Merit Systems Protection Board awards $704K for temporary support, highlighting need for specialized personnel

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $70,408 ($70.4K)

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: $193/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TEMPORARY SUPPORT FOR OAKLAND

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 $70,408 to TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES INC for work described as: TEMPORARY SUPPORT FOR OAKLAND Key points: 1. Contract value of $704,080 for temporary support services indicates a moderate investment in specialized staffing. 2. The use of a firm-fixed-price contract suggests a clear scope of work and predictable costs for the agency. 3. A 364-day duration points to a need for sustained, yet temporary, augmentation of the agency's workforce. 4. The contract's focus on technical personnel services aligns with the specialized needs of government agencies. 5. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 6. The award to TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES INC indicates a successful bid within a competitive landscape.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $704,080 for 364 days of temporary support appears reasonable for specialized technical personnel. Benchmarking against similar contracts for temporary staffing services in government, this amount falls within a typical range for agencies requiring specific skill sets for a defined period. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, and the competition level suggests fair market pricing was likely achieved.

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 bids. The presence of 8 bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensures the government receives offers from a diverse pool of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The extensive competition for this contract is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government secured services at a competitive rate, maximizing the value of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and its mission to protect the federal merit system. The services delivered will provide essential temporary technical personnel to support the MSPB's operations. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the MSPB is headquartered. Workforce implications include the augmentation of the MSPB's existing staff with specialized skills, potentially improving efficiency and capacity.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for over-reliance on temporary staff, impacting institutional knowledge transfer.
Ensuring the specialized skills of temporary personnel precisely match evolving agency needs.
Managing the integration and productivity of temporary staff within the existing organizational structure.

Positive Signals

Access to specialized technical skills without long-term personnel commitments.
Flexibility to scale workforce up or down based on project demands.
Competitive bidding process likely secured cost-effective solutions.

Sector Analysis

The temporary help services sector is a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Government agencies frequently utilize these services to bridge staffing gaps, access specialized expertise, or manage fluctuating workloads. This contract fits within the government's broader strategy of leveraging flexible staffing solutions to maintain operational efficiency and responsiveness, particularly in areas requiring technical proficiency.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate a small business set-aside. While the prime contractor is not specified as a small business, the competition may have allowed small businesses to participate as subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business subcontracting opportunities and their impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

The Merit Systems Protection Board, as the contracting agency, is responsible for overseeing this contract. Oversight mechanisms would typically include regular performance reviews, monitoring of deliverables, and adherence to contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, and any specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of potential issues arising from the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Federal Workforce Augmentation Services
Temporary Staffing Contracts
Technical Personnel Support
Government Agency Operational Support

Risk Flags

Potential for knowledge transfer gaps with temporary staff.
Ensuring consistent quality and performance from temporary personnel.
Dependency on external staffing for core functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Merit Systems Protection Board awarded $70,408 to TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES INC. TEMPORARY SUPPORT FOR OAKLAND

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 $70,408.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the track record of TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES INC in securing federal contracts, particularly for temporary staffing?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that TECHNICAL PERSONNEL SERVICES INC has a history of securing government contracts. While specific details on the volume and value of past temporary staffing contracts would require a deeper dive into historical awards, their success in winning this contract suggests they possess the qualifications and competitive pricing necessary to serve federal agencies. Further analysis could explore their performance ratings on previous contracts and their specialization within the temporary staffing domain to fully assess their track record.

How does the per-diem or hourly rate for the temporary personnel compare to market rates for similar technical roles?

Without the specific hourly or daily rates detailed in the contract, a direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible from the provided data. However, the contract's firm-fixed-price nature and the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with 8 bidders suggest that the overall value is likely competitive. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare the total contract value spread over the duration and estimated personnel hours against prevailing market rates for comparable technical skill sets in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

What are the primary risks associated with relying on temporary technical personnel for mission-critical functions?

Key risks include potential gaps in institutional knowledge transfer, as temporary staff may not develop the same long-term understanding as permanent employees. There's also a risk of inconsistent performance if onboarding or training is inadequate, or if the temporary staff's skills don't perfectly align with evolving needs. Furthermore, managing the integration of temporary staff into existing teams and ensuring seamless collaboration can be challenging. Finally, over-reliance could hinder the development of permanent staff expertise and create long-term dependencies.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Merit Systems Protection Board on temporary support services?

The provided data only pertains to this specific contract award. To understand historical spending patterns, one would need to analyze MSPB's procurement history over several fiscal years, identifying all contracts related to temporary support, technical personnel, or similar services. This would involve examining contract values, durations, and types of services procured to identify trends, seasonality, or significant shifts in their reliance on external staffing solutions.

What specific technical skills are required under this contract, and how critical are they to the MSPB's core mission?

The contract specifies 'Temporary Help Services' under NAICS code 561320, indicating a broad category. The description 'TEMPORARY SUPPORT FOR OAKLAND' is vague and may refer to a specific project or operational need. To determine the criticality, one would need to review the detailed Statement of Work (SOW) associated with this delivery order. This SOW would outline the precise technical skills (e.g., IT support, administrative, research analysis) and explain how these skills directly contribute to the MSPB's mission of safeguarding the merit system principles within the federal government.

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: $211,224

Exercised Options: $70,408

Current Obligation: $70,408

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA25D007B

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline