DOJ's $18.3M Agile Training Contract Awarded to Accenture Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,352,256 ($18.4M)

Contractor: Accenture Federal Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2022-06-27

End Date: 2025-08-01

Contract Duration: 1,131 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AGILE TRAINING

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $18.4 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: AGILE TRAINING Key points: 1. Contract focuses on administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. The contract duration spans over three years, indicating a sustained need for these services. 3. Accenture Federal Services, a large established firm, secured this contract. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. This award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle. 6. The contract is for Agile Training, a critical skill set in modern project management.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18.3 million over approximately three years for Agile Training services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar large-scale training and consulting contracts for federal agencies suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The Firm Fixed Price structure provides cost certainty for the government, although it relies on the contractor's accurate estimation of training delivery costs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This competitive process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally leads to more favorable pricing for taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of offers and driving down costs through market forces.

Public Impact

Federal employees, particularly within the FBI and potentially other DOJ components, will benefit from enhanced Agile training. The services delivered will improve project management methodologies and efficiency within the Department of Justice. The primary geographic impact is likely within Virginia, where the contract is managed, but training may extend to various DOJ locations. The contract supports the development of specialized skills within the federal workforce, potentially leading to better project outcomes.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if training becomes highly specialized to Accenture's proprietary methods.
Risk of cost overruns if training needs evolve beyond initial scope and require contract modifications.
Dependence on a single large contractor for a critical skill development area.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost predictability.
Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting competitive pricing.
Long-term contract duration indicates sustained government need and potential for deep expertise development.
Focus on Agile training aligns with modernizing government IT and project management practices.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management consulting and training. The federal market for IT training and consulting services is substantial, with agencies increasingly adopting Agile methodologies to improve project delivery and responsiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks for large federal training contracts often run into the tens of millions of dollars over several years, making this award consistent with market trends.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Accenture Federal Services LLC, a large business. There is no indication of a small business set-aside for this specific award. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The primary impact is on large system integrators and consulting firms capable of delivering comprehensive training solutions.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Justice, specifically the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified training within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award being publicly available, though detailed performance metrics are not provided.

Related Government Programs

Agile Coaching Services
IT Project Management Training
Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Grants Management Support
Professional Services Schedule (PSS) Contracts
Department of Justice IT Modernization Initiatives

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Dependence on a single large contractor
Scope creep risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $18.4 million to ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. AGILE TRAINING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ACCENTURE FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-27. End: 2025-08-01.

What is the historical spending pattern for Agile training within the Department of Justice?

Analyzing historical spending on Agile training within the Department of Justice (DOJ) is crucial for contextualizing the current $18.3 million award to Accenture Federal Services. While specific historical data for Agile training alone is not provided, the DOJ, like many large federal agencies, has been investing significantly in IT modernization and workforce development. This includes a growing emphasis on Agile methodologies to improve project delivery speed and adaptability. Previous contracts for broader IT consulting, project management, and training services likely encompassed Agile components. Understanding the trend of increasing investment in Agile skills over the past 5-10 years would indicate that this current contract aligns with a strategic push towards more efficient project execution. Without granular historical data, it's difficult to pinpoint exact year-over-year increases, but the overall federal push for Agile adoption suggests a sustained or growing budget allocation for such training.

How does the cost per participant for this Agile training compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining the precise cost per participant for this $18.3 million Agile training contract is challenging without knowing the total number of individuals to be trained, the duration of each training module, and the specific curriculum covered. However, we can make an informed comparison based on general industry benchmarks. Large federal training contracts for specialized skills like Agile often involve comprehensive programs that can range from $500 to $2,500 per participant for multi-day courses, depending on the level of certification, instructor expertise, and customization. If this contract aims to train several thousand federal employees over its duration, the average cost per participant could fall within this range. The Firm Fixed Price nature suggests the contractor has factored in these costs. A detailed analysis would require breaking down the contract value by the number of training sessions and estimated attendees to calculate a comparable per-person cost against market rates for similar government or commercial Agile certifications and workshops.

What is Accenture Federal Services' track record with similar large-scale federal training contracts?

Accenture Federal Services (AFS) has a well-established track record of delivering large-scale professional services, including training and IT consulting, to various federal agencies. They are a major player in the government contracting space, frequently winning significant awards for complex projects. While specific details on their past Agile training contracts for the DOJ are not provided here, AFS has historically been involved in large IT modernization efforts and workforce development programs across departments like Defense, Health and Human Services, and others. Their experience typically includes managing complex logistics, developing customized curricula, and providing certified instructors. Given their size and market position, it is highly probable that they have executed numerous similar training initiatives, demonstrating capability in managing budgets of this magnitude and delivering specialized skill development programs to federal workforces.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for Agile training?

Relying on a single vendor, such as Accenture Federal Services in this case, for Agile training presents several potential risks. Firstly, there's the risk of vendor lock-in, where the agency becomes overly dependent on the vendor's specific methodologies, tools, or instructors, making it difficult to switch providers or adopt alternative approaches in the future. Secondly, a lack of competition over the contract's lifespan could lead to complacency, potentially impacting the quality or relevance of the training offered if the vendor doesn't feel pressured to innovate or adapt. Thirdly, if the vendor experiences internal issues, such as staffing shortages or financial difficulties, it could disrupt the delivery of critical training services. Finally, without ongoing competitive pressure, the cost-effectiveness might diminish over time, even within a fixed-price contract, if the vendor's efficiency doesn't improve or if market rates decrease.

How does this contract contribute to the FBI's broader digital transformation or modernization goals?

This $18.3 million Agile training contract directly supports the FBI's broader digital transformation and modernization goals by equipping its workforce with essential skills for contemporary project management and software development. The FBI, like many law enforcement and intelligence agencies, faces increasing demands for rapid technological adaptation, data analysis, and efficient case management systems. Agile methodologies are fundamental to achieving these objectives, enabling faster development cycles, iterative improvements, and better alignment between IT solutions and operational needs. By investing in Agile training, the FBI aims to foster a culture of adaptability, improve collaboration between IT and operational units, and ultimately deliver more effective and timely technological solutions to support its mission. This contract is a key enabler for the cultural and process shifts required for successful modernization.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Novetta Solutions, LLC

Address: 800 N GLEBE RD STE 300, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

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: $27,711,829

Exercised Options: $18,362,305

Current Obligation: $18,352,256

Actual Outlays: $18,351,232

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $671,630

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA701420D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline