Labor's $5.2M SCC4 Grant to Mathematica Inc. Funds Community College Training Amidst Administrative Consulting Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,198,968 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Mathematica Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2024-03-19

End Date: 2029-03-18

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: EVALUATE THE FOURTH ROUND OF THE STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM (SCC4)

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 $5.2 million to MATHEMATICA INC. for work described as: EVALUATE THE FOURTH ROUND OF THE STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM (SCC4) Key points: 1. The grant focuses on strengthening community colleges, a critical sector for workforce development. 2. Mathematica Inc. is a well-established research and consulting firm, suggesting capability. 3. The award is a BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework, but the specific call's competition is key. 4. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services is a broad category; the specific application of funds is important.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The award amount of $5.2M for a 5-year period is moderate. Without specific benchmarks for similar 'Strengthening Community Colleges' grants or consulting services for workforce development, a precise value assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition via a BPA Call. This suggests that multiple vendors were potentially considered through the underlying Blanket Purchase Agreement, and the call itself likely involved a competitive process among those BPA holders. This method generally promotes price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in workforce development through community colleges, aiming for long-term economic benefits. The effectiveness of the program will determine the ultimate return on this investment.

Public Impact

Enhances educational opportunities and skill development for community college students and faculty. Supports the critical mission of community colleges in workforce training and local economic development. Potential for improved program design and implementation through expert consulting services. The success of this program could serve as a model for future federal investments in education and training.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep with Time and Materials contract type.
Effectiveness hinges on Mathematica's ability to deliver impactful program improvements.
Scope definition for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' needs clear alignment with SCC program goals.

Positive Signals

Awarded under Full and Open Competition.
Supports a vital sector (community colleges) for workforce development.
Long contract duration allows for sustained program impact.

Sector Analysis

This award falls under administrative and management consulting services, supporting the education sector, specifically community colleges. Benchmarks for similar grants or consulting contracts focused on educational program enhancement are not readily available, making direct comparison challenging. The amount is moderate for a 5-year federal grant.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set-aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While Mathematica Inc. is a large business, the underlying BPA framework might have included small business participation, but this is not evident from the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Labor, through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management, is responsible for oversight. The use of a BPA Call suggests a structured procurement process, but ongoing monitoring of performance and expenditures will be crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Labor Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M contract.
Effectiveness is contingent on consultant's expertise and program execution.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $5.2 million to MATHEMATICA INC.. EVALUATE THE FOURTH ROUND OF THE STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY COLLEGES TRAINING GRANTS PROGRAM (SCC4)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MATHEMATICA 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 $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-03-19. End: 2029-03-18.

How will Mathematica Inc. measure the 'strengthening' of community colleges and what specific outcomes are expected?

The grant's success will likely be measured by improvements in program offerings, student completion rates, faculty development, and alignment with workforce needs. Mathematica is expected to provide a detailed plan outlining key performance indicators, data collection methods, and reporting schedules to demonstrate the program's impact on participating community colleges and their students.

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

The main risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if the scope of work is not clearly defined or if contractor effort exceeds initial estimates. Without robust oversight and clear milestones, the $5.2M could be expended with less impact than anticipated. Continuous monitoring of labor hours and direct costs is essential.

How effectively will this grant address the specific administrative and management challenges faced by diverse community colleges?

The effectiveness will depend on Mathematica's ability to tailor its consulting services to the unique needs of various community colleges, which can differ significantly in size, resources, and student populations. A one-size-fits-all approach may be less impactful. The program's success hinges on adaptive strategies and measurable improvements in administrative efficiency and program delivery.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1605C2-23-Q-00010

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1100 1ST ST NE FL 12, WASHINGTON, DC, 20002

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,498,968

Exercised Options: $9,498,968

Current Obligation: $5,198,968

Actual Outlays: $2,275,130

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1605C223A0017

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline