Interior Department's $18.4M Child Welfare Project Awarded to JBS International Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,358,097 ($18.4M)

Contractor: JBS International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2007-09-20

End Date: 2009-09-26

Contract Duration: 737 days

Daily Burn Rate: $24.9K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPPORT FOR CHILD WELFARE REVIEW PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $18.4 million to JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: SUPPORT FOR CHILD WELFARE REVIEW PROJECT Key points: 1. The contract's value of $18.4 million for administrative management consulting services appears substantial for a two-year project. 2. Competition dynamics are unclear as the contract type is listed as 'TIME AND MATERIALS' with no indication of bidding process. 3. The duration of 737 days (approximately two years) suggests a focused scope for the child welfare review. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to a standard consulting service offering. 5. The award was made to JBS International, Inc., a contractor with a history of federal engagements. 6. The project's focus on child welfare review indicates a specialized area within public administration consulting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $18.4 million for a two-year child welfare review project requires further benchmarking against similar consulting engagements. Without comparative data on the scope and deliverables of other child welfare review projects, assessing value for money is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common, can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The absence of a specific ceiling price or detailed cost breakdown makes it difficult to ascertain if the pricing is competitive or represents a fair market value for the services rendered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The provided data does not specify the procurement method used for this contract, leaving the level of competition unknown. It is unclear whether this was a full and open competition, a limited competition, or a sole-source award. Without this information, it's impossible to assess the number of bidders or the implications for price discovery and potential cost savings for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of transparency regarding the competition level means taxpayers cannot be assured that the government secured the best possible price for these consulting services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries of this contract are likely the Department of the Interior's child welfare programs, aiming for improved review processes and outcomes. The services delivered involve administrative management and general management consulting, specifically focused on reviewing child welfare practices. The geographic impact is likely national, given the federal nature of the Department of the Interior's responsibilities, though specific regional focuses are not detailed. The contract may have implications for the workforce within the Department of the Interior by potentially informing policy changes or operational adjustments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency in the procurement process hinders assessment of competition and potential value.
Time and Materials contract type carries inherent risks of cost escalation without a fixed ceiling.
The specific deliverables and success metrics for the 'child welfare review' are not detailed, making performance evaluation difficult.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a critical area of public service: child welfare.
The award is to an established contractor, JBS International, Inc., suggesting some level of confidence in their capabilities.
The project has a defined duration, implying a focused effort and timeline for completion.

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 service providers, from large multinational corporations to specialized small businesses. Federal spending in this category is significant, supporting various government functions from policy analysis to operational efficiency improvements. Benchmarking this specific contract's value against the broader market requires detailed analysis of the scope of 'child welfare review' projects.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and does not specify any small business subcontracting requirements (ss: false). Therefore, this award does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides. The prime contractor, JBS International, Inc., would be responsible for any subcontracting decisions, and their approach to engaging small businesses is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Standard federal contracting oversight would typically involve contract officers, program managers, and potentially an Inspector General's office to ensure compliance and performance. Transparency regarding the project's progress, expenditures, and outcomes would be crucial for effective accountability, but the extent of public disclosure is not specified.

Related Government Programs

Child Welfare Services
Department of the Interior Consulting Contracts
Administrative Management Consulting
Federal Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition Data
Potential for Cost Overruns (T&M Contract)
Unclear Deliverables and Success Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $18.4 million to JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC.. SUPPORT FOR CHILD WELFARE REVIEW PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JBS INTERNATIONAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-20. End: 2009-09-26.

What is the track record of JBS International, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in the area of child welfare or administrative consulting?

JBS International, Inc. has a history of securing federal contracts, primarily with agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Interior. Their portfolio often includes work related to public health, social services, and program evaluation. While specific details on their child welfare review projects require deeper investigation into contract databases, their general experience suggests a capacity to handle complex administrative and consulting tasks for government agencies. Analyzing past performance on similar contracts, including client satisfaction and adherence to timelines and budgets, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability.

How does the $18.4 million contract value compare to similar federal contracts for child welfare review projects?

Comparing the $18.4 million contract value for this two-year child welfare review project requires access to a broader dataset of similar federal procurements. Without specific details on the scope, deliverables, and duration of comparable contracts, a direct value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, for large-scale, multi-year consulting engagements focused on policy review and administrative management within federal agencies, this figure is within a plausible range. Factors influencing cost include the complexity of the child welfare system being reviewed, the number of stakeholders involved, the required depth of analysis, and the specific expertise JBS International, Inc. is contracted to provide. Further analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes (541611) and service descriptions.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for administrative consulting services?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, such as the one awarded to JBS International, Inc., is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not rigorously monitored. For the government, the risk is that the total cost could exceed initial estimates if the scope is not well-defined or if project management is insufficient. Effective oversight, clear task orders, and regular progress reviews are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the project stays within budget and achieves its objectives.

What specific outcomes or improvements are expected from the 'SUPPORT FOR CHILD WELFARE REVIEW PROJECT'?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SUPPORT FOR CHILD WELFARE REVIEW PROJECT' but does not detail the specific expected outcomes or improvements. Typically, such a project would aim to assess the effectiveness of current child welfare policies and procedures, identify areas for improvement, recommend strategic changes, and potentially enhance service delivery. Expected deliverables might include comprehensive review reports, policy recommendations, best practice guidelines, and implementation strategies. The success of the project would likely be measured by the clarity and actionability of its findings and recommendations, and ultimately, by any positive impact on child welfare outcomes resulting from implemented changes.

How has federal spending on administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) trended in recent years?

Federal spending on administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) has generally shown an upward trend over the past decade, reflecting the government's reliance on external expertise to improve efficiency, manage complex programs, and adapt to evolving policy landscapes. Agencies across various departments frequently procure these services for tasks ranging from strategic planning and organizational restructuring to IT management consulting and program evaluation. Factors driving this spending include the increasing complexity of government operations, the need for specialized skills not always available in-house, and efforts to modernize government functions. While specific year-over-year fluctuations occur, the overall demand for these consulting services remains robust.

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

Contractor Details

Address: 8630 FENTON ST STE 1200, SILVER SPRING, MD, 08

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,562,154

Exercised Options: $18,358,097

Current Obligation: $18,358,097

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0285K

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline