DITAP Training Program Awarded $3.15M for Digital Services Acquisition Expertise
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,153,232 ($3.2M)
Contractor: Civicactions, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-09-01
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 394 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: THE DIGITAL IT ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS (DITAP) TRAINING PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO TRAIN FEDERAL ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS ON THE BEST PRACTICES FOR ACQUIRING DIGITAL SERVICES SUCH AS AGILE DEVELOPMENT. IT IS MAINTAINED BY THE UNITED STATES DIGITAL SER
Place of Performance
Location: LAFAYETTE, CONTRA COSTA County, CALIFORNIA, 94549
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $3.2 million to CIVICACTIONS, INC. for work described as: THE DIGITAL IT ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS (DITAP) TRAINING PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO TRAIN FEDERAL ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS ON THE BEST PRACTICES FOR ACQUIRING DIGITAL SERVICES SUCH AS AGILE DEVELOPMENT. IT IS MAINTAINED BY THE UNITED STATES DIGITAL SER Key points: 1. Focuses on critical digital service acquisition best practices, including Agile. 2. Awarded to Civicactions, Inc. under a full and open competition. 3. Potential risk in limited vendor pool for specialized digital training. 4. IT sector spending on professional development and training.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $3.15M for a 13-month period appears reasonable for specialized digital acquisition training. Benchmarking against similar professional development contracts for federal IT acquisition specialists would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded using full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle is a common procurement method.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being invested in enhancing federal acquisition capabilities for digital services, aiming for more efficient and effective IT procurement.
Public Impact
Enhances federal workforce skills in acquiring modern digital services. Promotes best practices like Agile development in government IT projects. Aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal IT spending.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 80 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited data on specific training outcomes and impact.
- Potential for vendor lock-in if DITAP becomes the sole standard.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for digital acquisition expertise.
- Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
- Invests in federal employee development.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT professional services sector, specifically focusing on training for acquisition professionals. Spending in this area is crucial for modernizing government IT capabilities and ensuring effective use of taxpayer dollars.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had an opportunity to compete or if subcontracting opportunities exist.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Interior's Departmental Offices. Oversight would involve monitoring training delivery, participant feedback, and the application of learned skills in subsequent acquisition processes.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
- Potential for vendor dependency.
- Limited visibility into small business participation.
- Need for ongoing curriculum updates to match evolving tech.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-the-interior, ca, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $3.2 million to CIVICACTIONS, INC.. THE DIGITAL IT ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS (DITAP) TRAINING PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO TRAIN FEDERAL ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS ON THE BEST PRACTICES FOR ACQUIRING DIGITAL SERVICES SUCH AS AGILE DEVELOPMENT. IT IS MAINTAINED BY THE UNITED STATES DIGITAL SER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CIVICACTIONS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-01. End: 2025-09-30.
What is the measurable impact of the DITAP program on the success rate of digital service acquisitions?
Measuring the direct impact requires tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) for acquisitions managed by DITAP-trained professionals. This could include metrics like project completion rates, adherence to budget, user satisfaction, and the adoption of Agile methodologies. Without specific outcome data, the program's effectiveness remains qualitative.
What are the risks associated with relying on a single training program like DITAP for federal digital acquisition expertise?
Over-reliance on a single program like DITAP could lead to a lack of diverse perspectives and potentially outdated methodologies if the program doesn't adapt quickly. It also poses a risk if the program's quality declines or if the vendor faces operational issues, potentially creating a bottleneck for developing essential federal skills.
How does the cost of the DITAP program compare to alternative methods for developing digital acquisition skills within the federal government?
Benchmarking the DITAP program's cost against other training providers, internal development programs, or university courses is essential. Factors like curriculum depth, instructor expertise, duration, and certification value should be considered. A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis is needed to determine if DITAP offers superior value for the investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related 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
Solicitation ID: 140D0424Q0673
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3470 SHANGRI LA RD, LAFAYETTE, CA, 94549
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,153,232
Exercised Options: $3,153,232
Current Obligation: $3,153,232
Actual Outlays: $3,153,232
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS35F337BA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-01
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-08
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