DoD's $16.8M instructional development contract awarded to Team Carney, Inc. for training support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,834,806 ($16.8M)

Contractor: Team Carney, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-15

End Date: 2026-06-14

Contract Duration: 637 days

Daily Burn Rate: $26.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT DELIVERY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM DESIGN, EDITORS, WRITERS, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT INSTRUCTORS, COURSEWARE DEVELOPERS, AND CONTENT DEVELOPERS

Place of Performance

Location: LINTHICUM HEIGHTS, ANNE ARUNDEL County, MARYLAND, 21090

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.8 million to TEAM CARNEY, INC. for work described as: INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT DELIVERY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM DESIGN, EDITORS, WRITERS, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT INSTRUCTORS, COURSEWARE DEVELOPERS, AND CONTENT DEVELOPERS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical instructional system design and content development for specialized training. 2. Competition was open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. The contract duration of over 1.5 years indicates a sustained need for these services. 4. Delivery order structure implies flexibility in tasking and resource allocation. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611430 points to professional and management development training. 6. The contract's value is significant within the professional development training sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $16.8 million for instructional development and delivery support appears reasonable given the scope of services, which include instructional system design, subject matter expertise, and courseware development. Benchmarking against similar contracts for comprehensive training solutions would provide a more precise value assessment. The labor hours pricing structure (PT: LABOR HOURS) allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness over the contract's duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered, and the process aimed for broad participation. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, this competition type generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive proposals. The exclusion of sources clause might suggest specific technical requirements or prior performance considerations that narrowed the initial pool.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality services. This approach helps ensure that the government is not overpaying for essential training development and delivery.

Public Impact

Personnel within the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) are likely the primary beneficiaries, receiving enhanced training. Services delivered include the design and development of instructional materials and courseware. The contract supports workforce development and skill enhancement within the agency. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around the agency's operational locations, primarily Maryland (ST: MD).

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if task orders are not clearly defined.
Ensuring consistent quality across all instructional materials and delivery methods.
Managing labor hour costs effectively to stay within budget.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Clear definition of services including instructional system design and content development.
Contract duration allows for sustained support and development of training programs.

Sector Analysis

The professional and management development training sector (NAICS 611430) is a significant market supporting government and private sector workforce development. This contract fits within the broader defense training and education services market, which is characterized by specialized requirements and a need for high-quality instructional design and delivery. Comparable spending benchmarks in this sector often vary widely based on the complexity and duration of training programs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (SB: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary awardee, Team Carney, Inc., is likely a larger entity, and the contract's direct impact on the small business ecosystem in this specific award may be limited unless subcontracting opportunities arise organically.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, delivery orders, and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics are usually internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Training and Education
Professional Development Services
Instructional Design Contracts
Courseware Development
Government Workforce Training

Risk Flags

Labor Hours Pricing Model Risk
Potential for Scope Creep
Quality Control of Training Materials
Dependence on Key Personnel/SMEs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.8 million to TEAM CARNEY, INC.. INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT DELIVERY SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDES INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEM DESIGN, EDITORS, WRITERS, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT INSTRUCTORS, COURSEWARE DEVELOPERS, AND CONTENT DEVELOPERS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TEAM CARNEY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-15. End: 2026-06-14.

What is the track record of Team Carney, Inc. in delivering similar instructional development services to the federal government?

Information regarding Team Carney, Inc.'s specific track record with federal instructional development services is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require examining past performance evaluations, contract history, and client feedback from previous government contracts. Key areas to investigate would include their success in instructional system design, content creation, and delivery across various platforms, as well as their ability to meet deadlines and budget constraints on similar projects. Understanding their experience with defense-related training would be particularly relevant given the awarding agency.

How does the $16.8 million contract value compare to similar instructional development contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

The $16.8 million contract value for instructional development and delivery support is a substantial investment. To benchmark this effectively, comparisons should be made with contracts of similar scope, duration, and complexity within the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies. Factors such as the number of personnel trained, the type of content developed (e.g., technical vs. general), and the delivery methods (e.g., online, in-person) significantly influence pricing. Without specific comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively assess if this represents a high, low, or average investment for the services rendered.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, and how are they being managed?

Primary risk indicators for this instructional development contract could include potential cost overruns due to the labor hours pricing model, challenges in maintaining consistent quality across diverse instructional materials, and the risk of scope creep if task orders are not precisely defined. Additionally, reliance on subject matter experts (SMEs) introduces a risk related to their availability and knowledge transfer. Management strategies likely involve robust project management, clear statement of work (SOW) for each delivery order, regular performance reviews, and potentially fixed-price elements for specific deliverables to mitigate cost risks.

How effective is the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' approach in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' approach is designed to maximize competition while potentially addressing specific technical or capability requirements. Its effectiveness in ensuring value for money hinges on the number of qualified bidders that participated and the rigor of the evaluation process. While it broadens the potential bidder pool compared to a sole-source award, the 'exclusion of sources' element means the competition might not be as wide as a purely unrestricted full and open competition. Taxpayers benefit if this process yields multiple competitive bids that drive down costs and improve service quality.

What is the historical spending pattern for instructional development and delivery support services within the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA)?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for instructional development and delivery support services within the DCSA is crucial for context. This would involve examining previous contract awards for similar services, their values, durations, and the contractors involved over the past several fiscal years. Understanding trends in DCSA's investment in training development can reveal whether this $16.8 million contract represents an increase, decrease, or continuation of previous spending levels. It also helps identify any shifts in contracting strategies or the types of training services being prioritized.

What are the implications of the contract being awarded as a Delivery Order (AW: DELIVERY ORDER)?

The contract being awarded as a Delivery Order (DO) under a larger contract vehicle (potentially an IDIQ) signifies that it represents a specific task or set of tasks to be performed. This structure allows for flexibility in acquiring services as needed, rather than a single large, upfront commitment. For taxpayers, this can be beneficial as it allows the government to order services incrementally, potentially avoiding over-procurement and enabling adjustments based on evolving requirements. However, it necessitates careful management of each DO to ensure it aligns with the overall contract objectives and budget.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7621 ADMIRAL DR, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22308

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,834,806

Exercised Options: $16,834,806

Current Obligation: $16,834,806

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $1,181,745

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QREB19D0021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline