Department of Labor awards $6.9M contract to Safal Partners LLC for cybersecurity apprenticeship expansion

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,938,754 ($6.9M)

Contractor: Safal Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2023-06-29

End Date: 2026-06-28

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES: RA ACCELERATION IN ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES-CYBERSECURITY

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 $6.9 million to SAFAL PARTNERS LLC for work described as: EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES: RA ACCELERATION IN ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES-CYBERSECURITY Key points: 1. Contract aims to expand registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity through industry intermediaries. 2. Focus on accelerating apprenticeship in established industries, particularly cybersecurity. 3. The contract duration is 1095 days, indicating a medium-term initiative. 4. Awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. Safal Partners LLC is the sole awardee for this specific effort. 7. The contract is valued at $6,938,754.34. 8. The project is located in Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.9M for expanding apprenticeship programs appears reasonable for a multi-year initiative focused on a high-demand sector like cybersecurity. However, without specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined in the provided data, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while offering flexibility, can lead to higher costs if not closely managed, especially compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar government initiatives for workforce development in specialized fields would provide further insight into pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data shows 8 proposals were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this opportunity. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers. The selection of Safal Partners LLC implies their proposal best met the stated requirements and evaluation criteria.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this typically benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging innovative solutions. It reduces the risk of overpayment and ensures that public funds are used more efficiently.

Public Impact

Benefits the cybersecurity industry by increasing the skilled workforce pipeline. Aims to create new apprenticeship opportunities for individuals seeking careers in cybersecurity. Supports the Department of Labor's mission to promote workforce development and job training. Geographic impact is primarily focused on Washington D.C., where the contract is administered. Potential workforce implications include upskilling and reskilling of individuals for in-demand tech roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored and controlled.
Reliance on a single contractor (Safal Partners LLC) for the full scope of this initiative may limit alternative approaches or solutions.
The success of the program is heavily dependent on the effectiveness of Safal Partners LLC in engaging industry intermediaries and establishing robust apprenticeship models.
Measuring the direct impact and scalability of the expanded apprenticeship programs will be crucial for future investment decisions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process and potential for competitive pricing.
Focus on a critical and high-demand sector (cybersecurity) aligns with national workforce needs.
The initiative aims to directly address workforce shortages in a vital industry.
The contract duration allows for sustained effort in program development and implementation.

Sector Analysis

The cybersecurity sector is experiencing rapid growth and a significant talent shortage. This contract fits within the broader federal strategy to bolster the nation's cybersecurity workforce through various training and development initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks in workforce development and IT training programs would likely show this contract to be within a typical range for specialized skill development efforts. The market for cybersecurity talent is highly competitive, making apprenticeship programs a key strategy for building a sustainable talent pipeline.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, the direct impact on small businesses is not explicitly defined. However, the expansion of apprenticeship programs could indirectly benefit small businesses by increasing the availability of skilled cybersecurity professionals whom they can hire. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Safal Partners LLC has any subcontracting plans that involve small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract statement of work. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements. 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

National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
Cybersecurity Apprenticeship Programs
Workforce Development Grants
Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs)

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Success is dependent on the contractor's ability to effectively engage industry intermediaries.
Measuring the long-term impact and scalability of the apprenticeship programs will be key.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $6.9 million to SAFAL PARTNERS LLC. EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES: RA ACCELERATION IN ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES-CYBERSECURITY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SAFAL PARTNERS LLC.

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 $6.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-06-29. End: 2026-06-28.

What is the track record of Safal Partners LLC in managing federal apprenticeship or workforce development contracts?

Information regarding Safal Partners LLC's specific track record with federal apprenticeship or workforce development contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on similar government contracts, including client feedback, successful project completion rates, and adherence to timelines and budgets. Without this historical data, it is difficult to definitively assess their capability and reliability for this cybersecurity apprenticeship expansion initiative. Further due diligence would involve examining their portfolio of work and any performance evaluations from previous federal engagements.

How does the cost per apprentice or per training hour compare to industry benchmarks?

The provided data does not include specific cost breakdowns per apprentice or per training hour, making a direct comparison to industry benchmarks impossible. The total contract value of $6.9M over approximately three years suggests a significant investment, but the efficiency of this spending depends on the number of apprentices trained, the depth of the training, and the program's success rate in placing individuals in cybersecurity roles. To assess value, one would need to know the target number of apprentices, the curriculum's scope, and the expected outcomes. Benchmarking would require access to detailed cost structures and program metrics from Safal Partners LLC.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and success measurement criteria for this contract are not detailed in the provided summary data. Typically, for apprenticeship expansion programs, KPIs would include metrics such as the number of new apprenticeship programs established, the number of apprentices enrolled, completion rates, job placement rates in cybersecurity roles, and employer satisfaction. The Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management would be responsible for defining and monitoring these KPIs to ensure the contractor, Safal Partners LLC, is meeting the program's objectives and delivering value for the investment.

What is the anticipated number of new apprenticeships or individuals trained as a result of this contract?

The anticipated number of new apprenticeships or individuals to be trained under this $6.9M contract is not specified in the provided data. The contract's objective is the 'EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES: RA ACCELERATION IN ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES-CYBERSECURITY.' The scale of this expansion and the resulting number of trained individuals would be a critical factor in evaluating the contract's effectiveness and return on investment. This information would typically be detailed in the contract's statement of work or performance work statement.

Are there any specific cybersecurity sub-domains or skill sets that this program is prioritizing?

The provided data indicates the contract focuses on the 'EXPANSION OF REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP (RA) PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES' with a specific emphasis on 'CYBERSECURITY.' However, it does not specify particular cybersecurity sub-domains or skill sets that are being prioritized. Given the breadth of cybersecurity, effective programs often target areas with critical workforce shortages, such as network security, cloud security, incident response, or secure software development. A detailed understanding of the program's curriculum and target skills would require reviewing the contract's statement of work or related documentation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Apprenticeship Training

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: 1605C2-23-R-00004

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 19019 WINDSOR CREST DR, HOUSTON, TX, 77094

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,130,511

Exercised Options: $6,938,754

Current Obligation: $6,938,754

Actual Outlays: $5,824,949

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline