VA's $145.8M Transition Assistance Program contract awarded to Calibre Systems Inc. for HR consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $145,835,806 ($145.8M)

Contractor: Calibre Systems Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2020-09-15

End Date: 2026-05-17

Contract Duration: 2,070 days

Daily Burn Rate: $70.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20006

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $145.8 million to CALIBRE SYSTEMS INC for work described as: TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in supporting transitioning service members. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are crucial for ensuring fair pricing and service quality. 3. Performance monitoring and risk indicators will be key to successful program delivery. 4. This contract's duration of over 5 years suggests a long-term commitment to the program. 5. The focus on HR consulting services highlights the importance of administrative support for veterans. 6. The contract's geographic scope is limited to the District of Columbia.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $145.8 million over approximately 5.7 years suggests a substantial investment in transition assistance. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale HR consulting contracts for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive sign for the government if the price is competitive. However, without specific performance metrics and comparison data, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. With 5 bids received, the competition level appears moderate, suggesting that while there was interest, it may not have been a highly contested bid. This level of competition generally supports price discovery and encourages competitive pricing, but a higher number of bidders could potentially drive prices down further.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition with multiple bidders is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a competitive price and encourages efficient service delivery.

Public Impact

Transitioning service members and their families will benefit from enhanced HR consulting services. The program aims to facilitate a smoother transition from military to civilian life. Services delivered include human resources consulting, likely covering areas such as career counseling, resume building, and job placement assistance. The geographic impact is focused on the District of Columbia, serving personnel transitioning within or to this region. Workforce implications include potential support for veterans entering the civilian workforce and the creation of jobs within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Risk of service quality degradation if contractor performance is not rigorously monitored.
Dependence on a single contractor for a critical support function could pose continuity risks.
Geographic limitation to DC may not serve all transitioning service members effectively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process.
Firm fixed-price contract structure shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor.
Long contract duration allows for program stability and potential for long-term impact.
Focus on HR consulting addresses a key need for transitioning service members.

Sector Analysis

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) falls within the broader human resources and professional services sector. This contract specifically addresses the need for specialized consulting services to support military personnel transitioning to civilian careers. The market for such services is driven by government mandates and the commitment to veteran support. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large federal contracts for HR consulting, outplacement services, or workforce development programs.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb: false'. The prime contractor, Calibre Systems Inc., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific prime contract is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program
Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)
Hiring Our Heroes

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality issues if performance is not rigorously monitored.
Geographic limitation may not serve all transitioning service members.
Contract duration could lead to contractor complacency if not managed actively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $145.8 million to CALIBRE SYSTEMS INC. TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CALIBRE SYSTEMS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $145.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-15. End: 2026-05-17.

What is the historical spending trend for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) at the Department of Veterans Affairs?

The provided data reflects a single contract award of $145.8 million for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to Calibre Systems Inc., with a period of performance from September 15, 2020, to May 17, 2026. This specific contract represents a significant financial commitment. To understand the historical spending trend, one would need to examine prior contracts for TAP services awarded by the VA, including their values, durations, and awarded contractors. Analyzing spending over multiple fiscal years would reveal whether this contract represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment in TAP services. Without access to historical contract data for TAP, it is difficult to establish a trend. However, the substantial value of this current award suggests a continued and significant focus on providing transition assistance.

How does the per-unit cost of services under this contract compare to similar HR consulting services for federal agencies?

The provided data does not include specific details on the quantity of services delivered or the breakdown of costs per unit, making a direct per-unit cost comparison impossible. The contract is for 'Human Resources Consulting Services' with a total value of $145.8 million over approximately 2070 days (around 5.7 years). To benchmark the per-unit cost, we would need to know the specific services provided (e.g., number of counseling sessions, workshops delivered, individuals assisted) and their associated costs. Comparing this to similar HR consulting contracts within the federal government, particularly those focused on transition assistance or workforce development, would be necessary. Factors such as the complexity of services, geographic scope, and the level of expertise required would influence these costs. Without this granular data, any comparison would be speculative.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) under this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) focused on HR consulting, typical KPIs would likely revolve around the effectiveness of services in helping service members transition to civilian life. These could include metrics such as the percentage of service members who secure employment within a specified period post-transition, the average time taken to find employment, participant satisfaction rates with the services received, the number of career counseling sessions conducted, and the successful completion of transition workshops. The VA's contracting officers and program managers would be responsible for defining and monitoring these KPIs to ensure the contractor, Calibre Systems Inc., is meeting the program's objectives and delivering value.

What is Calibre Systems Inc.'s track record in delivering similar HR consulting or transition support services to the federal government?

Calibre Systems Inc. has a history of providing professional services, including HR consulting and support, to various U.S. federal agencies. While the provided data focuses on this specific $145.8 million VA contract, a broader review of Calibre's contract portfolio would reveal their experience with similar programs. Agencies often award contracts for workforce management, human capital strategy, and organizational development to companies like Calibre. Their track record would be assessed based on past performance evaluations, contract completion history, and client feedback from previous government engagements. A positive performance history in delivering complex HR solutions and support services would indicate a lower risk for this TAP contract.

What is the estimated value of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) annually, based on this contract?

Based on the total contract value of $145,835,805.63 and a duration of approximately 2070 days (from September 15, 2020, to May 17, 2026), we can estimate the annual spending. The contract period spans roughly 5.67 years (2070 days / 365.25 days/year). Dividing the total contract value by the number of years gives an approximate annual spending rate: $145,835,805.63 / 5.67 years ≈ $25,720,565 per year. This figure represents the average annual expenditure allocated to Calibre Systems Inc. for providing Transition Assistance Program services under this specific contract. It's important to note that actual spending may fluctuate year-to-year based on program needs and delivery schedules.

Are there any specific risks associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for this Transition Assistance Program?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type for this Transition Assistance Program (TAP) generally offers advantages for the government by establishing a ceiling price and shifting cost overrun risks to the contractor, Calibre Systems Inc. However, potential risks exist. If the initial price was set too low due to competitive pressures or inaccurate cost estimations by the contractor, it could incentivize the contractor to cut corners on service quality or scope to maintain profitability. Conversely, if the price was set too high, taxpayers could overpay for the services. Effective oversight and clearly defined performance standards are crucial under an FFP contract to ensure that the government receives the intended value and quality of services without incurring unexpected costs or compromising program effectiveness.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6361 WALKER LN, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22310

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $263,140,729

Exercised Options: $151,383,035

Current Obligation: $145,835,806

Actual Outlays: $131,440,767

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 10

Total Subaward Amount: $71,161,508

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02Q16DCR0040

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline