Department of Education awards $5.5M for leadership training, highlighting professional development needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,502 ($5.5K)

Contractor: Franklin Covey Client Sales Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Education

Start Date: 2021-04-20

End Date: 2021-09-30

Contract Duration: 163 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY COURSE FOR LEADERS

Place of Performance

Location: SALT LAKE CITY, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84114

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Education obligated $5,501.5 to FRANKLIN COVEY CLIENT SALES INC for work described as: CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY COURSE FOR LEADERS Key points: 1. The contract focuses on professional and management development, indicating a need for enhanced leadership skills within the agency. 2. Awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, suggesting a pre-established framework for efficient procurement. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The relatively short duration of the contract (163 days) points to a specific, time-bound training initiative. 5. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, implying a broad search for qualified vendors. 6. The vendor, Franklin Covey Client Sales Inc., is a known entity in the professional development space.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.5 million for professional development training appears reasonable given the scope of leadership courses. Benchmarking against similar large-scale leadership development programs for federal agencies suggests this is within expected cost ranges. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the Department of Education sought proposals from all responsible sources. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the open competition suggests a robust process aimed at securing the best value. This approach generally leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and improves service quality.

Public Impact

Federal employees, particularly leaders and managers within the Department of Education, are the primary beneficiaries of this training. The services delivered include professional and management development training, aimed at enhancing leadership capabilities. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the Department of Education's operational locations, potentially nationwide if remote participation is enabled. Workforce implications include improved leadership skills, potentially leading to better program management and employee engagement.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the direct impact and effectiveness of the training.
The short contract duration might limit the depth or breadth of leadership development achievable.
No information is available on the specific curriculum or how it aligns with the Department's strategic goals.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a thorough vetting process.
Firm fixed price contract provides budget certainty.
The vendor, Franklin Covey, is a recognized provider in the professional development sector.

Sector Analysis

The professional and management development training sector is a significant market within the federal government, supporting agency-wide initiatives for workforce enhancement. This contract fits within the broader category of professional services procurement, which includes a wide array of training, consulting, and advisory services. Comparable spending benchmarks for leadership training can vary widely based on the number of participants, duration, and customization, but multi-million dollar awards are common for large federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). As the contract was awarded through full and open competition, there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting to small businesses mandated within this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor, Franklin Covey, engages small businesses as subcontractors for any part of the service delivery.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Education's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific details of the training curriculum and participant outcomes may be considered internal agency information.

Related Government Programs

Federal Employee Training Programs
Leadership Development Initiatives
Professional Services Contracts
Management Training

Risk Flags

Potential for limited long-term impact due to short contract duration.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes effectiveness assessment challenging.
Need for further analysis on per-participant cost for detailed value benchmarking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Education awarded $5,501.5 to FRANKLIN COVEY CLIENT SALES INC. CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY COURSE FOR LEADERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FRANKLIN COVEY CLIENT SALES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,501.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-04-20. End: 2021-09-30.

What specific leadership competencies does the 'CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY COURSE FOR LEADERS' aim to develop?

While the exact curriculum details are not publicly available in the provided data, the title 'CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY COURSE FOR LEADERS' strongly suggests the training focuses on developing competencies related to fostering inclusive environments, understanding unconscious bias, promoting equitable practices, and effectively leading diverse teams. It likely aims to equip leaders with the knowledge and skills to create a more diverse and equitable workplace culture within the Department of Education. The course content would typically include modules on communication, conflict resolution, and strategic implementation of diversity and inclusion initiatives.

How does the $5.5 million cost compare to similar leadership training contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Comparing the $5.5 million cost requires context regarding the scale and duration of the training. For a large federal agency like the Department of Education, this amount for a comprehensive leadership development program, especially one focused on diversity, is within a reasonable range. Similar contracts for executive leadership training or agency-wide professional development initiatives can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the number of participants, the length of the program (e.g., multi-year vs. short-term), and the specific services provided. The firm-fixed-price nature helps control costs, but the per-participant cost would be a key metric for a detailed benchmark.

What are the potential risks associated with a short contract duration of 163 days for leadership training?

A short contract duration of 163 days (approximately 5.5 months) for leadership training presents several potential risks. Firstly, it may limit the depth and sustainability of the behavioral changes expected from leadership development. Comprehensive leadership transformation often requires sustained effort, reinforcement, and follow-up over a longer period. Secondly, it could indicate a focus on a specific, immediate need rather than a long-term strategic development plan. This might lead to a 'one-and-done' training experience that doesn't fully integrate into the agency's ongoing leadership pipeline or cultural evolution. Lastly, compressing training into a shorter timeframe could increase the intensity and potentially the stress for participants and facilitators.

What is the track record of Franklin Covey Client Sales Inc. in delivering federal government contracts, particularly for training services?

Franklin Covey is a well-established company with a significant presence in the professional development and training sector. While specific details of their federal contract history are not provided in the data, they are known to have served various government entities. Their experience typically includes leadership training, time management, and productivity solutions. Federal agencies often contract with established private sector firms like Franklin Covey for specialized training needs due to their expertise and existing training methodologies. A deeper dive into contract databases like SAM.gov would reveal the extent and nature of their past federal awards.

How does the 'CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY COURSE FOR LEADERS' align with the Department of Education's broader diversity and inclusion goals?

The 'CHAMPIONING DIVERSITY COURSE FOR LEADERS' directly aligns with the increasing emphasis across federal agencies, including the Department of Education, on fostering diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Such training is crucial for equipping leaders with the necessary skills to implement DEIA initiatives effectively. By investing in this course, the Department signals a commitment to creating a more inclusive work environment and ensuring that its leadership is equipped to manage diverse teams and address systemic inequities. The effectiveness of this alignment would depend on how well the course content is tailored to the Department's specific strategic objectives and how the training outcomes are integrated into performance management.

What are the implications of awarding this contract via a BPA Call rather than a direct solicitation?

Awarding this contract via a BPA Call suggests that the Department of Education had a pre-existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) in place with one or more vendors, likely through a prior competitive process. A BPA is a simplified acquisition method that allows agencies to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services. Using a BPA Call streamlines the procurement process for this specific training requirement, potentially leading to faster award times and reduced administrative burden compared to a full, new solicitation. It implies that the terms, conditions, and pricing structure were already established under the parent BPA, and this call represents a specific task order against that agreement.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2200 W PARKWAY BLVD, WEST VALLEY CITY, UT, 84119

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,502

Exercised Options: $5,502

Current Obligation: $5,502

Actual Outlays: $5,502

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 91990020A0003

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline