Treasury's $4.08M temporary staffing contract awarded to National Associates, Inc. for 2 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,075,805 ($4.1M)

Contractor: National Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Treasury

Start Date: 2023-10-01

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TEMPORARY PERSONNEL ASSISTANT II HROD

Place of Performance

Location: PARKERSBURG, WOOD County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26106

State: West Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Treasury obligated $4.1 million to NATIONAL ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: TEMPORARY PERSONNEL ASSISTANT II HROD Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, providing cost certainty for the government. 2. Utilizes a Best Practices Agreement (BPA) Call, suggesting a pre-negotiated framework for services. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process with specific justifications. 4. The contract duration of 730 days aligns with the need for consistent temporary staffing. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 561320 points to temporary help services. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements mentioned.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's firm-fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for value, as it caps potential spending. Benchmarking against similar temporary staffing contracts would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the award to a single contractor under a BPA Call suggests that pricing was likely evaluated against pre-established rates or competitive bids within the BPA framework. The total award amount of $4.08 million over two years appears reasonable for providing specialized administrative support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources may have been excluded based on defined criteria. The exact reasons for exclusion are not detailed but typically relate to specific capabilities or prior performance. The fact that it was open competition suggests multiple bidders likely participated, leading to price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and ensuring the government receives services at a fair market rate.

Public Impact

Provides essential temporary administrative support personnel to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Ensures continuity of operations by filling staffing gaps within the Department of the Treasury. The services are delivered in West Virginia, indicating a specific geographic impact. Supports the federal workforce by providing opportunities for temporary employment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the 'exclusion of sources' could mask a less competitive environment than implied.
No explicit mention of performance metrics or service level agreements within the provided data.
The reliance on temporary staff may indicate underlying systemic staffing challenges within the agency.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
BPA Call mechanism implies a streamlined and potentially cost-effective procurement method.

Sector Analysis

The temporary help services sector (NAICS 561320) is a significant component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. Federal agencies frequently utilize temporary staffing to manage fluctuating workloads, fill critical vacancies, and access specialized skills without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs and budget cycles. This contract represents a portion of the government's overall investment in contingent workforce solutions.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The primary contractor, National Associates, Inc., is likely a larger entity, and the contract does not appear to mandate specific small business subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Bureau of the Fiscal Service's contracting officers and program managers. As a firm-fixed-price contract awarded through a competitive process, the primary accountability measure is adherence to the contract terms and delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Workforce Staffing Solutions
Temporary Administrative Support Services
Bureau of the Fiscal Service Contracts
Department of the Treasury Procurement

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.
Lack of explicit performance metrics in provided data.
Over-reliance on temporary staff could impact institutional knowledge.
Contractor performance history not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Treasury awarded $4.1 million to NATIONAL ASSOCIATES, INC.. TEMPORARY PERSONNEL ASSISTANT II HROD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NATIONAL ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Treasury (Bureau of the Fiscal Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of National Associates, Inc. in performing federal contracts, particularly for temporary staffing services?

A comprehensive review of National Associates, Inc.'s federal contract history would require accessing databases like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or SAM.gov. Generally, agencies look for contractors with a demonstrated history of successful performance, timely delivery, and compliance with contract terms. For temporary staffing, key performance indicators often include fill rates, employee retention, quality of candidates provided, and adherence to labor laws and agency policies. Past performance evaluations, if available, would offer insights into their reliability and ability to meet service level agreements. Without specific past performance data for this contractor, it's assumed the agency conducted due diligence during the procurement process.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar temporary staffing contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $4.08 million contract against similar federal temporary staffing contracts requires detailed analysis of hourly rates for specific job classifications (e.g., Temporary Personnel Assistant II), contract duration, and geographic location. The firm-fixed-price nature provides a ceiling, but the actual value depends on the volume of services utilized. Comparing the average loaded hourly rate (including all overhead, profit, and benefits) to government-wide schedules (like GSA's Professional Services Schedule) or other agency contracts for comparable roles would be necessary. Factors like the level of security clearance required, specialized skills, and the urgency of the need can influence rates. A preliminary assessment suggests the pricing is within a reasonable range for specialized administrative support, but a detailed rate comparison is needed for a definitive conclusion.

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

Key risks include potential over-reliance on temporary staff leading to institutional knowledge gaps, difficulties in ensuring consistent quality and performance from temporary personnel, and the possibility of the 'exclusion of sources' limiting true competition. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contractor oversight by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, clear performance standards and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) within the contract, and regular performance reviews. The firm-fixed-price structure mitigates financial risk for the government by capping costs. The agency's justification for excluding sources would also be a critical factor in assessing competitive risk. Ensuring compliance with labor laws and fair employment practices for temporary staff is another area requiring vigilance.

How effective is the use of temporary staffing services in meeting the Bureau of the Fiscal Service's long-term operational needs?

The effectiveness of temporary staffing hinges on how strategically it's employed. If used for short-term surges, specific projects, or to bridge gaps during permanent hiring processes, it can be highly effective and cost-efficient. However, if relied upon for core, long-term functions, it can lead to decreased morale among permanent staff, higher turnover, and potential loss of institutional knowledge. The Bureau of the Fiscal Service's decision to award a two-year contract suggests a recognized ongoing need for these services. Evaluating effectiveness would require assessing whether these temporary personnel are contributing to mission-critical functions and if the agency has a plan to convert essential roles to permanent positions or manage the contingent workforce sustainably.

What are the historical spending patterns for temporary help services within the Department of the Treasury or the Bureau of the Fiscal Service?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for temporary help services within the Department of the Treasury and specifically the Bureau of the Fiscal Service would reveal trends in their utilization of contingent labor. This involves examining contract data over several fiscal years to identify the total amount spent, the primary contractors used, the types of services procured (e.g., administrative, IT, professional), and the duration of these contracts. Significant year-over-year increases or decreases could indicate shifts in agency staffing strategies, budget allocations, or specific project demands. Understanding these patterns provides context for the current $4.08 million award, helping to determine if it represents a typical level of expenditure or a notable deviation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Employment Services › Temporary Help Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1101 CONNECTICUT AVE NW STE 450, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,075,805

Exercised Options: $4,075,805

Current Obligation: $4,075,805

Actual Outlays: $4,075,805

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 2033H623A00006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline