Interior's USGS awards $321K contract for FGDC program management and technical support to Ardent Management Consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $321,081 ($321.1K)

Contractor: Ardent Management Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-03-31

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 395 days

Daily Burn Rate: $813/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE (FGDC) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22182

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $321,080.96 to ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE (FGDC) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for program management and technical support, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 3. The duration of the contract is 395 days, suggesting a medium-term engagement. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The awardee, Ardent Management Consulting, LLC, is a small business. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541519 covers 'Other Computer Related Services', aligning with technical support needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $321,080.96 for a 395-day period appears reasonable for specialized program management and technical support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT consulting and program management within federal agencies would provide a more precise value assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government when scope is well-defined, as it caps potential cost overruns.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and multiple responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific exclusion of sources is not detailed but implies a standard competitive process was followed. The number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a robust competition was intended.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best pricing.

Public Impact

The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) program benefits from enhanced management and technical support, potentially improving the coordination and accessibility of geospatial data. Federal agencies and the public relying on geospatial data will benefit from more efficient program operations. The contract supports the USGS's mission, contributing to the nation's understanding and management of its resources. Workforce implications are likely internal to the contractor, with Ardent Management Consulting, LLC providing the necessary personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if program requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical program support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Award to a small business supports federal small business contracting goals.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive environment that should drive value.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on program management and technical support for a government committee. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing IT consulting and program management contracts awarded by various federal agencies, particularly those with similar data management or technical coordination responsibilities.

Small Business Impact

Ardent Management Consulting, LLC is identified as a small business. The contract does not explicitly state it is a small business set-aside, but the award to a small business aligns with federal goals to support the small business ecosystem. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities are anticipated or required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) program officials responsible for the FGDC. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, with performance tied to payment. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed performance metrics are not disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Initiatives
Geospatial Data Infrastructure Programs
IT Program Management Support Services
Department of the Interior IT Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition if exclusion criteria were overly restrictive.
Performance risk associated with reliance on a single contractor for critical support.
Scope definition and management risk for program requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $321,080.96 to ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC. FEDERAL GEOGRAPHIC DATA COMMITTEE (FGDC) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $321,080.96.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-31. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the track record of Ardent Management Consulting, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal contract databases indicates that Ardent Management Consulting, LLC has a history of performing various IT and management consulting services for federal agencies. Specific details on past performance related to program management and technical support for committees or data initiatives would require a deeper dive into contract award histories and performance evaluations. Understanding their experience with the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) or similar geospatial data coordination efforts would be crucial for assessing their suitability for this specific contract. Past performance reviews and CPARS (Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System) data, if available, would provide valuable insights into their reliability, quality of work, and adherence to schedules and budgets on previous engagements.

How does the awarded value compare to market rates for similar program management and technical support services?

The awarded value of approximately $321,000 for a 395-day contract translates to a daily rate of roughly $813. This rate needs to be benchmarked against market data for program management and technical support professionals with relevant expertise in geospatial data and federal IT. Factors influencing market rates include the level of experience required, the specific technical skills needed, and the geographic location of service delivery. Without specific details on the skill mix and seniority of the personnel assigned by Ardent Management Consulting, a precise comparison is difficult. However, this daily rate should be compared against industry surveys and government-wide contract vehicles for similar professional services to determine if it represents good value for money.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will performance be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance measurement plan for this contract. Typically, for program management and technical support contracts, KPIs would focus on areas such as the successful execution of program milestones, the quality and timeliness of technical documentation and reports, effective stakeholder communication, adherence to project schedules, and the successful implementation of technical solutions. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) contracting officer and program managers will be responsible for monitoring contractor performance against the terms of the contract, likely through regular progress reports and potentially formal performance reviews. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that meeting defined deliverables and objectives is paramount.

What is the historical spending pattern for FGDC program management and technical support?

Analyzing historical spending for the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) program management and technical support is essential to contextualize this award. This would involve examining previous contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior or the FGDC itself for similar services over the past several fiscal years. Understanding the trend in spending—whether it has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable—can indicate shifts in program priorities or resource allocation. Comparing the current award amount to previous contract values for comparable services will help determine if this represents a significant change or is in line with historical investment. This analysis also helps identify the primary contractors historically involved in supporting the FGDC.

What are the potential risks associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type?

The award type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed in the provided data. Potential risks could arise if the exclusion criteria were overly restrictive, inadvertently limiting the pool of qualified bidders and potentially impacting the competitiveness of the pricing. It could also raise questions about fairness if the exclusion was not well-justified. However, if the exclusion was based on specific technical requirements or past performance criteria that were clearly defined and applied consistently, it could be a valid method to ensure the selection of highly qualified contractors. A thorough review of the justification for exclusion would be necessary to fully assess any associated risks.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5110 S YALE AVE STE 310, TULSA, OK, 74135

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $321,081

Exercised Options: $321,081

Current Obligation: $321,081

Actual Outlays: $267,567

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140G0120D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline