USDA Forest Service awards $5.4M contract for Job Corps outreach and career transition services to Lifeskills Connection Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,385,916 ($5.4M)

Contractor: Lifeskills Connection Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2023-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

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 PHILADELPHIA REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF VIRGINIA, WEST VIRG

Place of Performance

Location: MANNING, CARROLL County, IOWA, 51455

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $5.4 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 PHILADELPHIA REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF VIRGINIA, WEST VIRG Key points: 1. The contract aims to support Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers in Virginia and West Virginia. 2. Lifeskills Connection Inc. is the sole awardee for these critical support services. 3. The contract is structured as a firm-fixed-price definitive contract. 4. Performance is expected over a 3-year period, from September 2023 to August 2026. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a specific reason for limiting initial bidders. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611710 suggests services related to educational support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $5.4 million over three years for outreach and career transition services appears to be within a reasonable range for supporting multiple Job Corps centers. However, without specific benchmarks for the number of individuals served or the scope of services per center, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of detailed performance metrics in the provided data limits a deeper evaluation of efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded initially, possibly due to pre-existing relationships or specific qualifications required. The presence of 5 bidders indicates some level of competition, but the 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the rationale behind the initial limitations.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition, even after an initial exclusion of sources, may have resulted in a less competitive pricing environment, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers than a truly open and unrestricted competition might have achieved.

Public Impact

Young individuals in Virginia and West Virginia seeking vocational training and career development through the Job Corps program will benefit from these services. The contract ensures the continuity of outreach, admissions, and career transition support, crucial for program enrollment and participant success. Geographic impact is focused on the regions served by Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers in Virginia and West Virginia. The services provided are expected to have positive workforce implications by preparing participants for employment in various sectors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type raises questions about the breadth of initial market engagement.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the awarded services.
The specific nature of 'career transition services' could be further clarified to understand the full scope of support provided.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the Forest Service.
The contract duration of three years allows for stable service delivery and program continuity.
The award to Lifeskills Connection Inc. suggests they possess the necessary qualifications for these specialized services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader educational support services sector, specifically focusing on vocational training and workforce development programs like Job Corps. The market for such services is driven by government funding for youth employment and training initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other federal or state contracts for similar outreach, admissions, and career transition services for disadvantaged youth programs.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. This suggests that the prime contractor, Lifeskills Connection Inc., is likely not a small business, and there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting with small businesses detailed in this award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting opportunities exist or were encouraged.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance work statement, requiring Lifeskills Connection Inc. to meet specific service delivery standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed operational reports are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

Job Corps Program
Civilian Conservation Centers
Department of Labor - Job Corps
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs
Youth Employment Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition after exclusion of sources
Potential for contractor performance issues
Dependence on specific outreach and transition service effectiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $5.4 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 PHILADELPHIA REGION SUPPORTING JOB CORPS CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CENTERS LOCATED IN THE STATES OF VIRGINIA, WEST VIRG

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 $5.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of Lifeskills Connection Inc. in delivering similar Job Corps outreach and career transition services?

A comprehensive review of Lifeskills Connection Inc.'s past performance would be necessary to fully assess their track record. This would involve examining previous contracts with federal agencies, particularly the Department of Agriculture or Labor, for similar services. Key indicators to evaluate would include on-time delivery, quality of services, client satisfaction, and any history of contract disputes or performance issues. Without access to past performance evaluations or detailed contract history for Lifeskills Connection Inc., it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their capabilities in this specific area.

How does the awarded amount of $5.4 million compare to similar Job Corps outreach contracts in other regions?

Benchmarking this $5.4 million contract against similar Job Corps outreach and career transition services in other regions requires access to a broader dataset of federal contracts. Factors such as the number of centers supported, the geographic scope, the specific services included (e.g., intensity of career counseling, outreach methods), and the target population size significantly influence contract value. A preliminary assessment suggests the amount is reasonable for supporting multiple centers over three years, but a detailed comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with comparable scope and scale, adjusting for regional cost differences and specific program requirements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks for this contract include the contractor's ability to effectively recruit and retain participants for the Job Corps program, ensuring the quality and relevance of career transition services, and managing the logistical complexities of supporting centers across different locations. Mitigation strategies likely involve the Forest Service's oversight mechanisms, including performance monitoring, regular reporting requirements, and defined service level agreements within the contract. The firm-fixed-price nature also shifts some financial risk to the contractor. However, specific risk mitigation plans are not detailed in the provided award data.

What is the expected effectiveness of these services in improving Job Corps participant outcomes?

The effectiveness of these outreach, admissions, and career transition services is crucial for improving Job Corps participant outcomes, such as enrollment rates, completion rates, and post-program employment. While the contract aims to facilitate these positive outcomes, its actual effectiveness will depend on the quality of the services delivered by Lifeskills Connection Inc. and the specific needs of the target population. Measuring this effectiveness would typically involve tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) outlined in the contract, such as the number of individuals successfully enrolled, the types of career pathways pursued, and subsequent job placement success rates.

What has been the historical spending pattern for Job Corps outreach and career transition services by the USDA Forest Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for Job Corps outreach and career transition services by the USDA Forest Service would provide context for the current $5.4 million award. This would involve examining contract data over several fiscal years to identify trends in contract values, awardees, and the scope of services. Understanding past spending can reveal whether this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in these services. It can also highlight any shifts in contracting strategies or the types of services prioritized by the agency over time.

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: 1282A723R0013

Offers Received: 5

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: $9,216,530

Exercised Options: $5,385,916

Current Obligation: $5,385,916

Actual Outlays: $4,169,758

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline