HHS awards $14.16M for anti-trafficking training, with 77.58% of contract value potentially going to small businesses

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,158,286 ($14.2M)

Contractor: ICF Incorporated, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (NHTTAC)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $14.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C. for work described as: NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (NHTTAC) Key points: 1. The contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. This award represents a significant investment in combating human trafficking through training and technical assistance. 3. The contract duration of 1825 days (5 years) suggests a long-term commitment to addressing this issue. 4. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce cost variability. 5. The high percentage of potential small business subcontracting indicates a focus on supporting smaller entities in this effort. 6. The contract is managed by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within HHS.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $14.16 million over five years averages to approximately $2.83 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar federal contracts for training and technical assistance requires detailed analysis of scope and deliverables. However, the stated potential for 77.58% subcontracting to small businesses suggests a strategy to leverage specialized expertise and potentially achieve cost efficiencies through a distributed network of providers. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model, while offering flexibility, warrants careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and align with project milestones.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. While the number of bidders is not explicitly stated, full and open competition generally implies a robust selection process with multiple interested parties, which can drive down costs and improve the quality of services.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through the likelihood of receiving services at a more competitive price and with higher quality standards due to the pressure of multiple bidders vying for the contract.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are individuals and organizations involved in combating human trafficking, receiving enhanced training and technical support. Services delivered include the development and dissemination of training materials, expert consultation, and capacity-building initiatives. The geographic impact is national, aiming to support anti-trafficking efforts across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for increased employment within small businesses that will be subcontracted for specialized services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure if not closely managed.
Ensuring effective oversight and quality control across multiple subcontractors could be challenging.
The long-term nature of the contract requires sustained focus and adaptation to evolving anti-trafficking strategies.

Positive Signals

Significant commitment to combating human trafficking demonstrates a priority for the administration.
High percentage of subcontracting to small businesses supports economic development and specialized expertise.
Full and open competition suggests a robust process for selecting the most capable provider.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. The market for such services is broad, encompassing a wide range of government and private sector needs. Federal spending in this category is substantial, with agencies frequently outsourcing expertise for program management, policy development, and technical assistance. This contract's focus on a critical social issue like human trafficking positions it within a specialized niche of public service consulting.

Small Business Impact

The contract indicates a strong emphasis on small business participation, with a substantial 77.58% of the contract value potentially flowing down to small business subcontractors. This suggests a deliberate strategy to leverage the agility and specialized capabilities of small businesses in delivering training and technical assistance. It also implies a positive impact on the small business ecosystem by providing significant contract opportunities and fostering growth within this segment of the economy. The success of this subcontracting plan will be crucial for achieving the contract's broader objectives.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within HHS, which is responsible for ensuring contract compliance and performance. Accountability measures would typically involve regular reporting, performance reviews, and adherence to the terms of the Time and Materials contract. Transparency is facilitated through the contract award process itself, which was conducted under full and open competition. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Anti-Trafficking Initiatives
Victims of Trafficking Prevention Program
Department of Justice Anti-Trafficking Grants
Department of Labor Anti-Trafficking Efforts
Child Welfare Training and Technical Assistance

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with T&M pricing.
Ensuring effective oversight of subcontracting.
Measuring long-term impact of training.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $14.2 million to ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C.. NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER (NHTTAC)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ICF INCORPORATED, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Administration for Children and Families).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. in performing similar federal contracts, particularly those related to social services or training?

ICF Incorporated, L.L.C. has a significant history of performing federal contracts across various agencies, including HHS. Their portfolio often includes work in public health, social services, and management consulting. While specific details on past performance for anti-trafficking training are not provided in this summary, ICF's general experience suggests a capacity to handle complex projects. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any relevant certifications would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their suitability for this specific task. Their ability to manage large, multi-year contracts and coordinate with multiple stakeholders is a key indicator of their potential success.

How does the average annual value of this contract compare to other federal investments in anti-trafficking programs?

The average annual value of this contract is approximately $2.83 million ($14.16 million / 5 years). Comparing this to other federal investments in anti-trafficking requires a broad analysis of budgets across agencies like HHS, DOJ, and DOL. Federal spending on anti-trafficking is multifaceted, including law enforcement, victim services, prevention, and research. This particular contract focuses on training and technical assistance, which is a critical component but represents only one facet of the overall federal anti-trafficking strategy. Without a comprehensive review of all related federal expenditures, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this contract's value. However, $2.83 million annually suggests a substantial commitment to enhancing the capacity of those on the front lines.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this specific service?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Center (NHTTAC) contract is the potential for cost overruns. T&M contracts pay the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If not meticulously managed and monitored, this structure can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates, especially if project scope creeps or inefficiencies arise in labor application. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight to ensure that hours billed are reasonable and necessary, and that material costs are fair. The flexibility of T&M can be beneficial for evolving needs, but it places a higher burden on the contracting officer's representative (COR) to actively manage and control expenditures throughout the contract's duration.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) likely used to measure the effectiveness of the training and technical assistance provided under this contract?

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would likely focus on the reach, quality, and impact of the training and technical assistance. Examples could include: the number of individuals or organizations trained, satisfaction rates of training participants (measured through surveys), the number of technical assistance requests fulfilled, and qualitative assessments of improved capacity among recipients. Longer-term impact KPIs might involve tracking reported improvements in anti-trafficking efforts by partner organizations or a reduction in trafficking incidents in areas where enhanced training has been implemented. The contract's success will hinge on ICF's ability to demonstrate tangible improvements in the anti-trafficking ecosystem through their services.

How has federal spending on human trafficking prevention and assistance evolved over the past five years, and where does this contract fit in?

Federal spending on human trafficking prevention and assistance has generally seen an upward trend over the past five years, reflecting increased awareness and prioritization of the issue. This includes funding for law enforcement efforts, victim support services, international cooperation, and importantly, training and technical assistance. This $14.16 million contract for the NHTTAC fits directly into the training and technical assistance component, representing a significant, multi-year investment by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within HHS. It signifies a strategic allocation of resources to build capacity and share best practices across the nation, complementing other federal efforts that may focus more on direct services or prosecution.

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

Solicitation ID: 75ACF121Q00016

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: ICF International, Inc.

Address: 1902 RESTON METRO PLAZA, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,158,286

Exercised Options: $14,158,286

Current Obligation: $14,158,286

Actual Outlays: $11,955,979

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $748,879

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F010CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline