Current Obligation: $7,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 273FCC24A0006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline