Department of Education awards $2.6M BPA Call Order to SAFAL PARTNERS LLC for Homeless Education Technical Assistance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,637,693 ($2.6M)

Contractor: Safal Partners LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2024-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AWARD OF NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR HOMELESS EDUCATION (NTACHE) SUPPORT BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) CALL ORDER.

Place of Performance

Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77042

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $2.6 million to SAFAL PARTNERS LLC for work described as: AWARD OF NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR HOMELESS EDUCATION (NTACHE) SUPPORT BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) CALL ORDER. Key points: 1. Contract provides administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search. 3. The contract duration is 729 days, ending September 29, 2026. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. SAFAL PARTNERS LLC is the sole awardee for this specific call order. 6. The contract is managed by the Department of Education. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $2.64 million for a 729-day period for technical assistance services appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting and technical assistance in the education sector would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. The number of bids received (6) also suggests a competitive environment that likely influenced pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit an offer. Six bids were received, indicating a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. The competitive process is expected to have driven a fair market price and ensured the government received proposals from a range of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition and multiple bids received suggest that taxpayer dollars were used efficiently, as the government likely secured competitive pricing and a wider pool of potential solutions.

Public Impact

This contract directly benefits students experiencing homelessness by supporting the National Technical Assistance Center for Homeless Education (NTACHE). It delivers essential administrative management and general management consulting services to enhance support for these students. The services provided are national in scope, aiming to improve educational outcomes for a vulnerable population across the United States. The contract supports the Department of Education's mission to promote student success and equal access to education.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'technical assistance' is not clearly delineated.
Reliance on a single contractor for this specific BPA call order, though the initial competition was broad.
Effectiveness of the technical assistance will depend on the contractor's ability to adapt to diverse local needs.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting process.
Firm fixed-price contract type helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
The contract supports a critical social program focused on vulnerable students.
The duration allows for sustained support and program development.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector is broad and includes firms that provide expertise in organizational efficiency, strategic planning, and operational management. The market for these services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized consulting. The Department of Education frequently procures such services to support its various programs and initiatives, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or technical assistance to grantees and stakeholders.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). While SAFAL PARTNERS LLC's size status is not provided, the competition was full and open, allowing small businesses to compete if they met the qualifications. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data, but this is a common area for oversight to ensure small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Education is responsible for the oversight of this contract. As a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call Order, it is likely managed through established procurement and contract management processes within the agency. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases like SAM.gov. Specific oversight mechanisms would include regular performance reviews, financial audits, and adherence to the terms and conditions of the BPA and the call order.

Related Government Programs

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program (McKinney-Vento Act)
Department of Education Grants and Assistance Programs
Federal Technical Assistance Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor performance issues over the contract duration.
Scope definition clarity is crucial for effective technical assistance delivery.
Dependence on a single awardee for specific call order services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $2.6 million to SAFAL PARTNERS LLC. AWARD OF NATIONAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER FOR HOMELESS EDUCATION (NTACHE) SUPPORT BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) CALL ORDER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SAFAL PARTNERS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Education (Department of Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the track record of SAFAL PARTNERS LLC in providing similar technical assistance services to federal agencies, particularly in the education sector?

A review of federal procurement data would be necessary to fully assess SAFAL PARTNERS LLC's track record. However, their selection for this National Technical Assistance Center for Homeless Education (NTACHE) Support BPA Call Order suggests they possess relevant experience and qualifications deemed sufficient by the Department of Education. Further investigation into their past performance ratings on similar contracts, client testimonials, and any history of performance issues or awards would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability in delivering technical assistance and management consulting services.

How does the awarded amount of $2.64 million compare to the typical cost of similar technical assistance contracts managed by the Department of Education or other federal agencies?

The awarded amount of $2.64 million for a 729-day period (approximately 2 years) for technical assistance services needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts. The NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) is broad. Contracts for specialized technical assistance in education, particularly for vulnerable populations like homeless youth, can vary significantly based on scope, deliverables, and the level of expertise required. Without specific data on the number of hours, personnel rates, or detailed scope of work, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the fact that it was awarded under full and open competition with 6 bids suggests the pricing was considered competitive within the market for such services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of the technical assistance provided under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for this contract. Typically, for technical assistance contracts, KPIs would focus on the effectiveness and reach of the support provided. This could include measures such as the number of state coordinators or local liaisons trained, the quality of resources developed, the responsiveness to inquiries, improvements in data collection or reporting related to homeless education, and ultimately, the impact on educational outcomes for students experiencing homelessness. The contract's performance work statement (PWS) would detail these specific metrics and evaluation criteria.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Education on technical assistance for homeless education initiatives?

Historical spending data for the Department of Education's technical assistance initiatives related to homeless education would require a deep dive into past contract awards and program budgets. The establishment of a National Technical Assistance Center for Homeless Education (NTACHE) suggests a sustained commitment to providing such support. Analyzing previous awards under the McKinney-Vento Act or similar programs would reveal trends in funding levels, contract types, and the duration of support. This analysis would help contextualize the current $2.64 million award within the agency's broader investment in addressing the educational needs of homeless students.

Are there any specific risks associated with relying on a single contractor (SAFAL PARTNERS LLC) for this particular BPA call order, despite the initial broad competition?

While the initial competition was full and open, the award of a specific BPA call order to a single entity, SAFAL PARTNERS LLC, introduces some inherent risks. These include potential vendor lock-in, where transitioning to another provider might be costly or disruptive if the relationship sours or performance declines. There's also the risk that the contractor may not maintain optimal performance levels over the contract's duration, especially if they perceive reduced competitive pressure after the initial award. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the contract and the Department of Education's oversight capabilities are designed to mitigate these risks by ensuring accountability and managing performance against defined objectives.

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: 91990024Q0035

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2900 WILCREST DR, SUITE - 416, HOUSTON, TX, 77042

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,219,683

Exercised Options: $2,637,693

Current Obligation: $2,637,693

Actual Outlays: $1,781,818

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 91990020A0031

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline