Department of Labor awards $44.2M contract to Human Learning Systems LLC for Shreveport Job Corps Center operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,195,466 ($44.2M)

Contractor: Human Learning Systems LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2022-03-11

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,634 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARD FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SHREVEPORT JOB CORPS CENTER WITH OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: SHREVEPORT, CADDO County, LOUISIANA, 71109

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $44.2 million to HUMAN LEARNING SYSTEMS LLC for work described as: AWARD FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SHREVEPORT JOB CORPS CENTER WITH OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in workforce development and vocational training. 2. Competition was conducted under a 'full and open' basis after exclusion of sources, suggesting a deliberate selection process. 3. The contract duration of over four years indicates a long-term commitment to service delivery. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 5. The award falls within the 'Other Technical and Trade Schools' NAICS code, highlighting a specialized service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $44.2 million over approximately four years suggests a substantial operational budget for the Shreveport Job Corps Center. Benchmarking against similar Job Corps center contracts would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the firm fixed-price structure indicates an expectation of predictable costs. Without specific performance metrics or historical cost data for this center, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the scale of the award implies a comprehensive service offering.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria or prior evaluations. The presence of 10 bids suggests a reasonably competitive environment, which typically aids in price discovery and achieving fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing and service proposals, potentially leading to cost savings and improved service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals seeking vocational training and career development services in the Shreveport, Louisiana area. The contract ensures the continued operation of the Shreveport Job Corps Center, providing essential services like career training, education, and job placement assistance. The geographic impact is focused on Louisiana, specifically the Shreveport region, supporting local workforce development initiatives. The contract has implications for the local workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for instructors, administrative staff, and support personnel at the center.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the excluded sources were highly qualified and the current vendor's performance is not rigorously monitored.
The 'exclusion of sources' clause requires careful scrutiny to ensure it did not unduly limit competition or lead to a suboptimal outcome.
Long-term contract duration necessitates robust performance management to ensure continued value and effectiveness.

Positive Signals

The 'full and open' competition aspect, despite exclusions, suggests an effort to engage a competitive market.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.
The award to a single entity implies a clear point of accountability for the center's operations.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the 'Other Technical and Trade Schools' sector, which is a subset of the broader education and workforce development industry. This sector is crucial for equipping individuals with specialized skills demanded by the labor market. Government spending in this area often focuses on programs like Job Corps, which aim to address skills gaps and provide pathways to employment for underserved populations. The market for operating such centers can be specialized, with a few key players often competing for these significant contracts.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and there is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals (sb: false). This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best overall proposal, potentially from larger, specialized organizations. The absence of set-aside provisions means that small businesses may have limited direct opportunities through this specific award, although they could potentially participate as subcontractors if Human Learning Systems LLC chooses to engage them.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would likely fall under the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM). Standard oversight mechanisms would include performance monitoring, financial audits, and compliance reviews to ensure the contractor meets the terms and conditions of the contract and delivers the required services effectively. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific operational details may be less public.

Related Government Programs

Job Corps Program
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Programs
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Adult Education and Literacy Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for reduced competition due to source exclusion.
Need for robust performance monitoring given the long contract duration.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $44.2 million to HUMAN LEARNING SYSTEMS LLC. AWARD FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SHREVEPORT JOB CORPS CENTER WITH OUTREACH AND ADMISSIONS AND CAREER TRANSITION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HUMAN LEARNING SYSTEMS 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 $44.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-03-11. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the historical spending pattern for the Shreveport Job Corps Center operations?

Historical spending data for the Shreveport Job Corps Center prior to this award is not directly available in the provided data. However, the current award of $44.2 million over approximately 1634 days (roughly 4.5 years) suggests an average annual expenditure of approximately $9.8 million. To understand the historical pattern, one would need to access prior contract awards for this specific center, analyze their values, durations, and any adjustments made over time. This would reveal whether the current award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment compared to previous periods and identify any trends in operational costs or service scope.

How does the cost per student compare to other Job Corps centers nationally?

The provided data does not include the number of students served or the specific breakdown of costs per student. To perform this comparison, we would need to know the total number of students enrolled and served throughout the contract period and divide the total award amount ($44.2 million) by this number. Subsequently, this calculated cost per student would need to be benchmarked against publicly available data or reports from other Job Corps centers across the nation. Such a comparison would help determine if the Shreveport center's operational costs are in line with national averages, potentially indicating efficiency or areas for cost optimization.

What specific services are included in the 'Outreach and Admissions and Career Transition Services'?

The 'Outreach and Admissions' component typically involves recruiting potential students, assessing their eligibility, and enrolling them in the Job Corps program. This includes marketing the program, conducting interviews, and verifying qualifications. 'Career Transition Services' (CTS) are crucial for post-program success and usually encompass job placement assistance, employer outreach, counseling, and follow-up support for graduates as they enter the workforce. This ensures students not only gain skills but also find and retain meaningful employment, contributing to the program's overall effectiveness and return on investment.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?

The provided contract data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that Human Learning Systems LLC must meet. However, for a Job Corps center contract, typical KPIs would likely include student enrollment rates, program completion rates, academic achievement levels, trade skill attainment, job placement rates, and post-placement retention rates. The Department of Labor would monitor these metrics to assess the contractor's performance and ensure the center is effectively serving its mission. Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies or impact future contract awards.

What is the track record of Human Learning Systems LLC in managing similar government contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Human Learning Systems LLC in managing similar government contracts, particularly Job Corps centers, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, including their success in meeting performance targets, managing budgets, and adhering to compliance requirements. Examining their history with the Department of Labor or other agencies involved in workforce development would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability as a contractor for this significant operation.

What is the potential impact of the 'exclusion of sources' on the final contract price?

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award can have a nuanced impact on the final contract price. If the excluded sources were significant competitors capable of offering lower prices or superior services, their exclusion might reduce competitive pressure, potentially leading to a higher price than might have been achieved in a truly unrestricted competition. Conversely, if the exclusions were based on specific, justifiable criteria (e.g., lack of necessary qualifications, past performance issues), then the remaining pool of bidders might still be robust enough to ensure competitive pricing. The number of bids received (10) suggests that a substantial number of qualified bidders remained.

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: 1605JW-22-R-00003

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2445 CANDLER RD, DECATUR, GA, 30032

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $62,213,643

Exercised Options: $49,528,203

Current Obligation: $44,195,466

Actual Outlays: $38,045,500

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline