HHS awarded $24.3M to ICF Incorporated for Head Start training and technical assistance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,337,392 ($24.3M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2010-09-08

End Date: 2015-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,756 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TAS::75 1536::TAS HEAD START TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS REGION IV CONSORTIUM AND SOUTH CAROLINA

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.3 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: TAS::75 1536::TAS HEAD START TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS REGION IV CONSORTIUM AND SOUTH CAROLINA Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust market. 2. Duration of 1756 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 3. Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may incentivize cost overruns if not closely monitored. 4. The contract's focus on training and technical assistance aligns with critical early childhood development support. 5. ICF Incorporated's role suggests established expertise in educational support services. 6. The award value of $24.3M over nearly 5 years warrants scrutiny for value for money.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for Head Start training and technical assistance. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure, while common, can lead to higher costs if the contractor does not manage expenses efficiently. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for profit, but the primary cost driver is the reimbursement of allowable costs. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and the specific services delivered to determine if the $24.3M represents a fair price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bids suggests a competitive environment, which generally benefits price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government. The specific details of the bidding process, including the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, would provide a clearer picture of the competitive intensity.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to better value for taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include Head Start programs and staff across Region IV and South Carolina, enhancing their capacity to serve children. Services delivered include crucial training and technical assistance to improve the quality of early childhood education. Geographic impact is concentrated in Region IV and South Carolina, directly supporting local Head Start initiatives. Workforce implications include professional development for Head Start staff, potentially leading to improved retention and skill levels.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns.
The long contract duration necessitates ongoing performance monitoring to ensure continued value and effectiveness.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness beyond contract completion.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
The contract addresses a critical need for training and technical assistance in early childhood education.
ICF Incorporated's established presence suggests a level of expertise and reliability in delivering these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically focusing on training and technical assistance for early childhood education programs. The market for such services is driven by federal and state funding for initiatives like Head Start. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar training and technical assistance programs, as well as the overall budget allocated to Head Start and related early learning initiatives. The size of this contract is significant within its niche.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside provisions for this contract, nor does it specify subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear from this information alone. Further investigation into the contract's subcontracting plan would be necessary to assess its implications for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust financial oversight to monitor allowable costs and ensure the fixed fee is justified. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of performance metrics and expenditures. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Head Start Program
Early Childhood Education Initiatives
Federal Training and Technical Assistance Programs
Department of Health and Human Services Grants

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires careful monitoring of costs.
Long contract duration necessitates ongoing performance evaluation.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes objective assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.3 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. TAS::75 1536::TAS HEAD START TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS REGION IV CONSORTIUM AND SOUTH CAROLINA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $24.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-08. End: 2015-06-30.

What specific training and technical assistance services were provided under this contract?

The contract aimed to provide comprehensive training and technical assistance to Head Start programs and their staff, particularly within Region IV and South Carolina. This likely encompassed a range of services designed to enhance program management, curriculum development, child development support, family engagement, and compliance with federal regulations. Specific deliverables would have been detailed in the Statement of Work (SOW), outlining the scope, objectives, and expected outcomes of the assistance. Without access to the SOW and performance reports, the precise nature and extent of services remain generalized. However, the objective was to bolster the capacity of Head Start grantees to effectively serve young children and their families.

How does the $24.3M award compare to other federal spending on similar training and technical assistance contracts?

Comparing the $24.3M award to other federal spending on similar contracts requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for a contract spanning nearly five years (1756 days), this award averages approximately $5.5 million per year. This figure can be benchmarked against other large-scale training and technical assistance contracts awarded by agencies like HHS, the Department of Education, or other entities supporting early childhood development. The value is substantial, suggesting a significant scope of work and a long-term commitment to supporting Head Start operations in the specified regions. A detailed comparison would involve analyzing contract duration, scope, number of beneficiaries, and the specific services rendered across multiple contracts.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of ICF Incorporated's services?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of ICF Incorporated's services under this contract. Typically, for training and technical assistance contracts, KPIs might include measures such as the number of staff trained, participant satisfaction rates, observed improvements in program quality metrics (e.g., classroom environment, child outcomes), successful implementation of new strategies, or adherence to regulatory requirements. The effectiveness of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract also relies on the government's ability to monitor cost efficiency and the achievement of program objectives outlined in the Statement of Work. Without explicit performance data, assessing the contractor's success is limited.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with federal contracts, particularly in educational support services?

ICF Incorporated has a significant track record with federal contracts, particularly within the realm of government consulting and support services, including educational initiatives. As a large, established firm, they have likely held numerous contracts across various federal agencies. Their involvement in providing training and technical assistance for programs like Head Start suggests a specialization and experience in this domain. A thorough review of their contract history, including past performance evaluations, contract values, and the types of services rendered, would provide a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in delivering complex federal projects. Their continued success in securing such contracts often indicates a history of satisfactory performance.

What is the historical spending pattern for Head Start training and technical assistance in Region IV and South Carolina?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award from 2010-2015. To understand historical spending patterns for Head Start training and technical assistance in Region IV and South Carolina, one would need to analyze federal spending data over a longer period, looking at all contracts awarded for these services within those specific geographic areas. This would involve identifying all relevant contracts, their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Such an analysis would reveal trends in funding levels, shifts in service providers, and the overall government investment in supporting Head Start operations through training and technical assistance in those regions.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for training services?

The primary risk associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor receives a fixed fee, their profit is based on managing the allowable costs effectively. If costs escalate beyond initial projections, the government bears the burden of these increased expenses, as the fee remains constant. This structure can sometimes disincentivize aggressive cost control by the contractor, as they are reimbursed for allowable expenses. For training services, risks include scope creep, inefficient delivery methods, and challenges in accurately estimating the resources required. Robust government oversight, clear definition of allowable costs, and diligent monitoring of expenditures are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc. (UEI: 139001544)

Address: 9300 LEE HWY, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,337,392

Exercised Options: $24,337,392

Current Obligation: $24,337,392

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED

Timeline