Merit Systems Protection Board awards $690K for temporary support services in Oakland, CA

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,014 ($69.0K)

Contractor: Technical Personnel Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Merit Systems Protection Board

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-04-05

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $190/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TEMPORARY SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE MSPB WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20036

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Merit Systems Protection Board obligated $69,014.4 to TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES INC for work described as: TEMPORARY SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE MSPB WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Technical Personnel Services Inc. for temporary support. 2. Service period spans from April 2026 to April 2027. 3. The contract was secured through full and open competition. 4. Delivery order type indicates a specific task within a larger contract. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561320 (Temporary Help Services). 6. The contract is firm-fixed-price, indicating a set cost regardless of effort. 7. The base period of performance is 364 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $690,144 for 364 days of temporary support services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized staffing needs. Benchmarking against similar contracts for temporary administrative or technical support in government settings would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the agency has a defined scope of work and expects predictable costs, which is generally positive for budget management. However, without specific details on the skill sets required and the number of personnel to be provided, a precise value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 8 bids suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. A competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and can result in more favorable terms for the government. The number of bidders provides some assurance that the selected contractor's pricing is likely competitive within the market.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process, with multiple bidders, is beneficial for taxpayers as it helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for the required services and that a competitive market is driving the pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Western Regional Office in Oakland, California, which will receive essential temporary support services. These services are crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and administrative functions within the regional office. The contract supports the MSPB's mission of protecting federal merit system principles. The geographic impact is localized to Oakland, California, and surrounding areas where the temporary staff will be employed.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for high turnover in temporary positions impacting institutional knowledge.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions.
Risk of scope creep if the temporary needs evolve beyond the initial definition.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs and manage budget.
Clear performance period (April 2026 - April 2027) provides defined expectations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on temporary staffing solutions. The market for government temporary help services is substantial, with agencies frequently utilizing such contracts to manage fluctuating workloads, fill short-term vacancies, or access specialized skills without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found by analyzing other federal contracts for temporary administrative, clerical, or technical support services across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract, as the 'sb' field is false. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without a small business set-aside or specific subcontracting goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is likely minimal, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the program officials at the Merit Systems Protection Board's Western Regional Office. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the public availability of contract awards. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the MSPB's internal policies and the nature of any potential issues that might arise during contract performance.

Related Government Programs

Temporary Staffing Services
Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Regional Office Operations
Merit Systems Protection Board Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for inconsistent service quality due to temporary staffing.
Need for robust oversight to ensure performance meets MSPB standards.
Risk of contractor not meeting delivery timelines if internal staffing is insufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Merit Systems Protection Board awarded $69,014.4 to TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES INC. TEMPORARY SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE MSPB WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Merit Systems Protection Board (Merit Systems Protection Board).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $69,014.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-04-05.

What specific types of temporary support services are being procured under this contract?

The contract, identified by NAICS code 561320, is for 'Temporary Help Services.' While the specific tasks are not detailed in the provided data, this typically encompasses providing personnel to perform administrative, clerical, technical, or other support functions on a temporary basis. Examples could include administrative assistants, office clerks, receptionists, or specialized technical support staff needed to fill short-term gaps or manage project-specific demands at the MSPB Western Regional Office in Oakland, California. The exact nature of the services would be further defined in the Statement of Work (SOW) associated with this delivery order.

How does the awarded amount compare to typical spending for similar temporary support services by federal agencies?

The awarded amount of $690,144 for a 364-day period equates to approximately $1,896 per day. This daily rate, when divided by the number of personnel and their respective roles, would offer a clearer comparison. Federal agencies frequently procure temporary help services, and rates can vary significantly based on geographic location, required skill sets, and the level of experience needed. Without knowing the number of individuals or their specific qualifications, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, for general administrative support, this rate might be considered moderate to high, suggesting potentially specialized skills or a competitive regional labor market in Oakland.

What are the potential risks associated with using temporary support staff for regional office functions?

Using temporary support staff can introduce several risks. A primary concern is the potential for reduced institutional knowledge and continuity, as temporary employees may have shorter tenures and less familiarity with agency-specific processes and culture. There's also a risk of inconsistent performance if training and onboarding are not robust. Furthermore, over-reliance on temporary staff might hinder the development of a stable, experienced core workforce. Security and access control for temporary personnel also require careful management. Finally, if the scope of work expands beyond the initial contract, it could lead to cost overruns or require a new procurement process.

What is the track record of Technical Personnel Services Inc. in providing similar services to the federal government?

Assessing the track record of Technical Personnel Services Inc. would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their past performance on similar contracts. Key indicators to examine would include contract history, past performance evaluations, any reported disputes or terminations, and the types of agencies they have served. A positive history with timely delivery, quality service, and adherence to contract terms would indicate a lower risk. Conversely, a history of performance issues or contract disputes would raise concerns about their ability to successfully execute this new award.

How does the firm-fixed-price contract type influence the risk allocation between the government and the contractor?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type shifts the majority of the cost risk to the contractor. Under an FFP agreement, the contractor is obligated to complete the work for a predetermined price, regardless of the actual costs incurred. This means that if the contractor's expenses are higher than anticipated, their profit margin will decrease. Conversely, if they manage their costs effectively, their profit will increase. For the government, this provides budget certainty and predictability, as the price is fixed. However, it can also incentivize contractors to cut corners if not properly monitored, and it may lead to higher initial pricing to account for the contractor's risk.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 211 W SUPERIOR ST, WAYLAND, MI, 49348

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $207,043

Exercised Options: $69,014

Current Obligation: $69,014

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA25D007B

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline