USDA Forest Service awards $5.6M contract for Job Corps outreach and transition services to LifeSkills Connection Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,600,948 ($5.6M)

Contractor: Lifeskills Connection Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-02-03

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,305 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FOREST SERVICE JOB CORPS OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES (OA/CTS) FOR THE CHICAGO REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, AND

Place of Performance

Location: MANNING, CARROLL County, IOWA, 51455

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $5.6 million to LIFESKILLS CONNECTION INC for work described as: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FOREST SERVICE JOB CORPS OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES (OA/CTS) FOR THE CHICAGO REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, AND Key points: 1. Contract awarded to LifeSkills Connection Inc. for Job Corps outreach and career transition services. 2. The contract supports Civilian Conservation Centers in Missouri and Nebraska. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. This award falls under Educational Support Services (NAICS 611710).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.6 million over approximately 4 years appears reasonable for the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for educational support and outreach programs would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating an effort to solicit a broad range of potential offerors. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for the discovery of the most advantageous offer for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive bidding process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential Job Corps support services.

Public Impact

Supports critical Job Corps programs that provide vocational training and education to young people. Enhances outreach and admissions efforts, potentially increasing enrollment in conservation centers. Career transition services aim to improve post-program employment outcomes for participants. The contract's duration of over three years provides stability for service delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specific service requirements.
Contract duration may impact long-term program continuity if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition is a positive signal for value.
Supports a valuable federal program for youth development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Educational Support Services sector, specifically supporting federal Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers. Spending in this area is crucial for workforce development and youth engagement initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was solicited or achieved through subcontracting.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the USDA Forest Service, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The use of a definitive contract and competitive bidding suggests adherence to procurement regulations.

Related Government Programs

Educational Support Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Forest Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specific service requirements.
Lack of small business awardee noted.
Need for detailed performance metrics to ensure value for money.
Contract duration requires careful monitoring for continued effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $5.6 million to LIFESKILLS CONNECTION INC. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) FOREST SERVICE JOB CORPS OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES (OA/CTS) FOR THE CHICAGO REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, AND

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIFESKILLS CONNECTION INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-03. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the specific scope of 'outreach and admissions and career transition services' covered by this contract?

The contract likely encompasses activities such as recruiting potential students, guiding them through the application process, providing orientation, and offering post-program support like job placement assistance and career counseling. The exact deliverables would be detailed in the contract's statement of work, specifying the target regions and the nature of support for the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers.

How does the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method impact potential cost savings?

While 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' aims for broad participation, the exclusion of specific sources might limit the competitive pool. If the excluded sources were significant potential bidders, this could potentially reduce price pressure. However, if the exclusions were based on specific qualifications necessary for the unique services, it could lead to better-suited proposals and ultimately better value, even if not the absolute lowest price.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for evaluating the effectiveness of LifeSkills Connection Inc.'s services?

Effective evaluation would likely involve tracking KPIs such as the number of individuals successfully recruited and enrolled, completion rates of Job Corps programs, post-graduation employment rates, and the average starting salary of placed participants. Feedback from the Civilian Conservation Centers and the participants themselves would also be crucial for assessing the quality and impact of the outreach and transition services provided.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1282A723R0001

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 400 N EAST ST, MANNING, IA, 51455

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,272,641

Exercised Options: $5,600,948

Current Obligation: $5,600,948

Actual Outlays: $4,399,186

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline