ICF Incorporated awarded $13.2M contract for training and technical assistance by the Office of Head Start

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,232,296 ($13.2M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-08-01

End Date: 2025-09-15

Contract Duration: 1,871 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OFFICE OF HEAD START, REGION 7, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK

Place of Performance

Location: KANSAS CITY, JACKSON County, MISSOURI, 64106

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $13.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: OFFICE OF HEAD START, REGION 7, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK Key points: 1. Contract provides administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract duration is over 1800 days, indicating a long-term need. 3. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The base value is substantial, requiring careful monitoring of performance and costs. 6. This contract supports the Head Start program's mission to provide early childhood education. 7. The geographic scope appears to be Region 7, focusing on specific operational areas.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable service contracts. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while common for services where scope can evolve, carries inherent risks for cost overruns if not managed diligently. The raw dollar amount suggests a significant investment in administrative and consulting support for the Head Start program. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the efficiency of the services provided against the total cost.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is generally expected to drive better pricing and service quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. The agency's decision to use this procurement method implies confidence in achieving fair market value through the bidding process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure services at the best possible price and quality. Full and open competition increases the likelihood that the government is not overpaying for the services rendered.

Public Impact

Benefits children and families served by the Head Start program through improved operational support. Delivers essential training and technical assistance to Head Start grantees. Geographic impact is focused on Region 7, likely encompassing specific states or areas within that region. Supports a network of administrative and management professionals involved in early childhood education services. Enhances the capacity of Head Start programs to effectively deliver educational and support services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess value for money.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued relevance and efficiency.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
Supports a critical federal program (Head Start) aimed at early childhood development.
Contractor has a significant role in providing essential training and technical assistance.

Sector Analysis

The Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611) is a broad category encompassing a wide range of professional services. Federal spending in this area is substantial, supporting various agency functions from strategic planning to operational efficiency. This contract fits within the broader federal strategy to enhance program delivery and management through expert consultation. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the training and technical assistance provided.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false for this contract. This suggests that the contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have explicit subcontracting requirements for small businesses detailed in this summary. The primary contractor, ICF Incorporated, is a large entity, and the absence of small business set-aside provisions means that opportunities for small business involvement may be limited unless proactively pursued by the prime contractor.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Office of Head Start and potentially the relevant agency oversight bodies within the Department of Health and Human Services (though the agency listed is Interior, which may be an error in the provided data). Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement, milestones, and deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed operational oversight and Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific agency and program rules.

Related Government Programs

Head Start Program
Early Childhood Education Initiatives
Federal Training and Technical Assistance Programs
Management Consulting Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data.
Agency listed as Department of the Interior, which is unusual for Head Start program oversight (typically HHS).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $13.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. OFFICE OF HEAD START, REGION 7, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK

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 the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-08-01. End: 2025-09-15.

What is the historical spending trend for training and technical assistance within the Office of Head Start, Region 7?

Analyzing historical spending trends for training and technical assistance within the Office of Head Start, Region 7, would provide crucial context for the $13.2 million awarded to ICF Incorporated. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to determine if this award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. Generally, federal programs like Head Start rely on consistent funding for training and technical assistance to ensure quality service delivery across diverse geographic regions. Fluctuations in funding can impact the scope and duration of support provided to grantees. A review of past solicitations and awards for similar services in Region 7 would reveal patterns in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured, allowing for a more informed assessment of the current contract's significance and value.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other similar federal training and technical assistance contracts?

The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure used for this $13.2 million contract with ICF Incorporated is common for federal service contracts where the scope of work may not be precisely defined at the outset, or where the nature of the work is inherently variable, such as training and technical assistance. Compared to fixed-price contracts, T&M offers flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost escalation if not managed rigorously. Many federal agencies utilize T&M for consulting and support services, especially when adapting to evolving program needs or unforeseen challenges. However, best practices emphasize establishing strong oversight, clear task orders, and labor hour limitations to control costs. Benchmarking against similar T&M contracts within the Head Start program or other early childhood education initiatives would reveal if the proposed labor rates and estimated hours are competitive and reasonable for the services being procured.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate ICF Incorporated's performance under this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are crucial for assessing the value and effectiveness of the training and technical assistance provided by ICF Incorporated. While not explicitly detailed in the provided data, typical KPIs for such contracts often include metrics related to the quality and timeliness of training delivery, the satisfaction levels of Head Start grantees receiving technical assistance, the achievement of specific program improvement goals by grantees, and the efficiency of resource utilization. The Office of Head Start would likely establish measurable objectives tied to the contract's Statement of Work. Regular performance reviews, feedback mechanisms from grantees, and analysis of reported outcomes would be employed to monitor ICF's adherence to these KPIs. The absence of readily available KPI details necessitates a deeper dive into the contract's performance work statement for a comprehensive understanding.

What is ICF Incorporated's track record with federal contracts, particularly in the education or social services sectors?

ICF Incorporated has a substantial track record of performing federal contracts across various sectors, including health, social services, and education. They are a well-established government contractor known for providing a wide range of services, including research, program management, technical assistance, and IT solutions. Within the education and social services domains, ICF has frequently engaged in work related to early childhood development, public health initiatives, and community support programs. Their experience often involves supporting federal agencies in implementing and managing large-scale programs, similar to the Head Start initiative. A review of their contract history would likely show numerous awards and successful completions, indicating a capacity to manage complex federal requirements. However, specific performance ratings and any past performance issues would require accessing detailed federal procurement databases.

How does the $13.2 million contract value compare to the overall budget allocated for training and technical assistance within the Office of Head Start?

The $13.2 million contract value represents a significant portion of the budget allocated for training and technical assistance (TTA) within the Office of Head Start (OHS), particularly for Region 7. The OHS budget encompasses various operational costs, including TTA, which is vital for supporting the network of Head Start and Early Head Start grantees nationwide. To contextualize this award, one would need to examine the total federal appropriation for the OHS and the specific sub-allocation for TTA services. If the total TTA budget for OHS is in the hundreds of millions or billions, then $13.2 million for a specific region's TTA network might represent a standard or even modest investment. Conversely, if the TTA budget is more constrained, this award could indicate a substantial commitment. Understanding the proportion this contract represents of the overall TTA funding is key to assessing its strategic importance and financial scale.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140D0420R0017

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

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: $14,710,743

Exercised Options: $14,710,743

Current Obligation: $13,232,296

Actual Outlays: $13,231,576

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline