Department of Labor awards $35.7M contract to Adams and Associates for Job Corps Center operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,716,451 ($35.7M)

Contractor: Adams and Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2023-07-01

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,126 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

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

Place of Performance

Location: DEVENS, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01434

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $35.7 million to ADAMS AND ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: OPERATIONS OF THE SHRIVER JOB CORPS CENTER WITH OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential operational support for the Shriver Job Corps Center, including outreach, admissions, and career transition services. 2. The contract duration of 1126 days suggests a need for sustained, reliable service delivery. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified contractors. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611519 points to specialized technical and trade school services. 6. The contract's value is significant within the context of vocational training and workforce development programs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $35.7 million over three years for comprehensive Job Corps center operations appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for large-scale vocational training centers is necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to control costs. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a detailed value-for-money assessment challenging without further context on expected outcomes and quality standards.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters competitive pricing and encourages a wide range of capabilities to be considered. The open competition is a positive indicator for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that is likely to result in more cost-effective service delivery and a wider pool of qualified providers, potentially leading to better program outcomes.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are students enrolled in the Shriver Job Corps Center, who will receive essential support services. Services include outreach to potential students, admissions processing, and career transition assistance to help graduates find employment. The contract directly supports the Department of Labor's mission to enhance workforce development and provide training opportunities. Geographic impact is centered around the Shriver Job Corps Center's service area, potentially affecting local communities through student support and employment outcomes. Workforce implications include the direct employment of staff by Adams and Associates Inc. to manage and operate the center's services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for service delivery gaps if contractor performance falters.
Ensuring consistent quality of outreach, admissions, and career transition services across the contract duration.
Monitoring contractor's ability to adapt to evolving student needs and labor market demands.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract duration indicates a commitment to sustained program support.
Specialized NAICS code suggests contractor expertise in vocational training.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Education and Training Services sector, specifically focusing on vocational and technical education. The Job Corps program is a significant federal initiative aimed at providing disadvantaged youth with the skills and education needed to secure quality jobs. The market for such services involves educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private companies specializing in workforce development. The contract value is substantial, reflecting the comprehensive nature of operating a Job Corps center.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. It is also unclear if Adams and Associates Inc. has subcontracting plans that would involve small businesses. Further investigation into the contract's small business goals and subcontracting reports would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Labor, specifically the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract's performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract performance risk
Cost overrun risk (mitigated by FFP)
Service delivery quality risk
Student outcome variability risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $35.7 million to ADAMS AND ASSOCIATES INC. OPERATIONS OF THE SHRIVER JOB CORPS CENTER WITH OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADAMS AND ASSOCIATES 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 $35.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-01. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of Adams and Associates Inc. in managing federal contracts, particularly those related to workforce development or educational services?

Adams and Associates Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, including those with the Department of Labor and other agencies. Their experience often involves providing services related to workforce development, training, and program management. A review of their past performance, including any awards, past performance evaluations, and any instances of contract disputes or terminations, would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and capability. Specific to Job Corps, their experience in operating or supporting similar centers would be a key indicator of their suitability for this contract. Analyzing their performance on previous, comparable contracts would help assess their ability to meet the requirements of this $35.7 million award.

How does the awarded amount of $35.7 million compare to historical spending on similar Job Corps center operations?

The $35.7 million awarded to Adams and Associates Inc. for the Shriver Job Corps Center operations over approximately three years represents a significant investment. To benchmark this value, one would compare it to the average cost per student or per center for other Job Corps centers nationwide, adjusted for factors like location, size, and specific service offerings. Historical data from the Department of Labor's budget and contract awards would reveal trends in funding for Job Corps. If this contract's per-year cost is significantly higher or lower than the average for comparable centers, it warrants further investigation into the reasons, such as unique operational requirements, scope of services, or market conditions.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract, and how will they be monitored?

While specific KPIs and SLAs are not detailed in the provided summary data, federal contracts for Job Corps operations typically include metrics related to student enrollment, retention rates, academic and vocational achievement, job placement success, and post-placement earnings. The Department of Labor would establish these performance standards to ensure the contractor delivers effective services. Monitoring would likely involve regular performance reports from Adams and Associates Inc., site visits, data analysis of student outcomes, and potentially independent evaluations. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies, including financial penalties or termination.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the local workforce and economy in the vicinity of the Shriver Job Corps Center?

This contract has a direct impact on the local workforce by creating jobs for the staff employed by Adams and Associates Inc. to manage the center's operations, including instructors, counselors, administrative staff, and support personnel. Indirectly, the contract supports the local economy by providing training and employment opportunities for students, who can then contribute to the local tax base and consumer spending. Furthermore, the center's operations may involve procurement of local goods and services, further stimulating economic activity. The success of the program in placing graduates into local jobs is a key factor in its positive economic impact.

Are there any identified risks associated with Adams and Associates Inc. as a contractor, based on past performance or industry reputation?

Assessing risks associated with Adams and Associates Inc. requires a review of their historical contract performance, financial stability, and any past issues related to compliance, quality of service, or ethical conduct. While the award under full and open competition suggests they met initial qualification criteria, deeper due diligence is prudent. Risks could include potential cost overruns (though mitigated by FFP), service delivery failures, or challenges in meeting performance targets. Information from sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) and any public records of litigation or investigations would be crucial in identifying and mitigating these risks.

How does the scope of services for 'outreach and admissions and career transition services' contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Job Corps program?

These services are critical to the holistic success of the Job Corps program. Outreach and admissions ensure that the program attracts and enrolls eligible, motivated students who can benefit most from the training. Effective admissions processes help match students with appropriate training pathways. Career transition services are equally vital, focusing on helping graduates secure meaningful employment by providing job search assistance, resume writing, interview coaching, and connections with employers. Without robust support in these areas, the program's ability to achieve its core mission of preparing youth for successful careers would be significantly hampered.

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

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10395 DOUBLE R BLVD, RENO, NV, 89521

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $38,629,150

Exercised Options: $38,543,771

Current Obligation: $35,716,451

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 17

Total Subaward Amount: $1,744,642

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1605JE22D0011

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline