State Department awards $258K sole-source contract to Inveris Training Solutions for targeting system maintenance

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,775 ($25.8K)

Contractor: Inveris Training Solutions, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2025-12-23

End Date: 2026-12-22

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $71/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO INITIATE A NEW PURCHASE ORDER FOR INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS CONTRACT FOR MAINTENANCE OF TARGETING SYSTEM.

Place of Performance

Location: SUWANEE, GWINNETT County, GEORGIA, 30024

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $25,775 to INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO INITIATE A NEW PURCHASE ORDER FOR INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS CONTRACT FOR MAINTENANCE OF TARGETING SYSTEM. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about competition and potential value. 2. Maintenance of a targeting system suggests a critical but potentially niche requirement. 3. The fixed-price contract structure aims to control costs, but the lack of competition limits price discovery. 4. Performance period of one year with an option for extension indicates a short-term need. 5. The award to Inveris Training Solutions warrants examination of their past performance and pricing. 6. Small business participation is not explicitly mentioned, requiring further investigation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $257,750 for one year of maintenance is difficult to benchmark without specific details on the targeting system and the scope of work. As a sole-source award, there is no direct comparison to other bids. The fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of competition means the government may not be achieving the best possible price. Further analysis would require understanding the market for this specific type of maintenance and Inveris's pricing relative to that market.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. This means that only one vendor, Inveris Training Solutions, Inc., was solicited for this requirement. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore alternative solutions or negotiate pricing with multiple providers, potentially leading to higher costs than if the contract had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Without a competitive process, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of State, which will receive maintenance services for its targeting system. This contract ensures the continued operational readiness of critical equipment used for state department operations. The geographic impact is likely limited to the locations where the targeting system is deployed and maintained. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a service contract likely performed by Inveris's existing staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Sole-source awards can indicate potential issues with market research or planning.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical system maintenance poses a risk if the vendor fails to perform.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract is for a defined period, allowing for future re-evaluation of needs.
Awarding to a specific company suggests prior experience or specialized knowledge.

Sector Analysis

The maintenance of targeting systems falls within the broader defense and security sector, specifically related to specialized equipment manufacturing and support services. This contract represents a small portion of overall government spending on defense-related services. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve contracts for the maintenance and support of similar sophisticated electronic and optical systems, often awarded to specialized defense contractors.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. Given the sole-source nature, it is unlikely that small businesses were considered as primary awardees unless Inveris Training Solutions, Inc. itself is a small business, which is not specified. Further investigation into Inveris's size status and any subcontracting opportunities would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are established through the contract terms and conditions, including performance standards and payment schedules. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature; however, contract award data is publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of State IT Services
Defense Maintenance and Support Services
Ordnance and Accessories Procurement
Specialized Equipment Maintenance Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of competitive bidding.
Dependency on a single contractor for critical system maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $25,775 to INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS REQUEST IS TO INITIATE A NEW PURCHASE ORDER FOR INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS CONTRACT FOR MAINTENANCE OF TARGETING SYSTEM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INVERIS TRAINING SOLUTIONS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25,775.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-12-23. End: 2026-12-22.

What is the specific targeting system being maintained, and what is the criticality of its function to the Department of State's operations?

The provided data does not specify the exact targeting system. However, the contract's purpose, 'MAINTENANCE OF TARGETING SYSTEM,' suggests it is a critical piece of equipment for the Department of State, likely related to security, intelligence gathering, or operational readiness. Targeting systems are typically sophisticated electronic or optical devices used to identify, track, and engage targets. Their maintenance is crucial to ensure reliability and accuracy, preventing mission failures or security breaches. The criticality can range from supporting diplomatic security operations to enabling specific intelligence functions, depending on the system's application within the department.

What is Inveris Training Solutions, Inc.'s track record with the Department of State and similar contracts?

The provided data indicates that Inveris Training Solutions, Inc. is the contractor for this specific purchase order. To assess their track record, a review of their past performance with the Department of State and other federal agencies would be necessary. This would involve examining previous contracts, their value, duration, and performance ratings. Specifically, looking for prior experience in maintaining targeting systems or similar complex electronic/optical equipment would be relevant. A history of successful contract completion, positive performance reviews, and adherence to delivery schedules would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, any past issues with performance, quality, or timeliness would raise concerns.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar targeting system maintenance services?

Benchmarking the pricing of this $257,750 contract against market rates is challenging without more specific information. As a sole-source award, there are no competing bids to provide a direct comparison. To assess value for money, one would need to research the typical costs associated with maintaining similar targeting systems in the defense or security sector. This would involve looking at industry reports, consulting with subject matter experts, and potentially reviewing publicly available data on comparable contracts awarded through competitive processes. Factors such as the complexity of the system, the required expertise, the scope of maintenance (e.g., preventative, corrective), and the geographic location of service delivery would influence market rates.

What are the risks associated with awarding a sole-source contract for critical system maintenance?

Awarding a sole-source contract for critical system maintenance carries several risks. Firstly, the absence of competition can lead to inflated prices, as the contractor faces no pressure to offer the most cost-effective solution. Secondly, it limits the government's ability to explore alternative technologies or service providers that might offer better value or performance. Thirdly, it creates a dependency on a single vendor, which can be problematic if the vendor experiences financial difficulties, goes out of business, or fails to meet performance expectations. This dependency can also hinder innovation and the adoption of newer, more efficient maintenance practices. Finally, sole-source awards can sometimes indicate a lack of adequate market research or strategic planning by the procuring agency.

What is the historical spending pattern for targeting system maintenance by the Department of State?

The provided data only pertains to this specific purchase order initiated for Inveris Training Solutions. To understand historical spending patterns for targeting system maintenance by the Department of State, a broader analysis of federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) would be required. This analysis would involve searching for contracts related to 'targeting systems,' 'maintenance,' and 'Department of State' over several fiscal years. Key metrics to examine would include the total annual spending, the number of contracts awarded, the types of systems maintained, the primary contractors, and the procurement methods used (competed vs. sole-source). This would reveal trends in spending, identify key vendors, and highlight any shifts in procurement strategies over time.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing › Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Parker-Hannifin Corporation

Address: 296 BROGDON RD, SUWANEE, GA, 30024

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,775

Exercised Options: $25,775

Current Obligation: $25,775

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline