Interior's $4.1M contract for customer service support awarded to The Bizzell Group LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,144,734 ($4.1M)

Contractor: THE Bizzell Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-13

End Date: 2026-03-30

Contract Duration: 229 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.1K/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 CENTRAL OFFICE CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4.1 million to THE BIZZELL GROUP LLC for work described as: OFFICE OF HEAD START CENTRAL OFFICE CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Task order is for administrative management and general management consulting services. 3. Contract duration is approximately 229 days, indicating a short-term need. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 5. The award is a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. The primary service NAICS code is 541611, indicating management consulting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $4.14 million for a period of less than a year for customer service support appears to be within a reasonable range for management consulting services. However, without specific benchmarks for 'customer service support' within the Department of the Interior or comparable agencies, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful monitoring to ensure costs do not escalate beyond initial expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it is a single delivery order suggests that the competition occurred at the task order level or that this is one of many orders under a pre-existing contract. The level of competition at the task order level is not specified, but the initial award mechanism implies a robust bidding environment.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality, as multiple vendors vie for the contract.

Public Impact

The Office of Head Start Central Office will benefit from improved customer service support. Services delivered are expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of customer interactions. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the Department of the Interior is headquartered. Workforce implications are likely to involve the contractor's personnel providing direct customer service support.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Short contract duration may indicate a temporary need or potential for future re-competition, creating uncertainty.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess service quality outcomes.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract is for administrative management and general management consulting, a common and often necessary service.
The contractor, The Bizzell Group LLC, is likely experienced in providing such services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, a broad category that supports various government functions. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in areas like customer support, operational efficiency, and program management. The value of this specific contract is relatively modest within the broader federal consulting market, but it represents a critical support function for the Office of Head Start.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it's possible that small businesses participated in the bidding process. However, without specific details on subcontracting plans or set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the Department of the Interior's Office of Head Start. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Office of Head Start Programs
Federal Customer Service Initiatives
Administrative Support Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for careful transition planning.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the award data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4.1 million to THE BIZZELL GROUP LLC. OFFICE OF HEAD START CENTRAL OFFICE CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BIZZELL GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-13. End: 2026-03-30.

What is the track record of The Bizzell Group LLC in performing similar government contracts?

The Bizzell Group LLC has a history of performing government contracts, often in areas related to education, human services, and administrative support. While specific details on their performance for similar customer service support contracts within the Department of the Interior are not provided in this data snippet, their general experience suggests they are capable of undertaking this type of work. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and contract history would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record. This would involve reviewing past performance questionnaires (PPQs) and any documented issues or successes on previous federal awards.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar customer service support contracts within the federal government?

Benchmarking the cost of this $4.14 million contract for customer service support is challenging without more specific details on the scope of services and the level of support required. Federal customer service contracts can vary widely in price depending on factors such as the number of customer interactions, the complexity of inquiries, the required response times, and the technology platforms used. Given that this is a Time and Materials contract, the final cost will depend on the hours worked and the labor rates. A comparative analysis would require identifying contracts with similar service descriptions, contract types, and durations across different agencies to establish a fair market price.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials contract?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts do not have a ceiling on the total amount that can be billed, as payment is based on the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. If the contractor's hours are not efficiently managed or if the scope of work expands without proper controls, the total cost can exceed initial estimates. For this contract, effective oversight by the government is crucial to monitor labor hours, ensure that only necessary work is performed, and validate that the rates are reasonable and competitive.

What is the expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract for the Office of Head Start?

The expected effectiveness of the services provided under this contract hinges on the contractor's ability to deliver high-quality customer service support that aligns with the goals of the Office of Head Start. This support is likely intended to improve communication with grantees, parents, and other stakeholders, thereby enhancing program delivery and outreach. The effectiveness will be measured by factors such as customer satisfaction, resolution rates for inquiries, and the overall efficiency of the support operations. Clear performance metrics and regular performance evaluations will be essential to ensure the contractor meets or exceeds expectations and contributes positively to the Office of Head Start's mission.

What are the historical spending patterns for customer service support within the Department of the Interior or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for customer service support within the Department of the Interior and similar agencies can provide valuable context for this contract. Agencies often allocate significant resources to customer-facing functions to ensure effective communication and program accessibility. Analyzing past expenditures on similar services, including contract types, durations, and vendor performance, can help identify trends, potential cost efficiencies, and areas of consistent need. Without access to specific historical data for the Office of Head Start or the Department of the Interior's broader customer service initiatives, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, it is common for federal agencies to utilize both internal staff and contracted services to manage customer support operations.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 140D0425F0603

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8201 CORPORATE DR STE 900, HYATTSVILLE, MD, 20785

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,289,468

Exercised Options: $4,144,734

Current Obligation: $4,144,734

Actual Outlays: $2,085,717

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D00FZ

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline