OPM's HR Initiative Program administrative support contract awarded to Whitney Bradley & Brown, Inc. for over $36.9M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $36,942,818 ($36.9M)

Contractor: Whitney Bradley & Brown, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Office of Personnel Management

Start Date: 2009-07-15

End Date: 2016-06-07

Contract Duration: 2,519 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.7K/day

Sector: Other

Official Description: ADMINISTRATIVE AND LIFE CYCLE SUPPORT FOR OPM'S ENTERPRISE HUMAN RESOURCES INITIATIVE PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20415

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Office of Personnel Management obligated $36.9 million to WHITNEY BRADLEY & BROWN, INC. for work described as: ADMINISTRATIVE AND LIFE CYCLE SUPPORT FOR OPM'S ENTERPRISE HUMAN RESOURCES INITIATIVE PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract provided administrative and life cycle support for OPM's Enterprise Human Resources Initiative Program. 2. The total value of the contract was approximately $36.9 million over its duration. 3. The contract was awarded to Whitney Bradley & Brown, Inc., a consulting firm. 4. The contract spanned from July 2009 to June 2016, a period of nearly seven years. 5. The primary service category was Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 6. The contract was a BPA Call, indicating it was likely part of a larger agreement. 7. The contract was not set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of over $36.9 million for administrative and life cycle support over seven years suggests a significant investment in managing OPM's HR initiatives. Benchmarking this against similar large-scale administrative support contracts for federal HR programs would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. Without specific performance metrics or comparison data, it's difficult to definitively assess if the pricing was competitive or if the value delivered was excellent. The duration of the contract also implies a need for consistent support, but the lack of detailed performance data makes a definitive value judgment challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract type is listed as 'BPA CALL', which suggests it was likely issued under a Blanket Purchase Agreement. The specific competition details for this call order are not provided in the data. Typically, BPA calls can be competed among pre-qualified vendors or awarded based on pre-negotiated terms. The absence of information on the number of bidders or the solicitation method makes it impossible to assess the level of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition directly impacts taxpayer value. Limited or unknown competition can lead to higher prices and reduced innovation, as contractors may face less pressure to offer the most cost-effective solutions.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary of this contract was the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which received administrative and life cycle support for its Enterprise Human Resources Initiative Program. The services delivered included essential administrative functions and program lifecycle management, crucial for the effective operation of OPM's HR initiatives. The geographic impact was primarily within the District of Columbia, where OPM is headquartered. The contract supported the workforce within OPM by ensuring the smooth operation of HR programs, indirectly benefiting federal employees by facilitating HR processes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the support provided.
The 'unknown' competition level raises concerns about potential overpayment or lack of competitive pricing.
The long duration of the contract (nearly 7 years) could indicate a lack of flexibility or potential for vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.

Positive Signals

The contract provided consistent administrative and life cycle support, ensuring continuity for OPM's HR initiatives.
The award to a single contractor suggests a potentially streamlined management process for OPM.
The contract's focus on HR initiatives indicates support for critical government functions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on administrative and management consulting. This sector is vital for government operations, providing expertise and support that agencies may not possess internally. The market for such services is large and competitive, with numerous firms offering a wide range of capabilities. The value of this contract, while significant, is within the range of large-scale support services often procured by federal agencies for major programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This means the contract was likely competed on the open market or awarded to a large business. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or their impact on the small business ecosystem. Without specific subcontracting requirements, it's difficult to assess the extent to which small businesses may have benefited indirectly.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the Blanket Purchase Agreement Call (BPA Call) and any associated performance work statements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is made public. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.

Related Government Programs

OPM Enterprise Human Resources Initiative Program
Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)

Risk Flags

Unknown competition level may impact value for money.
Lack of detailed performance metrics hinders effectiveness assessment.
Long contract duration could indicate potential for vendor lock-in.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Office of Personnel Management awarded $36.9 million to WHITNEY BRADLEY & BROWN, INC.. ADMINISTRATIVE AND LIFE CYCLE SUPPORT FOR OPM'S ENTERPRISE HUMAN RESOURCES INITIATIVE PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WHITNEY BRADLEY & BROWN, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Office of Personnel Management (Office of Personnel Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $36.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-07-15. End: 2016-06-07.

What was the specific nature of the 'Enterprise Human Resources Initiative Program' supported by this contract?

The 'Enterprise Human Resources Initiative Program' at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was likely a strategic effort to modernize, streamline, or enhance the human resources functions across the federal government. Such initiatives often involve implementing new HR technologies, standardizing HR policies and procedures, improving data management, and enhancing employee services. The administrative and life cycle support provided under this contract would have been crucial for managing the various projects, tasks, and operational aspects of this broad program, ensuring its continuity and effective execution over its lifespan.

How does the $36.9 million contract value compare to similar administrative support contracts for federal HR initiatives?

Comparing the $36.9 million contract value requires access to a broader dataset of similar federal HR administrative support contracts. However, for a program spanning nearly seven years, this figure suggests a substantial and ongoing need for support. Large-scale HR modernization or management programs within federal agencies often require significant investment in administrative and consulting services. Without specific benchmarks for comparable programs (e.g., size of agency, scope of HR initiatives), it's challenging to definitively state if this represents high or low spending. Further analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar objectives, durations, and agency sizes to establish a more accurate comparison.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. Typically, administrative and life cycle support contracts would include metrics related to timely completion of administrative tasks, accuracy of reporting, adherence to program milestones, effective project management, and potentially client satisfaction. For an HR initiative program, KPIs might also relate to the efficiency of HR processes supported, user adoption of new systems, or the successful implementation of HR policies. A thorough review of the original contract statement of work (SOW) or performance work statement (PWS) would be necessary to identify these specific metrics.

What is the track record of Whitney Bradley & Brown, Inc. in supporting federal HR or administrative programs?

Whitney, Bradley & Brown, Inc. (WBB) has a history of providing professional services, including management consulting, to government and commercial clients. While specific details on their track record with federal HR initiatives are not in the provided data snippet, WBB's general expertise often lies in areas such as strategy, operations, and technology implementation. Their ability to secure and execute a contract of this magnitude for OPM suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to manage complex administrative and program support functions within the federal government. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal more about their specific performance in similar roles.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with the execution of this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list risks or challenges encountered during the execution of this contract. However, potential risks inherent in long-term administrative support contracts for large government programs often include scope creep, changes in agency priorities, contractor performance issues, or difficulties in adapting to evolving technological or regulatory environments. The 'fair' rating for value assessment suggests that while the contract was likely executed, there may be questions about optimal value or efficiency. Without specific post-award reviews or IG reports, identifying concrete risks is speculative.

How has OPM's spending on administrative and HR support evolved since the completion of this contract in 2016?

Assessing OPM's spending evolution post-2016 requires analyzing subsequent contract awards for similar administrative and HR support services. This contract concluded in June 2016. To understand the trend, one would need to examine OPM's spending patterns in subsequent fiscal years, looking for contracts with comparable objectives, such as HR modernization, HR system support, or general administrative services. Analyzing the number, value, and duration of these later contracts would indicate whether OPM has continued similar levels of investment, shifted its approach, or reduced its reliance on external support for its HR initiatives.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Contractor Details

Address: 11790 SUNRISE VALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $82,598,327

Exercised Options: $40,587,897

Current Obligation: $36,942,818

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: OPMBPA490900002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline