HHS awards $37.6M for child welfare training, with JBS International Inc. as prime contractor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $37,588,615 ($37.6M)

Contractor: JBS International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-08-30

End Date: 2026-11-18

Contract Duration: 810 days

Daily Burn Rate: $46.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NCWCIA PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR FEDERAL CHILD WELFARE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS.

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 $37.6 million to JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: NCWCIA PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR FEDERAL CHILD WELFARE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical administrative management and consulting services for public child welfare agencies. 2. The contract duration of 810 days suggests a need for sustained support in policy implementation. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation. 4. The Time and Materials pricing structure may pose cost control challenges if not closely managed. 5. This award represents a significant investment in the federal child welfare infrastructure. 6. The contractor, JBS International, Inc., has a substantial contract value to manage.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $37.6 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for the scope of administrative management and general management consulting services provided to support federal child welfare policies and programs. Benchmarking against similar large-scale federal consulting contracts for social services administration suggests this award is within expected ranges. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing, while common for services requiring flexibility, necessitates diligent oversight to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep. Without specific per-unit data, a direct cost comparison is difficult, but the overall value seems aligned with the complexity of supporting national child welfare agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of 3 bids indicates a competitive process, which generally benefits the government by fostering price discovery and encouraging competitive pricing. The level of competition is a positive signal for achieving value for taxpayer dollars, as it likely drove down proposed costs compared to a sole-source or limited competition scenario. The government's ability to select from multiple proposals suggests a robust market for these specialized consulting services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayers receive the best possible value by allowing all eligible companies to compete, driving down prices and improving service quality through market forces.

Public Impact

Public child welfare agencies nationwide will benefit from enhanced training and technical assistance. Services delivered will support the effective implementation and administration of federal child welfare policies and programs. The geographic impact is national, affecting all states and territories with public child welfare systems. Workforce implications include potential professional development for agency staff and support for administrative functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously managed and monitored for efficiency.
The substantial contract value requires robust oversight to ensure performance aligns with objectives and budget.
Dependence on a single prime contractor for critical training and technical assistance necessitates strong performance management.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process that should yield good value.
The contract aims to improve the effectiveness of public child welfare agencies, a critical social service area.
The duration of the contract allows for sustained support and potential long-term improvements in program delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized expertise offered to government and private entities. The market for such services supporting social programs is substantial, driven by the ongoing need for policy implementation, program evaluation, and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks in this area often reflect the complexity and criticality of the services, such as those related to child welfare, which require deep understanding of regulations and best practices.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a large contract awarded under full and open competition, it is likely that JBS International, Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill specific aspects of the work. However, without explicit subcontracting plans or goals detailed in the award, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains uncertain. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contract's Time and Materials (T&M) nature necessitates close monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs to ensure adherence to the contract ceiling and prevent overspending. Performance metrics and regular progress reports from JBS International, Inc. will be crucial for accountability. While no specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction is mentioned, the HHS OIG typically has broad authority to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse within the department's programs and contracts.

Related Government Programs

Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
Foster Care Program
Adoption Assistance
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Programs
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
Ensuring consistent quality and effectiveness of training across diverse public child welfare agencies.
Managing scope creep and ensuring efficient labor utilization.
Measuring the tangible impact of training and technical assistance on child welfare outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $37.6 million to JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. NCWCIA PROVIDES TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE FOR FEDERAL CHILD WELFARE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC..

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 $37.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-30. End: 2026-11-18.

What is the track record of JBS International, Inc. in delivering similar training and technical assistance services to federal agencies, particularly within the child welfare domain?

JBS International, Inc. has a significant history of providing health and human services consulting to federal agencies, including extensive work with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and other components of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Their portfolio often includes program evaluation, technical assistance, and research related to child welfare, child care, and family support services. While specific details on past performance for this exact scope are not provided in the summary data, their established presence within HHS suggests a relevant background. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and client testimonials would offer a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in delivering complex training and technical assistance.

How does the awarded amount of $37.6 million compare to historical spending on similar child welfare training and technical assistance contracts by HHS?

The awarded amount of $37.6 million for training and technical assistance services to support public child welfare agencies is a substantial figure, reflecting the critical nature and broad scope of federal child welfare programs. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to analyze historical spending patterns for similar large-scale contracts managed by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) or other relevant HHS divisions. Factors such as the number of agencies served, the complexity of the training modules, the duration of technical assistance, and the specific policy areas covered would influence past contract values. Without direct comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if this award is high or low, but it indicates a significant commitment of resources to bolstering the capacity of child welfare systems nationwide.

What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this service, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, such as this one, is the potential for cost overruns if not managed diligently. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the actual cost of materials. This can lead to increased costs if the project scope expands, if labor hours are not efficiently utilized, or if material costs escalate unexpectedly. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, verification of material costs, and strict adherence to the contract's ceiling price. The government contracting officer and technical team must actively manage the scope of work, ensure efficient performance, and conduct regular reviews to identify and address any potential cost inefficiencies or scope creep promptly.

What specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) will be used to evaluate the success of JBS International, Inc. in delivering training and technical assistance?

While the provided data does not specify the exact performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract, typical evaluations for training and technical assistance contracts focus on several key areas. These often include the quality and relevance of training materials developed, the effectiveness of the training delivery (measured through participant feedback, knowledge retention tests, or post-training performance improvements), the timeliness and responsiveness of technical assistance provided, and the overall satisfaction of the supported public child welfare agencies. Metrics might also track the number of agencies reached, the number of training sessions conducted, and the successful implementation of recommendations stemming from technical assistance. The contract likely includes a Performance Work Statement (PWS) that details these specific measurable outcomes.

How does this contract align with the strategic goals of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) regarding the improvement of child welfare services?

This contract directly aligns with the strategic goals of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) by providing essential training and technical assistance to the public child welfare agencies responsible for implementing federal policies and programs. ACF's mission often centers on promoting the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and families. By enhancing the capacity of these agencies through expert guidance and skill development, the contract supports ACF's objective of ensuring that child welfare systems operate effectively and efficiently. The focus on administrative management and consulting suggests an effort to improve the operational backbone of these agencies, which is crucial for delivering high-quality services and achieving positive outcomes for children and families.

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: 75ACF24Q00034

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11200 ROCKVILLE PIKE STE 320, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $95,205,597

Exercised Options: $37,588,615

Current Obligation: $37,588,615

Actual Outlays: $20,759,502

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D00AE

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline