YouthBuild Global receives $23.3M for technical assistance and coaching, impacting workforce development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,307,020 ($23.3M)

Contractor: Youthbuild Global, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2021-06-29

End Date: 2026-07-29

Contract Duration: 1,856 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: YOUTHBUILD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & COACHING SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20210

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $23.3 million to YOUTHBUILD GLOBAL, INC. for work described as: YOUTHBUILD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & COACHING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of technical assistance and coaching services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process, potentially leading to better pricing. 3. Contract duration of nearly five years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Services are concentrated in Washington D.C., with potential national implications for workforce programs. 5. The contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting, a common service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.3 million over approximately five years for technical assistance and coaching services seems within a reasonable range for this type of support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting services to federal agencies, the per-year cost is approximately $4.66 million. This figure should be compared to the scale and complexity of the technical assistance provided to YouthBuild programs to fully assess value for money. Without specific performance metrics or detailed service breakdowns, a precise value assessment is challenging, but the overall investment aligns with typical federal spending on program support and management consulting.

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 number of bidders is not specified in the provided data, but the competitive nature of the award process suggests that the Department of Labor sought to obtain the best value through a transparent procurement. This approach generally fosters price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price, preventing potential overspending associated with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

YouthBuild programs and participants nationwide are the primary beneficiaries, receiving enhanced technical assistance and coaching. The services delivered aim to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of YouthBuild initiatives. The contract's administrative focus suggests a broad impact on the operational aspects of workforce development programs. Workforce development professionals and support staff involved in YouthBuild programs will likely benefit from improved guidance and resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'technical assistance and coaching' is not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support services could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring equitable distribution of resources and support across all YouthBuild programs requires careful oversight.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded to an organization named 'YouthBuild Global, Inc.', suggesting a specialized focus and potential expertise.
The use of a definitive contract indicates a clear understanding of the service requirements.
The long-term nature of the contract (nearly 5 years) suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services, implying successful past performance or a well-defined future requirement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of government functions from policy implementation to operational efficiency. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in program management, technical assistance, and organizational development. The value of this contract, approximately $4.66 million annually, is moderate within the context of large federal consulting engagements, but substantial for specialized program support.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited unless YouthBuild Global, Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be necessary to fully assess the implications for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside within the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM), which awarded the contract. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, likely including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. The Inspector General for the Department of Labor would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Labor Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs
Federal Grants Management Support Services
Management and Consulting Services for Federal Agencies
Youth Development Programs
Technical Assistance Provider Networks

Risk Flags

Potential for performance degradation over the contract's long duration.
Need for clear and measurable performance metrics to ensure accountability.
Risk of scope creep without adequate oversight.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $23.3 million to YOUTHBUILD GLOBAL, INC.. YOUTHBUILD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE & COACHING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YOUTHBUILD GLOBAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-06-29. End: 2026-07-29.

What is the specific nature of the 'technical assistance and coaching' provided under this contract, and how is its effectiveness measured?

The contract data specifies the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611, which corresponds to Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. This suggests the technical assistance and coaching likely focus on improving the operational efficiency, program management, and administrative processes of YouthBuild initiatives. Effectiveness is typically measured through performance metrics outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). These could include improvements in program enrollment, participant outcomes (e.g., job placement rates, educational attainment), financial management, and compliance with federal regulations. Without access to the SOW and performance reports, a detailed assessment of effectiveness is not possible, but the contract's duration implies a sustained need for these supportive services.

How does the awarded amount of $23.3 million compare to historical spending on similar technical assistance and coaching services by the Department of Labor or other agencies?

The total award of $23.3 million over approximately five years equates to an average annual value of about $4.66 million. To benchmark this, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar services (management consulting, technical assistance, program support) awarded by the Department of Labor or other agencies involved in workforce development or youth programs. For instance, contracts supporting large-scale federal initiatives often range from a few million to tens of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and number of entities served. Given that YouthBuild programs operate nationwide, this funding level appears commensurate with providing comprehensive support. A more precise comparison would require identifying contracts with similar objectives, target populations, and service delivery models.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term contract (nearly five years) for technical assistance and coaching?

Long-term contracts, while providing stability, carry inherent risks. One primary risk is the potential for contractor complacency or a decline in service quality over time if performance is not rigorously monitored. Another risk is 'scope creep,' where the services provided may expand beyond the original intent without corresponding adjustments in cost or oversight. Furthermore, a long-term commitment ties agency resources, potentially limiting flexibility to adapt to changing program needs or to seek alternative solutions if performance issues arise. Dependence on a single provider for critical support can also be a vulnerability. Mitigating these risks requires robust contract management, clear performance metrics, regular reviews, and proactive communication between the agency and the contractor.

What is the track record of YouthBuild Global, Inc. in delivering similar technical assistance or management consulting services, particularly to federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'YouthBuild Global, Inc.' in delivering technical assistance or management consulting services, especially to federal agencies, is not detailed in the provided award data. Typically, a contractor's past performance is a significant factor in the source selection process for federal contracts. Agencies often review past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) and may request references. To assess this contractor's suitability, one would need to consult these performance records or conduct further research into their project history, client satisfaction, and experience with government contracts. The fact that they were awarded this contract suggests they met the agency's criteria for past performance, but the specifics remain unknown from this data.

How does the 'full and open competition' award method influence the cost-effectiveness and quality of the services received?

The 'full and open competition' award method is designed to maximize cost-effectiveness and quality by allowing all eligible responsible sources to compete. This broad competition typically drives down prices as contractors strive to offer the most competitive bids to win the contract. It also encourages innovation and higher quality service delivery, as contractors aim to differentiate themselves based on their proposed approach and demonstrated capabilities. For taxpayers, this method generally leads to better value for money by ensuring that the government is not paying inflated prices due to limited competition. The Department of Labor's choice of this method suggests a commitment to obtaining the best possible outcome for the YouthBuild programs through a transparent and competitive process.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1605C2-21-Q-00029

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1785 COLUMBUS AVE STE 500, ROXBURY, MA, 02119

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,307,020

Exercised Options: $23,307,020

Current Obligation: $23,307,020

Actual Outlays: $19,755,380

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline