Labor Department's $35.2M Wind River JCC contract awarded to Alternate Perspectives Inc. for technical training

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $35,233,546 ($35.2M)

Contractor: Alternate Perspectives Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2020-09-01

End Date: 2023-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $32.2K/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: WIND RIVER JCC 2020 CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: RIVERTON, FREMONT County, WYOMING, 82501

State: Wyoming Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $35.2 million to ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVES INC for work described as: WIND RIVER JCC 2020 CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract value of $35.2 million over three years indicates a significant investment in workforce development. 2. Awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. The contract's duration of 1094 days (approx. 3 years) allows for sustained program delivery and impact. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs and provide budget certainty for the agency. 5. Performance is located in Wyoming, potentially benefiting the local economy and workforce. 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 $35.2 million for a three-year technical training program appears reasonable given the scope of services likely involved in supporting a Job Corps Center. Benchmarking against similar large-scale workforce development contracts would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The firm fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment challenging without further data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, or the initial exclusion of sources was later lifted to allow for broader competition. The number of bidders (8) suggests a moderate level of interest, which is generally positive for price discovery. However, the 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation into the rationale for initial exclusions.

Taxpayer Impact: The moderate competition level suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a competitive bidding process, leading to a fair market price. However, understanding the reasons for excluding certain sources could reveal opportunities for even greater cost savings if those sources were unnecessarily excluded.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely participants in the Wind River Job Corps program, receiving technical and vocational training. The services delivered are expected to enhance the employability and skill sets of individuals in the region. The geographic impact is concentrated in Wyoming, potentially boosting the local workforce and economy. Workforce implications include the creation of skilled labor for industries requiring technical expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type raises questions about the initial market research and potential for broader competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and quality of services delivered.
The specific nature of 'Other Technical and Trade Schools' services could be broad, requiring clarity on the exact skills being taught.

Positive Signals

The award to a single contractor for a comprehensive program suggests a streamlined approach to service delivery.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the Department of Labor.
The duration of the contract allows for long-term program planning and impact assessment.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the education and training services sector, specifically focusing on vocational and technical education. The market for Job Corps training is typically government-funded, with a focus on preparing underserved youth for careers. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other Job Corps center contracts or large-scale workforce development initiatives funded by federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate whether small businesses were specifically targeted or subcontracted. The contract's size and nature suggest it may be awarded to a larger entity capable of managing a comprehensive training center. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the scope of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM). Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, likely including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed programmatic oversight information may be internal.

Related Government Programs

Department of Labor Job Corps Program
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs
Federal Vocational Training Grants
Adult Education and Literacy Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Need for clarity on specific training outcomes and job placement rates.
Contractor's past performance on similar large-scale federal contracts requires verification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $35.2 million to ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVES INC. WIND RIVER JCC 2020 CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVES 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 $35.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-09-01. End: 2023-08-31.

What specific technical and trade skills are being taught under this contract, and how do they align with current labor market demands in Wyoming?

The provided data identifies the NAICS code as 611519 (Other Technical and Trade Schools), indicating a focus on vocational training. However, the specific skills are not detailed. To assess alignment with labor market demands, an analysis of Wyoming's high-demand occupations, projected job growth in technical fields, and the curriculum developed by Alternate Perspectives Inc. would be necessary. This would involve cross-referencing the training programs with state workforce development agency reports and industry needs assessments. Without this granular detail, it's difficult to definitively state the market relevance of the skills imparted.

How does the per-student cost of this contract compare to other Job Corps centers or similar federal training programs?

Calculating a precise per-student cost requires knowing the number of students served annually and the total contract value allocated to direct training services versus administrative overhead. The total contract value is $35.2 million over approximately 1094 days (roughly 3 years). If we assume an average of 200 students per year, the annual cost would be approximately $10.7 million, or about $35,700 per student per year. This figure needs to be compared against national averages for Job Corps centers, which can vary significantly based on location, program intensity, and support services provided. Benchmarking against other federally funded training programs would also be essential for a comprehensive comparison.

What is the track record of Alternate Perspectives Inc. in managing large federal contracts, particularly in the education and training sector?

Information on Alternate Perspectives Inc.'s track record is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this $35.2 million contract. A review of their past performance on federal contracts, specifically those involving Job Corps or similar workforce development initiatives, would be necessary. This would include examining contract history for timeliness of delivery, quality of services, cost control, and any instances of performance issues or disputes. Without access to their contract performance reports or a detailed history of their federal awards, it is challenging to provide a definitive assessment of their reliability and expertise in this domain.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is contractor performance being measured and evaluated?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for Job Corps contracts, KPIs would include metrics such as student graduation rates, job placement rates, starting wages of placed graduates, employer satisfaction, and program completion rates. The Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM) would be responsible for establishing and monitoring these KPIs. The effectiveness of the contractor is evaluated against these metrics, which directly influence future contract awards and potential incentives or penalties.

What was the rationale behind the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition process for this contract?

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the contract's competition type suggests that prior to the full and open competition, certain potential bidders were excluded. The rationale for such exclusions can vary. It might stem from a pre-qualification process, a determination that certain sources did not meet minimum requirements, or specific agency needs that narrowed the field. Understanding this rationale is important because it could indicate whether the competition was truly as broad as possible or if there were specific reasons for limiting the initial pool of potential offerors. Further investigation into the solicitation documents or agency justifications would be needed to clarify this.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1630J4-20-R-0001

Offers Received: 8

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 209 BROWNS MEADOW CT NE, LEESBURG, VA, 20176

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $64,518,148

Exercised Options: $38,915,448

Current Obligation: $35,233,546

Actual Outlays: $34,737,604

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline