Department of the Interior's SECO Program Support contract awarded to Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. for over $78.8 million

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $78,803,135 ($78.8M)

Contractor: Zeiders Enterprises, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2012-09-27

End Date: 2017-09-26

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $43.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: "IGF::OT::IGF" DOD SPOUSE EDUCATION CAREER OPPORTUNITIES(SECO)PROGRAM SUPPORT.

Place of Performance

Location: WOODBRIDGE, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22192

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $78.8 million to ZEIDERS ENTERPRISES, INC. for work described as: "IGF::OT::IGF" DOD SPOUSE EDUCATION CAREER OPPORTUNITIES(SECO)PROGRAM SUPPORT. Key points: 1. The contract value of over $78.8 million over five years suggests a significant investment in support services. 2. Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. secured this contract through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract's duration of 1825 days (5 years) provides a long-term framework for service delivery. 4. The primary service category is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, aligning with program support needs. 5. The contract was awarded as a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle or a similar framework. 6. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government, though it places cost risk on the contractor.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $78.8 million over five years, averaging around $15.76 million annually, appears reasonable for comprehensive program support services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale administrative and management consulting contracts for federal agencies would provide further context. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests an expectation of cost control, but detailed cost breakdowns are not available to assess profit margins or specific cost efficiencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 5 bidders indicates a healthy level of competition for this significant contract. This competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down prices through market forces and ensures the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Department of the Interior employees and their families who utilize the Spouse Education Career Opportunities (SECO) program. The services delivered are expected to include administrative management and general management consulting to support the SECO program's objectives. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, as SECO programs typically serve military and civilian families across various locations. Workforce implications include the potential for employment opportunities within Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration could lead to vendor lock-in.
Ensuring consistent service quality across all locations and program aspects requires robust oversight.

Positive Signals

The contract's fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive process that likely yielded a fair price.
The long-term duration allows for program stability and continuity of services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector, a broad category encompassing a wide range of professional services. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, utilizing them for program management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. The market size for federal management consulting is substantial, with numerous firms, including large and small businesses, competing for contracts. This specific contract's value places it in the mid-to-large tier for individual service contracts within this sector.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by `ss: false` and `sb: false`. This means that large businesses were eligible to compete and potentially win. While there is no direct small business set-aside, Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill certain aspects of the contract, contributing to the broader small business ecosystem. However, the primary awardee is not a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS-NG. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program
Federal Administrative Management Consulting Services
General Management Consulting Services Contracts
Department of the Interior Program Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Long-term contract duration may increase risk of vendor lock-in.
Fixed-price contract places cost risk on contractor, potentially impacting quality if not managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data requires assumption of standard oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $78.8 million to ZEIDERS ENTERPRISES, INC.. "IGF::OT::IGF" DOD SPOUSE EDUCATION CAREER OPPORTUNITIES(SECO)PROGRAM SUPPORT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ZEIDERS ENTERPRISES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $78.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-09-27. End: 2017-09-26.

What is the historical spending pattern for the SECO Program Support contract with Zeiders Enterprises, Inc.?

The provided data indicates a single award of $78,803,135.14 with a duration of 1825 days (5 years), from September 27, 2012, to September 26, 2017. This suggests that this specific contract represented the entirety of the spending for SECO Program Support by the Department of the Interior during that period. Without access to historical data prior to 2012 or subsequent contracts, it's difficult to establish a long-term spending trend. However, the substantial value of this single award indicates a significant and consistent investment in the program over its five-year term.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar contracts for spouse education and career support programs?

Comparing this $78.8 million contract directly to other federal spouse education and career support programs is challenging without specific data on comparable programs. However, the SECO program is a well-established initiative, often associated with the Department of Defense, which has a much larger population of eligible families. The Department of the Interior's award suggests a tailored approach to supporting its own civilian workforce families. The value is substantial for a specific agency's program, indicating a comprehensive service delivery model. Benchmarking against other large-scale administrative support contracts within the federal government, rather than solely spouse programs, might offer a broader perspective on value for money.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate Zeiders Enterprises, Inc.'s performance on this contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical KPIs for administrative management and general management consulting services contracts often include metrics related to program outreach, participant engagement, successful completion of educational or career milestones by beneficiaries, client satisfaction surveys, timeliness of service delivery, and adherence to budget. For the SECO program, KPIs would likely focus on the effectiveness of career counseling, job placement assistance, and educational support provided to spouses. Robust oversight by the Department of the Interior would involve regular performance reviews against these defined metrics.

What is the risk associated with relying on a single contractor for a five-year program support contract?

The primary risks associated with relying on a single contractor for a five-year contract include potential vendor lock-in, reduced incentive for innovation over time, and vulnerability to contractor performance issues. If Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. were to experience significant performance degradation or financial instability, the continuity of the SECO program could be jeopardized. Mitigating these risks typically involves strong contract management, clearly defined performance standards, regular performance evaluations, and contingency planning by the contracting agency. The fixed-price nature, while beneficial for cost control, can sometimes disincentivize contractors from exceeding basic performance requirements if not coupled with performance-based incentives.

What is the breakdown of services provided under this contract?

The contract is classified under NAICS code 541611, which denotes Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. This broad classification suggests that Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. was responsible for a range of services aimed at supporting the operational and strategic aspects of the Department of the Interior's Spouse Education Career Opportunities (SECO) Program. These services could encompass program planning and execution, administrative support, data management, reporting, stakeholder engagement, and potentially the development or refinement of program policies and procedures. The exact breakdown would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

Were there any past performance issues with Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. on previous government contracts?

The provided data does not include information on Zeiders Enterprises, Inc.'s past performance on previous government contracts. A comprehensive assessment of contractor risk would typically involve reviewing past performance evaluations, such as Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports, to identify any history of issues related to quality, timeliness, cost control, or management. The fact that they were awarded this significant contract through full and open competition suggests that, at the time of award, their past performance was deemed acceptable or favorable by the Department of the Interior.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: D12PS00201

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3421 COMMISSION CT STE 101, WOODBRIDGE, VA, 22192

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $121,219,929

Exercised Options: $121,219,929

Current Obligation: $78,803,135

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $3,023,226

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02F0234W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline