Transportation awards $4.5M for HR support, with a significant portion allocated to staffing and classification services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,496,935 ($4.5M)

Contractor: Grey Street Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Transportation

Start Date: 2021-12-26

End Date: 2026-07-11

Contract Duration: 1,658 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: HUMAN RESOURCE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STAFFING AND CLASSIFICATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT TEAMS OF CORPORATE RECRUITMENT, DATA ANALYST, BENEFITS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20590

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Transportation obligated $4.5 million to GREY STREET CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: HUMAN RESOURCE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STAFFING AND CLASSIFICATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT TEAMS OF CORPORATE RECRUITMENT, DATA ANALYST, BENEFITS Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential human resources functions, including staffing, classification, and human capital management. 2. A substantial portion of the contract value is dedicated to data analyst roles, indicating a need for data-driven HR insights. 3. The contract duration extends over several years, suggesting a long-term need for these specialized HR services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a broad market search for qualified contractors. 5. The primary service area is Washington D.C., aligning with the concentration of federal agencies in the capital. 6. The contract type is a delivery order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $4.5 million over approximately 5.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend for HR support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the scope appears to cover core HR functions, which are critical for agency operations. The pricing structure, likely based on labor hours, needs to be evaluated against prevailing market rates for comparable skill sets.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the Federal Transit Administration sought proposals from all responsible sources. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging multiple bidders to submit proposals. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a robust process aimed at achieving the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors, which is beneficial for taxpayers by potentially lowering costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of Transportation, particularly those in recruitment, classification, and human capital management, will benefit from enhanced support services. The contract delivers essential HR functions, including staffing, classification, data analysis, benefits administration, and human capital management. The primary geographic impact is in the District of Columbia, where the Federal Transit Administration is likely headquartered or has significant operations. The contract supports the federal workforce by ensuring efficient HR processes, which can lead to better recruitment, retention, and overall employee satisfaction.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if labor hour rates are not carefully managed and benchmarked against market data.
Risk of service disruption if key personnel are not retained or if knowledge transfer is inadequate.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical HR functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that should yield good value.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need for these services, allowing for specialized expertise development.
Focus on data analysis within HR suggests a forward-looking approach to human capital management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector encompasses a wide range of advisory and assistance services provided to government agencies. Spending in this area is consistent with the government's need for specialized expertise to manage complex operations, including human resources. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader government-wide consulting services contracts or agency-specific HR support procurements.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, if the prime contractor, Grey Street Consulting, LLC, chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals outlined in the award, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is uncertain, though larger contracts often create downstream opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Federal Transit Administration's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving payments. The Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General (OIG) may also conduct audits or investigations related to this contract to ensure accountability and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS.

Related Government Programs

Human Resources Management Services
Staffing and Recruitment Support
Classification and Compensation Services
Benefits Administration
Management and Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost creep if labor hours are not closely monitored.
Reliance on contractor personnel for critical HR functions.
Need for robust performance metrics to ensure service quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Transportation awarded $4.5 million to GREY STREET CONSULTING, LLC. HUMAN RESOURCE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STAFFING AND CLASSIFICATION AND HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT TEAMS OF CORPORATE RECRUITMENT, DATA ANALYST, BENEFITS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GREY STREET CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Transportation (Federal Transit Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-26. End: 2026-07-11.

What is the track record of Grey Street Consulting, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess Grey Street Consulting, LLC's track record. Key indicators to examine include the number and value of previous contracts awarded to the company, the agencies they have served, and the types of services rendered. Performance ratings from past contracts, if available, would provide crucial insights into their reliability, quality of service, and adherence to timelines and budgets. Understanding their history with HR support, staffing, and data analysis services specifically would be most relevant to this current award. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively gauge their capabilities for this particular contract.

How does the awarded value compare to similar HR support contracts within the federal government?

To benchmark the $4.5 million award, one would compare it against contracts for similar Human Resources support services, particularly those under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services), awarded by agencies of comparable size and mission to the Federal Transit Administration. Factors such as contract duration, scope of services (staffing, classification, benefits, data analysis), and geographic location (Washington D.C.) are critical for a meaningful comparison. If this contract's per-labor-hour rates or total value significantly deviates from the average for similar services and durations, it could indicate either exceptional value or potential overpricing. Access to detailed contract data, including task orders and pricing structures, is essential for a thorough comparison.

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

Primary risks include potential cost overruns due to fluctuating labor market rates or inefficient service delivery, performance deficiencies if the contractor fails to meet service level agreements, and personnel turnover leading to knowledge gaps. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the Federal Transit Administration, including regular performance reviews, clear performance metrics (e.g., response times, accuracy rates), and defined remedies for non-performance. The contract's structure, likely involving labor hour task orders, allows for flexibility but requires diligent monitoring of hours expended against deliverables. The use of a delivery order under a potential IDIQ vehicle might also imply pre-negotiated terms and conditions that help manage risk.

How effective is the Federal Transit Administration in managing its HR support contracts to ensure optimal value?

Assessing the effectiveness of the FTA's contract management requires examining their internal processes, staffing levels dedicated to contract oversight, and historical performance data on similar contracts. Key indicators include the frequency and thoroughness of performance reviews, the agency's ability to identify and address performance issues proactively, and the success rate in achieving desired outcomes within budget. The FTA's utilization of full and open competition for this award suggests a commitment to seeking competitive solutions. However, the ultimate effectiveness hinges on the day-to-day diligence of contracting officers and program managers in monitoring contractor performance and ensuring accountability throughout the contract lifecycle.

What has been the historical spending trend for HR support services by the Federal Transit Administration?

Analyzing historical spending trends for HR support services by the FTA would involve examining procurement data over several fiscal years. This would reveal whether spending in this category has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether this contract represents a significant shift. Understanding past spending patterns can help contextualize the current award's size and duration, indicating whether the FTA has a long-standing reliance on external support for these functions or if this is a new or expanded initiative. It also helps in identifying potential patterns of contract renewals or re-competitions for similar services.

What is the significance of the 'Data Analyst' component within this HR support contract?

The inclusion of 'Data Analyst' roles within this HR support contract signifies a move towards data-driven decision-making in human capital management. This suggests the Federal Transit Administration aims to leverage data analytics for various HR functions, such as identifying recruitment trends, analyzing employee performance metrics, forecasting workforce needs, assessing the effectiveness of benefits programs, and understanding employee satisfaction drivers. The presence of data analysts indicates a need for specialized skills in data collection, cleaning, analysis, interpretation, and visualization to provide actionable insights that can inform strategic HR planning and policy development.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7605 RUSTLE RIDGE CT, FAIRFAX STATION, VA, 22039

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,496,935

Exercised Options: $4,496,935

Current Obligation: $4,496,935

Actual Outlays: $3,179,516

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA21D001W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline