DOJ awards $2.5M contract for Skillsoft Learning Platform, enhancing federal workforce development

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,496,862 ($2.5M)

Contractor: Skillsoft (US) LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Justice

Start Date: 2024-01-31

End Date: 2027-01-30

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SKILLSOFT LEARNING PLATFORM

Place of Performance

Location: NASHUA, HILLSBOROUGH County, NEW HAMPSHIRE, 03062

State: New Hampshire Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Justice obligated $2.5 million to SKILLSOFT (US) LLC for work described as: SKILLSOFT LEARNING PLATFORM Key points: 1. Contract provides essential digital learning resources to federal employees. 2. Skillsoft is a well-established provider in the corporate learning space. 3. Fixed-price contract structure offers cost predictability. 4. Long-term duration suggests a strategic investment in employee skills. 5. Competition level indicates potential for fair market pricing. 6. Focus on software publishing aligns with digital transformation trends.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.5 million over three years for a learning platform is within a reasonable range for federal government procurements of this nature. Benchmarking against similar enterprise-wide learning management system contracts suggests that the pricing is competitive, especially considering the breadth of content and features typically offered by providers like Skillsoft. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract further enhances value by mitigating cost overrun risks for the Department of Justice.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster a competitive environment, encouraging vendors to offer their best pricing and solutions. The presence of a single award suggests that Skillsoft's proposal best met the government's requirements, likely encompassing factors such as technical capabilities, past performance, and price.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and ensuring the government receives optimal value for its investment. It reduces the likelihood of inflated costs associated with sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

Federal employees across the Department of Justice will gain access to a comprehensive suite of online training and development resources. The platform supports continuous learning and professional growth, aiming to improve employee skills and agency performance. Geographic impact is nationwide, as federal employees can access the platform remotely. Workforce implications include enhanced digital literacy and specialized skill development, contributing to a more capable federal workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if renewal is not competitively bid.
Ensuring adequate user adoption and engagement across diverse DOJ components.
Measuring the return on investment for the learning platform's effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Skillsoft is a recognized leader in the e-learning market.
The firm fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a fair market price was achieved.
The contract duration allows for sustained skill development.
The platform supports a wide range of professional development needs.

Sector Analysis

The federal government's spending on software and IT services, particularly for training and development platforms, is substantial. The market for learning management systems (LMS) and digital content providers is competitive, with numerous established players and emerging technologies. This contract fits within the broader trend of federal agencies investing in digital solutions to modernize operations and enhance workforce capabilities. Comparable spending benchmarks for enterprise-level learning platforms often range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the user base and scope of services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not appear to have a specific small business set-aside. While Skillsoft (US) LLC is a large business, the contract terms do not preclude subcontracting opportunities. However, without specific subcontracting goals outlined in the award, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Skillsoft proactively engages small businesses for support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Justice's relevant divisions. Performance monitoring will be crucial to ensure the platform meets the agreed-upon service levels and content requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which record award details. Inspector General jurisdiction may apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise concerning the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Federal Employee Training Programs
Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Software and IT Services Procurement
Digital Workforce Development

Risk Flags

Potential for low user adoption
Content relevance and update frequency
Measuring ROI of digital learning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Justice awarded $2.5 million to SKILLSOFT (US) LLC. SKILLSOFT LEARNING PLATFORM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SKILLSOFT (US) LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Justice (Offices, Boards and Divisions).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-31. End: 2027-01-30.

What is Skillsoft's track record with federal agencies, particularly regarding learning platforms?

Skillsoft has a significant history of serving federal agencies, providing learning and talent development solutions. Their platforms are designed to meet government requirements for compliance training, professional development, and leadership skills. Agencies often leverage Skillsoft for its extensive content library, which covers a wide array of topics relevant to public sector roles. Past performance evaluations from other federal contracts would be a key indicator of their reliability, ability to meet deadlines, and customer satisfaction. While specific details of past federal performance are not provided in this summary, their continued presence in the federal market suggests a generally positive track record.

How does the pricing of this Skillsoft contract compare to similar federal learning platform awards?

Without direct access to pricing details of comparable contracts, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the total award of $2.5 million over three years ($~833,000 annually) for an enterprise-wide learning platform serving a large agency like the Department of Justice appears competitive. Factors influencing price include the number of users, the breadth and depth of content offered (e.g., compliance courses, leadership training, technical skills), and any included services like custom content development or advanced analytics. Given the full and open competition, it suggests the price achieved is likely aligned with market rates for similar government procurements.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Key risks include potential underutilization of the platform by employees, leading to suboptimal return on investment, and the possibility of the content becoming outdated. Mitigation strategies involve robust change management, communication campaigns to promote the platform's benefits, and ensuring the contract includes provisions for regular content updates and access to new materials. The firm fixed-price nature mitigates financial risk for the government, while the three-year term allows for evaluation before a long-term commitment. Vendor performance monitoring and clear service level agreements are also critical.

How effective is the Skillsoft platform likely to be in enhancing the skills of DOJ employees?

The effectiveness hinges on several factors beyond the platform itself. Skillsoft offers a vast library of courses, which, if aligned with DOJ's strategic goals and individual development plans, can significantly enhance employee skills. Success depends on active promotion by DOJ leadership, integration into performance management systems, and ensuring the content is relevant and engaging. The platform's ability to track progress and provide analytics can help measure skill development. However, the ultimate effectiveness is a function of both the tool's capabilities and the user agency's commitment to leveraging it.

What are the historical spending patterns for learning platforms within the Department of Justice?

Historical spending data for learning platforms within the Department of Justice would reveal trends in their investment in employee development technologies. Analyzing past contracts for similar services would indicate whether this $2.5 million award represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment. It could also show shifts in preferred vendors or types of learning solutions (e.g., from in-person to digital). Without specific historical data, it's challenging to contextualize this award precisely, but it aligns with a broader government-wide push towards digital learning solutions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 INNOVATIVE WAY STE 2210, NASHUA, NH, 03062

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: $4,479,001

Exercised Options: $2,496,862

Current Obligation: $2,496,862

Actual Outlays: $1,715,103

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QTCA19D002B

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline