ICF Incorporated awarded $26.7M contract for Region 11 Training and Technical Assistance Network
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $26,671,042 ($26.7M)
Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2020-08-01
End Date: 2025-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,856 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: OFFICE OF HEAD START, REGION 11, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $26.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: OFFICE OF HEAD START, REGION 11, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NETWORK Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support services for early childhood education programs. 2. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services are key to program effectiveness. 3. The contract duration of over 5 years suggests a need for sustained support. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. The geographic scope covers Region 11, implying a significant operational footprint.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $26.7 million over approximately five years for a Training and Technical Assistance Network is substantial. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for regional Head Start support is difficult without more specific service details. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, carries inherent risks for cost escalation if not closely managed. The value proposition hinges on the effectiveness and efficiency of the technical assistance provided to grantees.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bids indicates a moderate level of competition for this service. While full and open competition is generally preferred, the specific number of bidders can influence price discovery. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the assurance that the government sought the best possible value through a competitive process. This approach helps to prevent overpayment and encourages contractors to offer efficient and effective solutions.
Public Impact
Early childhood education programs and their staff across Region 11 will receive vital training and technical assistance. This support aims to improve the quality of services delivered to children and families in the region. The contract indirectly benefits children by enhancing the capabilities of the Head Start programs serving them. Workforce development for early childhood educators is a key outcome, fostering a more skilled and supported professional community.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not diligently monitored.
- The broad scope of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' may lack specific performance metrics.
- Geographic coverage of Region 11 is extensive, potentially leading to logistical complexities and higher indirect costs.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting of potential contractors.
- The contract duration of over five years indicates a stable and predictable need for these services.
- The Office of Head Start's focus on training and technical assistance is critical for program quality.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. The market for such services supporting federal programs is significant, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized expertise. This contract represents a portion of the federal government's investment in early childhood development initiatives, aiming to ensure program quality and compliance through expert guidance and support.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, ICF Incorporated, is a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether ICF actively seeks small business subcontractors for specialized support within the scope of this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (though the agency listed is Department of the Interior, which is unusual for Head Start). Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's performance work statement. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, but detailed performance reporting may be internal.
Related Government Programs
- Head Start Program
- Early Head Start Program
- Child Care and Development Fund
- Federal Training and Technical Assistance Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure efficient labor utilization.
- Geographic scope may present logistical challenges.
- Agency listed (Dept. of Interior) is unusual for Head Start contracts; requires verification.
Tags
training-and-technical-assistance, administrative-management, general-management-consulting, head-start, early-childhood-education, region-11, icf-incorporated, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, definitive-contract, department-of-the-interior, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $26.7 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. OFFICE OF HEAD START, REGION 11, 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 $26.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-08-01. End: 2025-08-31.
What is the specific performance history of ICF Incorporated with federal contracts, particularly in training and technical assistance?
ICF Incorporated has a significant history of performing federal contracts across various agencies, including Health and Human Services (HHS), which oversees Head Start. Their expertise often lies in program management, research, and technical assistance. While specific performance metrics for this particular contract are not publicly detailed, ICF's track record generally includes managing large-scale, complex projects. A review of past performance evaluations and contract close-outs for similar HHS contracts would provide a more granular understanding of their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to timelines and budgets. Their extensive experience suggests a capacity to handle the demands of the Region 11 Training and Technical Assistance Network.
How does the awarded amount compare to similar regional Head Start technical assistance contracts?
Comparing the $26.7 million award for Region 11's Training and Technical Assistance Network requires careful consideration of contract scope, duration, and specific services. Contracts for regional Head Start TTA can vary significantly based on the number of grantees supported, the complexity of the technical assistance required (e.g., curriculum development, management consulting, data analysis), and the geographic spread. A five-year contract of this magnitude suggests a comprehensive support structure. Without direct comparisons of contracts with identical scopes and durations, it's challenging to definitively benchmark the value. However, the amount appears consistent with the scale of federal investments in supporting large regional networks of early childhood programs.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for these services?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, such as this one, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer task durations or less efficient work if not rigorously monitored. For the government, it necessitates robust oversight to ensure that labor hours are reasonable and necessary, and that material costs are fair and substantiated. Effective management requires detailed tracking, regular reviews, and clear communication to control expenditures and ensure the government receives good value for the services rendered.
What specific performance metrics are likely in place to measure the effectiveness of the technical assistance provided?
While specific performance metrics are not detailed in the provided data, contracts for Head Start Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) typically include metrics focused on grantee engagement, satisfaction, and demonstrable improvements in program operations. These could include measures such as the number of training sessions conducted, participant feedback scores, the development and dissemination of resources, and observed improvements in areas like program management, curriculum implementation, or family engagement strategies among the grantees. The effectiveness would also be gauged by the contractor's ability to respond to grantee needs promptly and provide relevant, actionable guidance that contributes to meeting Head Start performance standards.
How has federal spending on Head Start training and technical assistance evolved over the past five years?
Federal spending on Head Start training and technical assistance (TTA) has generally remained a significant component of the overall Head Start budget, reflecting its importance in ensuring program quality and compliance. While specific year-over-year figures fluctuate based on appropriations and program priorities, there has been a consistent emphasis on providing robust TTA to grantees. Recent trends may show increased focus on areas like data utilization, addressing learning loss, supporting staff well-being, and adapting to evolving early childhood education best practices. The overall trend indicates sustained federal commitment to TTA as a critical lever for improving outcomes for children and families served by Head Start.
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: 3
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: $29,600,775
Exercised Options: $29,600,775
Current Obligation: $26,671,042
Actual Outlays: $26,671,042
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $72,220
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-08-01
Current End Date: 2025-08-31
Potential End Date: 2025-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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