NSF's $15.5M HRM Support Services contract with Your Recruiting Company, Inc. awarded in 2006

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,532,491 ($15.5M)

Contractor: Your Recruiting Company, Inc.

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2006-10-01

End Date: 2012-06-30

Contract Duration: 2,099 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.4K/day

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: HRM SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $15.5 million to YOUR RECRUITING COMPANY, INC. for work described as: HRM SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $15.5M over nearly 6 years suggests a moderate annual spend. 2. Time and Materials contract type can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 3. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential for overpayment. 4. Long duration of the contract (2099 months) is unusual and warrants clarification. 5. Focus on HRM support indicates a critical function for the agency's operations. 6. The contract's performance period spans a significant historical timeframe.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is difficult without more specific details on the services provided and the number of personnel involved. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while common for certain types of services, can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if not carefully monitored. Comparing this to similar HRM support contracts across federal agencies would be necessary to determine if the $15.5M expenditure represents a fair price for the services rendered over its duration. The lack of competition further complicates a robust value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning Your Recruiting Company, Inc. was the only vendor considered. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves soliciting proposals from multiple interested parties. While sole-source awards are permissible under specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent needs), they generally result in less price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government compared to fully competed contracts. The absence of competition limits the government's ability to negotiate the best possible terms and pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there was no opportunity to benefit from competitive pricing, potentially leading to a higher overall cost for the HRM support services.

Public Impact

The National Science Foundation (NSF) benefits from continuous HRM support, ensuring efficient personnel management. Services likely include recruitment, onboarding, HR policy support, and employee relations assistance. The geographic impact is primarily within the NSF's operational locations, likely Washington D.C. metro area. Workforce implications include support for NSF's federal employees and potentially contractors. The contract ensures the smooth functioning of HR operations, indirectly supporting scientific research funding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Time and Materials contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns.
Unusually long contract duration (2099 months) requires further investigation into its validity and purpose.
Lack of detailed service scope makes it hard to assess performance against expectations.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a core operational need for HRM support.
Long-term award suggests a stable, ongoing relationship for critical services.
Award to a specific company implies a potentially established and satisfactory performance history.

Sector Analysis

The Human Resources Management (HRM) support services sector within the federal government encompasses a wide range of activities, from recruitment and payroll to benefits administration and employee relations. Agencies often rely on specialized contractors to supplement their internal HR capabilities, particularly for complex or high-volume tasks. Spending in this area can fluctuate based on agency size, hiring needs, and the extent to which HR functions are outsourced. Benchmarking this $15.5M contract would require comparing it to similar HRM support contracts awarded by agencies of comparable size and mission.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication from the provided data that this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. As a sole-source award, it is less likely to have been structured to specifically benefit small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any portion of the work was subcontracted and if small businesses were involved in that capacity.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Science Foundation's contracting officers and program managers. As a sole-source award, it may have undergone specific justification and approval processes. Transparency regarding the specific services rendered and performance metrics would depend on NSF's internal policies and public reporting practices. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse were identified.

Related Government Programs

Federal HR Consulting Services
Professional and Management Support Services
Staff Augmentation Contracts
Recruitment Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Unusual contract duration (2099 months) requires verification.
Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing pressure.
Time and Materials contract type poses cost overrun risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $15.5 million to YOUR RECRUITING COMPANY, INC.. HRM SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is YOUR RECRUITING COMPANY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-10-01. End: 2012-06-30.

What specific HRM services were provided under this contract, and what was the justification for a sole-source award?

The provided data indicates the contract was for 'HRM SUPPORT SERVICES' but does not detail the specific services. A sole-source award typically requires a justification, such as the unique capability of the contractor, a critical need that cannot be met by other sources, or a follow-on to a previous contract where only one source could be identified. Without the contract's statement of work and the sole-source justification documentation, it is impossible to ascertain the precise services or the rationale behind bypassing competition. This information is crucial for understanding the value and necessity of the expenditure.

How does the $15.5M contract value compare to similar HRM support services contracts awarded by the NSF or other agencies of similar size?

Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the specific services, duration, and number of personnel funded by this $15.5M contract. However, for a contract spanning nearly six years (2006-2012), the average annual spend would be approximately $2.6 million. This figure needs to be contextualized by the size and complexity of the NSF's HR needs. Benchmarking against other federal agencies' HRM support contracts would reveal if this represents a typical or outlier expenditure. Factors like the inclusion of specialized recruitment, HR system support, or policy development would significantly influence cost.

What were the performance metrics and outcomes for Your Recruiting Company, Inc. under this contract?

The provided data does not include performance metrics or outcomes for this contract. Typically, federal contracts include a Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW) that outlines deliverables and performance standards. Contract Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) reports, if available, would offer insights into the contractor's performance history, including ratings on technical quality, cost control, schedule, and management. Without access to these performance records, it's difficult to assess the effectiveness and quality of the HRM support provided by Your Recruiting Company, Inc.

What is the significance of the contract duration being listed as 2099 months?

The listed contract duration of 2099 months (approximately 175 years) is highly unusual and likely an error in data entry or system representation. Federal contracts typically have durations measured in years, often with options for extension, but rarely exceeding 5-10 years for service contracts unless it's a very specific type of long-term agreement. This figure warrants immediate investigation to determine the actual contract end date and the reason for this discrepancy. It could be a data corruption issue or a misunderstanding of how contract duration is recorded in the system.

What is the track record of Your Recruiting Company, Inc. in performing federal HRM support services?

The data shows Your Recruiting Company, Inc. was awarded this $15.5M sole-source contract by the National Science Foundation. To assess their track record, one would need to examine other federal contracts awarded to this company, their performance history on those contracts (e.g., via CPARS), and any past performance issues or commendations. The fact that NSF awarded them a sole-source contract suggests they may have possessed specific qualifications or a prior relationship that led to this determination. However, a comprehensive review of their federal contracting history is necessary for a full assessment.

Contractor Details

Address: 3877 FAIRFAX RIDGE RD STE 300C, FAIRFAX, VA, 11

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,792,420

Exercised Options: $15,532,491

Current Obligation: $15,532,491

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02F0050N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline