DoD's $28M contract for volunteer support technicians awarded to A-Team Solutions LLC shows fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $28,044,319 ($28.0M)

Contractor: A-Team Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2018-11-09

End Date: 2023-12-09

Contract Duration: 1,856 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VOLUNTEER SUPPORT TECHNICIAN - ESGR

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22350

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $28.0 million to A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: VOLUNTEER SUPPORT TECHNICIAN - ESGR Key points: 1. Contract value of $28M over 5 years suggests a steady demand for administrative support services. 2. The award to A-Team Solutions LLC indicates a competitive landscape for these specialized services. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type generally mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code points to a focus on operational efficiency. 5. The contract's duration of 1856 days (approx. 5 years) allows for sustained support and relationship building. 6. The exclusion of sources in the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests specific criteria were met, potentially impacting broader competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $28 million over five years averages to about $5.6 million annually. This figure appears reasonable for specialized administrative support services, especially considering the potential scope of supporting volunteer programs within the Department of Defense. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management consulting services suggests this pricing is within an expected range, though specific performance metrics would provide a clearer picture of value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while full and open competition was intended, certain sources were excluded. This suggests a specific set of requirements or pre-qualification criteria that narrowed the field of potential bidders. The presence of 12 bidders, as indicated by 'no': 12, shows a healthy level of interest despite the exclusion, implying that the competition, while not entirely unrestricted, was still robust enough to generate multiple offers.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even with 12 bidders, may have limited the potential for the absolute lowest price to be achieved. However, the significant number of bidders suggests that taxpayers likely still benefited from competitive pricing within the defined parameters of the competition.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Department of Defense personnel and programs that rely on volunteer support, enhancing morale and operational capacity. Services delivered include administrative management and general management consulting, aimed at optimizing the efficiency of volunteer programs. The geographic impact is likely nationwide, supporting various DoD installations and initiatives that utilize volunteer services. Workforce implications may include the provision of skilled technicians who augment existing military and civilian staff, allowing them to focus on core duties.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' could indicate a lack of transparency or potential for market distortion if the exclusion criteria were not clearly justified.
Without detailed performance metrics, it's difficult to fully assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided by A-Team Solutions LLC.
The specific nature of the excluded sources is not detailed, which could obscure potential conflicts of interest or missed opportunities for broader competition.

Positive Signals

The award to A-Team Solutions LLC, a single entity, suggests a focused and potentially specialized capability to meet the DoD's needs.
The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, protecting against unexpected price increases.
The substantial number of bidders (12) indicates a competitive market for these services, even with some exclusions.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, a broad category encompassing support for organizational efficiency and operational effectiveness. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The Department of Defense is a significant consumer of such services, often requiring tailored solutions to manage complex operations and support personnel. Benchmarking against similar contracts in this sector would involve comparing annual values and service scopes for administrative support within large government agencies.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses ('sb': false). Furthermore, there is no explicit mention of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best offer from the available pool of contractors, without a specific mandate to engage small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless A-Team Solutions LLC voluntarily includes them in their subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Defense Human Resources Activity. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though specific performance reporting details may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Human Resources Activity Support Services
DoD Volunteer Program Management
Administrative and Management Consulting Contracts
Federal Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Lack of detailed performance metrics to assess contractor effectiveness.
Absence of small business subcontracting requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $28.0 million to A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC. VOLUNTEER SUPPORT TECHNICIAN - ESGR

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is A-TEAM SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Human Resources Activity).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $28.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2018-11-09. End: 2023-12-09.

What is the track record of A-Team Solutions LLC in performing similar government contracts?

Information regarding A-Team Solutions LLC's specific track record with government contracts, particularly those similar in scope and value to this $28 million award, is not directly provided in the data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous federal awards. Without this, it's challenging to definitively gauge their experience and reliability in delivering administrative management and general management consulting services to the Department of Defense. Further research into federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be necessary to establish a detailed understanding of their capabilities and history.

How does the annual value of this contract compare to similar administrative support contracts within the DoD?

The annual value of this contract, averaging approximately $5.6 million ($28M / 5 years), appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized administrative support services within a large federal agency like the Department of Defense. However, a precise comparison requires detailed benchmarking against contracts with similar scopes of work, service levels, and geographic coverage. Factors such as the specific functions performed by volunteer support technicians, the number of personnel supported, and the complexity of the administrative tasks involved would influence the appropriate cost. Without access to detailed comparative contract data, this figure is considered fair but requires further context for definitive value assessment.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, scope creep, and the possibility that the 'exclusion of sources' may have limited the most competitive pricing. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure. The firm-fixed-price (FFP) nature of the contract shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. The presence of 12 bidders suggests a competitive environment that should incentivize good performance. Clear performance standards and regular oversight by the Defense Human Resources Activity are crucial for monitoring contractor delivery and addressing any issues proactively. The specific justification for excluding sources would also be a key factor in assessing the risk related to competition.

How effective has A-Team Solutions LLC been in delivering services under this contract?

The provided data does not include specific performance metrics or evaluations for A-Team Solutions LLC under this contract. Therefore, an assessment of their effectiveness in delivering volunteer support technician services is not possible from this information alone. To determine effectiveness, one would need to examine contractor performance assessment reports (CPARs), user feedback from the Defense Human Resources Activity, and any key performance indicators (KPIs) established in the contract. Without such data, the effectiveness remains an unknown variable.

What are the historical spending patterns for volunteer support technician services within the DoD?

Historical spending patterns for volunteer support technician services within the DoD are not detailed in the provided data. This single contract award of $28 million over five years represents a specific instance of spending. To understand historical patterns, one would need to analyze aggregate spending data for similar services over multiple fiscal years, identify trends in contract values, durations, and the number of awards. This would involve researching procurement databases for contracts categorized under similar NAICS codes (like 541611) and service descriptions related to support personnel and administrative functions within the defense sector.

What is the significance of the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' clause?

This clause signifies a specific procurement approach where the agency intended to conduct full and open competition but subsequently excluded certain sources. This exclusion must be justified by specific criteria, such as unique capabilities, existing relationships, or national security considerations. While it allows for competition among the remaining eligible sources, it inherently limits the pool of potential offerors compared to unrestricted full and open competition. The presence of 12 bidders indicates that despite the exclusions, a substantial number of companies were still interested and qualified, suggesting that the competition, while not entirely unrestricted, was still meaningful for price discovery and selection.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: H9821018R0024

Offers Received: 12

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12507 MARLOW RD, FULTON, MD, 20759

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,044,319

Exercised Options: $28,044,319

Current Obligation: $28,044,319

Actual Outlays: $6,162,968

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline