Department of Labor awards $27.6M contract for New Haven Job Corps Center operations, including outreach and career transition services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,629,278 ($27.6M)

Contractor: THE Bizzell Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2022-11-01

End Date: 2026-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,490 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OPERATIONS OF THE NEW HAVEN JOB CORPS CENTER WITH OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: NEW HAVEN, NEW HAVEN County, CONNECTICUT, 06515

State: Connecticut Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $27.6 million to THE BIZZELL GROUP LLC for work described as: OPERATIONS OF THE NEW HAVEN JOB CORPS CENTER WITH OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES. Key points: 1. The contract aims to ensure effective operations and student support for the New Haven Job Corps Center. 2. Services include outreach, admissions, and career transition, crucial for program success. 3. The contract duration of approximately 4 years suggests a need for sustained service delivery. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure aims to control costs for the government. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611519 points to specialized technical and trade school services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $27.6 million over approximately four years for operating a Job Corps center appears reasonable given the scope of services. Benchmarking against similar Job Corps center contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. However, without specific performance metrics and historical cost data for this center, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' which implies that while the competition was broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria. The presence of 8 bids indicates a healthy level of interest and competition for this service. A higher number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, with multiple bidders, suggests that taxpayers are likely to benefit from competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified service providers, ensuring the government receives good value for its investment.

Public Impact

Young adults in the New Haven area seeking vocational training and employment opportunities will benefit from the services provided. The contract will deliver essential services including outreach, admissions, career counseling, and job placement assistance. The geographic impact is focused on New Haven, Connecticut, and surrounding communities. The contract supports the workforce development goals of the Department of Labor by preparing individuals for skilled trades.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for contractor to prioritize certain services over others if not strictly monitored.
Ensuring consistent quality of training and support across all students.
Measuring the long-term success and placement rates of program graduates.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract incentivizes cost efficiency.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
The inclusion of career transition services indicates a focus on long-term student success.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the education and workforce development sector, specifically focusing on vocational training and career services. The Job Corps program is a significant federal initiative aimed at providing disadvantaged youth with the skills and education needed to secure employment. The market for such services involves educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private companies specializing in workforce development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other Job Corps center contracts and similar government-funded training programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While there is no direct small business set-aside, the prime contractor, THE BIZZELL GROUP LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors. The level of subcontracting to small businesses will depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the nature of the services required. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be provided by the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management, which awarded the contract. Accountability measures are typically embedded in the contract's performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Job Corps Program
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs
Federal Job Training Programs
Vocational Education Grants

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality degradation under fixed-price contract if not closely monitored.
Ensuring equitable access and support for all eligible youth in the service area.
Measuring long-term career success and economic impact beyond initial job placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $27.6 million to THE BIZZELL GROUP LLC. OPERATIONS OF THE NEW HAVEN JOB CORPS CENTER WITH OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE BIZZELL 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 $27.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-01. End: 2026-11-30.

What is the track record of THE BIZZELL GROUP LLC in managing federal contracts, particularly those related to workforce development?

THE BIZZELL GROUP LLC has a history of managing federal contracts, including those with the Department of Labor and other agencies. Their experience often spans areas like workforce development, education, and program management. To assess their track record specifically for this type of contract, a review of their past performance evaluations, contract completion history, and any documented issues or successes on similar projects would be necessary. Information from contract databases and agency performance reports can provide insights into their reliability, efficiency, and ability to meet contractual obligations. For instance, examining their performance on other Job Corps centers or similar training initiatives would offer a comparative perspective on their capabilities and potential risks.

How does the awarded amount compare to the operational costs of similar Job Corps centers across the country?

The awarded amount of approximately $27.6 million over four years for the New Haven Job Corps Center translates to an average annual cost of roughly $6.9 million. To benchmark this value, we would need to compare it with the operational budgets of other Job Corps centers of similar size and scope. Factors influencing these costs include the number of students served, the types of training programs offered, local labor costs, and facility maintenance expenses. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing data from the Department of Labor's budget allocations for other centers, looking at per-student costs, and considering regional economic differences. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this contract represents excellent or fair value.

What are the primary performance metrics used to evaluate the success of the New Haven Job Corps Center under this contract?

The success of the New Haven Job Corps Center under this contract is typically evaluated through a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) mandated by the Department of Labor. These metrics often include student enrollment and retention rates, academic and vocational training completion rates, job placement rates for graduates, average starting wages of placed graduates, and employer satisfaction with placed individuals. The contract likely specifies targets for these metrics, and the contractor's performance is assessed against these benchmarks. Regular reporting and site visits by the contracting agency are standard procedures to monitor progress and ensure compliance with performance expectations.

What is the historical spending pattern for the New Haven Job Corps Center operations, and how does this award compare?

To understand the historical spending pattern for the New Haven Job Corps Center, one would need to examine past contract awards for its operation. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for previous contracts related to this specific center. Comparing the current award of $27.6 million over four years to previous funding levels would reveal whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained relatively stable. Factors such as inflation, changes in program scope, or shifts in student enrollment could explain any significant variations. A trend analysis over several years would provide a clearer picture of the long-term financial commitment to the center's operations.

What are the potential risks associated with the firm-fixed-price contract type for this service, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk associated with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract is that the contractor may cut corners on service quality or scope to maintain profitability if their initial cost estimates were too low or if unforeseen issues arise. For a complex service like operating a Job Corps center, this could potentially impact student training, support services, or facility maintenance. Mitigation strategies employed by the government typically include robust performance monitoring, clearly defined service level agreements, regular reporting requirements, and the potential for contract modifications or termination for non-performance. The government also benefits from cost certainty with an FFP contract, as the total price is fixed unless changes are formally negotiated.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Other Technical and Trade Schools

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1605JE-22-R-00017

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8201 CORPORATE DR FL 9, HYATTSVILLE, MD, 20785

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,024,606

Exercised Options: $34,140,470

Current Obligation: $27,629,278

Actual Outlays: $24,556,933

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline