DoD's $19.3M Knowledge Based Services Contract Awarded to Analytic Services Inc. for Program Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,348,345 ($19.3M)

Contractor: Analytic Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-30

End Date: 2024-07-29

Contract Duration: 1,764 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: KNOWLEDGE BASED SERVICES - DASD INF BUSINESS SYSTEMS&INFORMATION PROGRAM SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22041

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.3 million to ANALYTIC SERVICES INC. for work described as: KNOWLEDGE BASED SERVICES - DASD INF BUSINESS SYSTEMS&INFORMATION PROGRAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a Best Practices Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 2. The contract spans nearly five years, suggesting a long-term need for these services. 3. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting, a broad category. 4. The contract was fully and openly competed, implying a competitive bidding process. 5. Analytic Services Inc. is the sole awardee under this specific BPA Call. 6. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 7. The contract is managed by Washington Headquarters Services within the Department of Defense.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $19.3 million over nearly five years for administrative and management consulting services appears reasonable within the context of large federal procurements. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program support within the Department of Defense is crucial for a definitive value assessment. The Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests that the government has secured a defined cost, though the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns. Without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The fact that it was a BPA Call suggests that Analytic Services Inc. was likely one of several pre-qualified vendors on a larger agreement. The number of bidders for this specific call is not provided, but the full and open nature generally promotes price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. The agency opted for a competitive approach, which is a positive indicator for achieving value.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation from multiple potential providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense's Washington Headquarters Services, which will receive essential program support. The services delivered are expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of administrative and management functions within the DoD. The geographic impact is primarily within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, where the Washington Headquarters Services are located. The contract supports specialized knowledge-based services, potentially impacting a workforce skilled in consulting and program management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'program support' is not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant duration could lead to vendor lock-in.
The broad nature of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' may obscure specific performance metrics.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract is managed by a dedicated service provider (Washington Headquarters Services) within the DoD, indicating focused oversight.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of government functions. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in program management, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. The Department of Defense, as a major federal agency, consistently procures such services to support its complex operations and administrative needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large consulting contracts awarded to support federal agencies' management and business systems.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Analytic Services Inc., may choose to subcontract portions of the work to small businesses as part of their overall business strategy, though this is not mandated by the contract terms. The absence of a small business set-aside means the primary competition was open to all responsible sources, regardless of size.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) within the Department of Defense. As a federal contract, it is subject to standard government oversight mechanisms, including contract performance reviews, financial audits, and compliance checks. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. The Department of Defense also has an Inspector General whose office may conduct audits or investigations into contract performance and spending if concerns arise.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Management Consulting Services
Washington Headquarters Services Contracts
Knowledge-Based Services Procurement
Program Management Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may increase risk of vendor lock-in.
Broad service category could obscure specific performance metrics.
Potential for cost overruns if scope is not tightly defined, despite FFP.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.3 million to ANALYTIC SERVICES INC.. KNOWLEDGE BASED SERVICES - DASD INF BUSINESS SYSTEMS&INFORMATION PROGRAM SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ANALYTIC SERVICES INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-09-30. End: 2024-07-29.

What is the specific scope of 'Knowledge Based Services - DASD INF Business Systems & Information Program Support' and how does it align with the contractor's expertise?

The contract title suggests support for business systems and information programs within the DASD (Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense) INF (Information) office. This likely involves providing expertise in areas such as strategic planning, policy development, program analysis, requirements definition, and potentially IT strategy alignment for defense information systems. Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER) is a non-profit research institute and federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) known for providing objective analysis and support to government decision-makers, particularly in defense and national security. Their expertise typically encompasses a broad range of technical, management, and policy-related services, making them well-suited for complex program support roles within the DoD.

How does the $19.3 million contract value compare to similar program support contracts within the Department of Defense?

The $19.3 million contract value over approximately 4.8 years (from Sept 2019 to July 2024) equates to an average annual value of roughly $4 million. This figure is moderate for large federal contracts, especially within the Department of Defense, which often awards multi-billion dollar contracts. However, for specialized knowledge-based services and program support at a specific office level like DASD INF, this value can be substantial. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar scope (program support, administrative management, consulting) and duration awarded to similar types of organizations (e.g., FFRDCs, large consulting firms) within the DoD. Contracts for broader IT modernization or large-scale system development would naturally be significantly higher.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract, and how is performance being measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. However, for 'Knowledge Based Services - DASD INF Business Systems & Information Program Support,' typical deliverables might include strategic plans, program assessments, feasibility studies, policy recommendations, technical documentation, and regular progress reports. Performance measurement for such contracts usually involves adherence to schedules, quality of deliverables, responsiveness to requests, and overall contribution to the program's objectives. The contracting officer's representative (COR) would typically be responsible for monitoring performance against the contract's statement of work and ensuring that the contractor meets the required standards.

What is Analytic Services Inc.'s track record with the Department of Defense, particularly in providing similar program support services?

Analytic Services Inc. (ANSER) has a long-standing relationship with the Department of Defense, having served as a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) for many years. They have a well-established track record of providing a wide range of analytical, research, and advisory services to various DoD components. Their work often involves complex problem-solving, strategic analysis, and program support for defense initiatives. While this specific contract is for $19.3 million, ANSER has likely been involved in numerous other contracts and task orders with the DoD over the years, many of which may have been larger or smaller in scope, but generally within the realm of defense planning, policy, and program management support.

Given the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract type, what are the potential risks and benefits for the government and the contractor?

For the government, the primary benefit of a Firm Fixed Price contract is cost certainty. The price is set, and the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns. This simplifies budgeting and financial management. However, a potential risk is that the contractor might cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if costs escalate unexpectedly, although quality is usually managed through performance standards. For the contractor, the benefit is the potential for higher profit margins if they can deliver the services efficiently and under budget. The main risk is incurring losses if their costs exceed the fixed price, which can happen due to unforeseen challenges, scope creep not properly managed, or inaccurate initial cost estimations.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HQ003415R0054

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5275 LEESBURG PIKE STE N5000, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22041

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,348,345

Exercised Options: $19,348,345

Current Obligation: $19,348,345

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HQ003415A0030

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline