DOL awards $69.5M contract for technical and trade schools, utilizing full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,488,116 ($69.5M)

Contractor: Exceed, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Labor

Start Date: 2016-10-01

End Date: 2021-10-31

Contract Duration: 1,856 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20032

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Labor obligated $69.5 million to EXCEED, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF Key points: 1. Contract value of $69.5M over 5 years. 2. Utilized full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears moderate given the contract type and duration. 4. Spending is within the 'Other Technical and Trade Schools' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $69.5M over 1856 days (approx. 5 years) suggests a significant investment. Without specific per-unit cost data, a direct pricing comparison is difficult, but the duration and value indicate substantial service provision.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This method typically ensures a broad range of potential bidders are considered, leading to potentially better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

Provides essential training services for technical and trade skills. Supports workforce development initiatives within the Department of Labor. Impacts students and professionals seeking specialized education. Ensures the Department has access to necessary educational resources.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract type is Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF), which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Long contract duration (5 years) may limit flexibility to adapt to changing needs.
Exclusion of sources in the competition method warrants further review to ensure full market potential was explored.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder pool.
Contract aims to provide technical and trade school services, addressing a specific need.
Multiple task orders (4) indicate potential for varied service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Technical and Trade Schools' sector (NAICS 611519) encompasses institutions providing vocational and technical training. Spending benchmarks for this sector can vary widely based on the specific services and duration, but a $69.5M contract over five years represents a substantial investment in workforce development.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of Labor's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management. Oversight would typically involve program managers ensuring service delivery and financial compliance, with potential for IG reviews.

Related Government Programs

Other Technical and Trade Schools
Department of Labor Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to CPIF contract type.
Long contract duration may reduce adaptability.
Need to verify the justification for 'exclusion of sources' in competition.
Lack of specific performance metrics and outcomes in provided data.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Labor awarded $69.5 million to EXCEED, LLC. IGF::CT::IGF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EXCEED, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $69.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-10-01. End: 2021-10-31.

What specific technical and trade skills are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with current labor market demands?

The contract focuses on 'Other Technical and Trade Schools' (NAICS 611519). While the specific skills are not detailed, this category generally includes programs for fields like automotive repair, HVAC, culinary arts, cosmetology, and various skilled trades. Alignment with labor market demands would require analyzing the curriculum and placement rates for graduates, ensuring the training addresses identified workforce shortages and industry needs.

Given the Cost Plus Incentive Fee (CPIF) structure, what mechanisms are in place to control costs and ensure the government receives the best value?

CPIF contracts include target costs and fee structures that incentivize the contractor to meet or exceed performance goals while staying within budget. Effective oversight involves rigorous monitoring of costs, performance metrics, and incentive triggers. The Department of Labor would need robust reporting requirements and regular reviews to ensure the contractor is managing costs efficiently and achieving the desired outcomes without unnecessary expenditure.

How was the 'exclusion of sources' aspect of the full and open competition handled, and did it potentially limit the range of qualified bidders?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were initially excluded, possibly due to specific requirements or prior relationships. A thorough review would be needed to understand the justification for this exclusion and confirm that it did not unduly restrict competition or prevent potentially more competitive offers from being submitted. Transparency in this process is key.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Other Technical and Trade Schools

Product/Service Code: OPERATION OF GOVT OWNED FACILITY › OPERATE GOVT OWNED BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: DOL-ETA-14-R-00001

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: COST PLUS INCENTIVE FEE (V)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8100 PROFESSIONAL PL STE 211, HYATTSVILLE, MD, 20785

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $69,488,116

Exercised Options: $69,488,116

Current Obligation: $69,488,116

Actual Outlays: $34,304,428

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline