YouthBuild Program Contract: $18.5M Spent on Consulting Over 8 Years
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,464,884 ($18.5M)
Contractor: Mdrc
Awarding Agency: Department of Labor
Start Date: 2010-06-30
End Date: 2018-06-29
Contract Duration: 2,921 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK County, NEW YORK, 10016
State: New York Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Labor obligated $18.5 million to MDRC for work described as: EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract awarded $18.5 million for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was long (8 years), potentially impacting cost-effectiveness and adaptability. 4. The program's sector is employment and training, focusing on youth development.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $18.5 million over 8 years for consulting services appears substantial. Benchmarking against similar long-term, broad-scope consulting contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which generally promotes competitive pricing. However, the long duration and broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' might have limited the number of highly specialized bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: The significant expenditure over nearly a decade represents a considerable investment of taxpayer funds, the ultimate value of which depends on the program's outcomes.
Public Impact
Impact on youth employment and training outcomes. Effectiveness of administrative and management consulting in program delivery. Long-term sustainability and scalability of the YouthBuild model. Potential for replication in other regions or programs. Efficiency of resource allocation within the program.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Long contract duration (8 years) may lead to complacency or outdated strategies.
- Broad service description ('Administrative Management and General Management Consulting') lacks specificity, making performance evaluation challenging.
- Time and Materials pricing structure can incentivize longer engagements rather than efficiency.
- Lack of stated small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition suggests an effort to secure competitive pricing.
- The program addresses a critical need for youth employment and training.
- The contract was awarded to a single entity (MDRC), potentially indicating specialized expertise.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the scope and duration of services. This contract represents a significant, long-term investment in program management and support.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a stated requirement or outcome for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the focus was not on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The long duration of the contract and the broad nature of the services provided warrant robust oversight to ensure accountability and effective use of funds. Regular performance reviews and clear deliverables would be crucial.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Labor Contracting
- Employment and Training Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Long contract duration (8 years).
- Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Broad and potentially vague service description.
- Lack of explicit small business participation.
- Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
- Difficulty in directly measuring ROI of consulting services.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-labor, ny, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Labor awarded $18.5 million to MDRC. EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF THE YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MDRC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $18.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-06-30. End: 2018-06-29.
What specific outcomes were achieved by the YouthBuild program during this contract period, and how were these outcomes attributed to the consulting services provided?
The provided data does not detail specific program outcomes or directly link them to the consulting services. A thorough evaluation would require analyzing program performance metrics, participant success rates (e.g., job placement, skill attainment), and qualitative assessments of how the administrative and management consulting contributed to achieving these goals.
Given the Time and Materials pricing structure and the 8-year duration, what measures were in place to control costs and ensure efficiency?
The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, especially over a long period, carries inherent risks of cost overruns and reduced efficiency. Without specific details on oversight mechanisms, such as capped hours, fixed-fee milestones, or performance-based incentives, it's difficult to assess cost control effectiveness. Robust monitoring by the agency would be essential.
How did the 'full and open competition' process ensure the selection of the most effective and cost-efficient consulting services for the YouthBuild program?
Full and open competition theoretically allows any qualified vendor to bid, fostering a competitive environment that can drive down prices and improve service quality. However, the effectiveness depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria used, and the actual number and caliber of bids received. The long duration and broad scope might have influenced the applicant pool.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 16 E 34TH ST FL 19, NEW YORK, NY, 10016
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $22,863,973
Exercised Options: $21,144,373
Current Obligation: $18,464,884
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-06-30
Current End Date: 2018-06-29
Potential End Date: 2018-06-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2020-04-24
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