Department of Labor awards $1.2M for reentry employment technical assistance to Manhattan Strategy Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,201,008 ($1.2M)

Contractor: THE Manhattan Strategy Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2026-05-04

End Date: 2027-05-03

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: REENTRY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES (REO) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

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 $1.2 million to THE MANHATTAN STRATEGY GROUP LLC for work described as: REENTRY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES (REO) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Key points: 1. The contract focuses on providing technical assistance for reentry employment opportunities. 2. Awarded via a BPA Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 3. The contract duration is one year, with a potential for extensions. 4. The contractor, The Manhattan Strategy Group LLC, has secured this award. 5. The service falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code. 6. This award represents a specific investment in workforce development for formerly incarcerated individuals.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.2 million for one year of technical assistance appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical assistance in workforce development or reentry programs would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific performance metrics or deliverables outlined, a definitive assessment of value is challenging. The time and materials pricing structure necessitates careful monitoring to ensure cost efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The fact that it was a BPA Call indicates that a broader competition likely occurred to establish the Blanket Purchase Agreement itself. The number of bids received for this specific call is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation generally promotes competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the services rendered, preventing potential overpricing that could occur with less competitive solicitations.

Public Impact

Individuals seeking employment after incarceration are the primary beneficiaries. The services delivered will focus on providing technical assistance to improve reentry employment programs. The contract is geographically focused on Washington D.C., where the Department of Labor is headquartered. The contract may indirectly impact the workforce by supporting programs that aim to reduce recidivism and increase employment rates.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The time and materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the technical assistance.
The focus on a single contractor for technical assistance might limit the diversity of approaches.

Positive Signals

The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting process.
The contract is for a critical social program aimed at improving employment outcomes.
The contractor has secured a federal contract, indicating a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to management and technical consulting. The market for such services is broad, encompassing numerous firms that specialize in government contracting and program support. The Department of Labor's investment in reentry employment programs is part of a larger federal and state effort to address recidivism and support workforce development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other technical assistance contracts awarded by federal agencies for similar social or workforce initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the data does not indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific contract is likely minimal unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management within the Department of Labor. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the contract, including deliverables and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally maintained through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs
Second Chance Act grants
Federal Bonding Program
Reentry Council initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract.
Effectiveness of technical assistance is difficult to quantify upfront.
Limited information on contractor's specific experience in reentry programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $1.2 million to THE MANHATTAN STRATEGY GROUP LLC. REENTRY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES (REO) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MANHATTAN STRATEGY GROUP 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 $1.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-05-04. End: 2027-05-03.

What is the track record of The Manhattan Strategy Group LLC in providing technical assistance for reentry programs?

The Manhattan Strategy Group LLC has a history of providing consulting services to government agencies and non-profit organizations. While specific details on their experience with reentry employment programs are not immediately available from the provided data, their general expertise in management consulting and technical assistance suggests a capacity to undertake such work. Further investigation into their past performance on similar federal contracts, particularly those related to workforce development or social services, would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Reviewing past performance evaluations and client testimonials would offer deeper insights into their effectiveness and reliability in delivering technical assistance.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar technical assistance contracts for reentry employment?

The contract value of $1.2 million for one year of technical assistance is a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against similar contracts awarded by the Department of Labor or other federal agencies for reentry employment initiatives. Factors such as the scope of services, the number of individuals or organizations to be supported, and the duration of the assistance are crucial for a fair comparison. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it is difficult to definitively state whether this represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. However, for a specialized area like reentry technical assistance, this amount suggests a substantial scope of work or a high level of expertise being procured.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential cost overruns due to the time and materials pricing structure, and the possibility that the technical assistance may not yield the desired improvements in reentry employment outcomes. Mitigation strategies would involve rigorous oversight by the Department of Labor, including regular reviews of contractor performance, detailed tracking of hours and expenses, and clear communication channels. Defining specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives for the technical assistance would also be crucial for risk mitigation and performance assessment. Ensuring the contractor has relevant expertise and a proven methodology for delivering effective technical assistance further reduces risk.

What is the expected effectiveness of the technical assistance in improving reentry employment outcomes?

The effectiveness of the technical assistance hinges on the quality of the guidance provided by The Manhattan Strategy Group LLC and the capacity of the recipient organizations to implement the recommendations. The Department of Labor's goal is to enhance the effectiveness of existing reentry employment programs, potentially leading to reduced recidivism rates and improved employment stability for formerly incarcerated individuals. Success will be measured by the extent to which the technical assistance leads to demonstrable improvements in program design, service delivery, and participant outcomes. The contract's duration of one year allows for implementation and initial assessment, but long-term impact will require sustained effort and follow-up.

What are the historical spending patterns for reentry employment technical assistance by the Department of Labor?

Historical spending data for reentry employment technical assistance by the Department of Labor would provide context for the $1.2 million award. Analyzing past expenditures can reveal trends in funding levels, the types of services procured, and the contractors most frequently engaged. This analysis helps in understanding whether current spending is consistent with historical patterns, represents an increase or decrease in investment, and if it aligns with evolving priorities in reentry policy. Without access to historical spending records, it's challenging to place this specific contract within a broader fiscal context and assess its significance relative to past investments in this area.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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: 1605C2-26-Q-00004

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 420 LEXINGTON AVE RM 300, NEW YORK, NY, 10017

Business Categories: Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,297,288

Exercised Options: $1,201,008

Current Obligation: $1,201,008

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1605C225A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline