GAO awards $2.58M contract for learning support services to Serco Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,583,360 ($2.6M)
Contractor: Serco Inc
Awarding Agency: Government Accountability Office
Start Date: 2026-04-20
End Date: 2027-04-19
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: LEARNING CENTER - GAO SEEKS SUPPORT FROM A CONTRACTOR FOR BOTH ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE ASSISTANCE WITH LEARNING ASSESSMENT, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY, AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS SPECIFIC SUPPORT RELATED TO IT SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TRAINING.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20548
Plain-Language Summary
Government Accountability Office obligated $2.6 million to SERCO INC for work described as: LEARNING CENTER - GAO SEEKS SUPPORT FROM A CONTRACTOR FOR BOTH ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE ASSISTANCE WITH LEARNING ASSESSMENT, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY, AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS SPECIFIC SUPPORT RELATED TO IT SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TRAINING. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on comprehensive learning assessment, design, development, delivery, and evaluation. 2. Includes specialized IT software and hardware training support. 3. Awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-competed framework. 4. Contract duration is one year, with potential for extensions. 5. Geographic scope includes on-site and off-site assistance. 6. The contract value is modest, suggesting a focused scope of work.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.58 million for a one-year period appears reasonable for comprehensive learning support services, including IT training. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for educational support and IT training services would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. The labor hours pricing mechanism allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The use of a BPA Call implies that the underlying framework was already competed, and this specific call likely involved a competitive process among pre-qualified vendors. The level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensuring a fair market price.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for the services rendered, preventing potential overpricing.
Public Impact
GAO personnel will benefit from enhanced learning and IT training programs. Improved employee skills in areas of learning assessment, design, development, delivery, and IT. Services will support the Government Accountability Office's mission by ensuring a well-trained workforce. The contract supports the District of Columbia's local economy through service provision.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
- Reliance on labor hours can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
- Contract duration of one year provides a defined period for service delivery.
- Inclusion of IT training addresses critical skill needs within the agency.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader professional services sector, specifically focusing on educational support and IT training. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is a significant consumer of these services to maintain its workforce's capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar educational and IT training contracts within federal agencies can range widely based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it is possible that small businesses participated in the bidding process. However, without explicit set-aside provisions, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not guaranteed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will likely be managed by the Government Accountability Office's contracting and program officials. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, including performance standards and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific performance metrics may be internal.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Workforce Training Programs
- Government IT Support Services
- Educational Services Contracts
- GAO Learning and Development Initiatives
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to labor hour pricing.
- Ensuring up-to-date IT training content and instructor expertise.
- Managing scope creep in learning development and delivery.
Tags
educational-support, it-training, government-accountability-office, serco-inc, district-of-columbia, full-and-open-competition, bpa-call, labor-hours, professional-services, learning-assessment, it-software-hardware-training
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Government Accountability Office awarded $2.6 million to SERCO INC. LEARNING CENTER - GAO SEEKS SUPPORT FROM A CONTRACTOR FOR BOTH ON-SITE AND OFF-SITE ASSISTANCE WITH LEARNING ASSESSMENT, DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY, AND EVALUATION AS WELL AS SPECIFIC SUPPORT RELATED TO IT SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE TRAINING.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SERCO INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Government Accountability Office (GAO, Except Comptroller General).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2027-04-19.
What is Serco Inc.'s track record with the Government Accountability Office and similar federal agencies?
Serco Inc. has a history of performing various services for federal agencies, including IT support, operational support, and program management. While specific details of their past performance with GAO would require a deeper dive into contract databases, their presence as a large government contractor suggests experience in delivering services aligned with this contract's scope. Assessing their performance on similar educational support or IT training contracts with other agencies would provide further context on their capabilities and reliability in this specific domain. Past performance reviews and contract award histories are key indicators of their suitability for this role.
How does the $2.58 million contract value compare to similar learning support and IT training contracts awarded by federal agencies?
The $2.58 million contract value for a one-year term for comprehensive learning support and IT training is within a typical range for specialized federal services. However, direct comparisons are challenging without knowing the exact scope, number of personnel, and specific IT systems involved. Contracts for broader IT training or extensive learning management system development could easily exceed this amount. Conversely, smaller, more focused training initiatives might cost less. Benchmarking against contracts with similar agencies like the Department of Education or other oversight bodies for comparable services would offer a more precise value assessment.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the initial agreement, leading to cost overruns. Another risk is the effective delivery of specialized IT training, which requires up-to-date expertise. The reliance on labor hours also presents a risk if not managed efficiently. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by GAO, clear definition and monitoring of deliverables, performance metrics, and regular communication with Serco Inc. The use of a BPA Call may also imply that the vendor has been pre-vetted for capability, reducing some initial risks.
How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach for securing value in educational support services?
Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for federal agencies to secure the best value for services like educational support. It allows a wide range of qualified vendors to submit proposals, fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation. For educational support and IT training, this approach ensures that GAO can select a contractor with the most suitable expertise and cost-effective solution. The process, however, requires significant effort in proposal evaluation to ensure the chosen vendor truly offers the best combination of technical merit and price.
What is the historical spending pattern for educational support services at the Government Accountability Office?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for educational support services at GAO would provide context for the current $2.58 million award. If GAO has consistently spent similar amounts on these services annually, it suggests a stable demand and budget allocation. A significant increase or decrease in spending compared to previous years might indicate a change in program scope, strategic priorities, or market conditions. Understanding these patterns helps assess whether the current contract represents a continuation of established needs or a new initiative, and whether the pricing is consistent with past investments.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12930 WORLDGATE DR, HERNDON, VA, 20170
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,583,360
Exercised Options: $2,583,360
Current Obligation: $2,583,360
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 05GA0A24A0003
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-20
Current End Date: 2027-04-19
Potential End Date: 2027-04-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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