DHS awards $34.9M task order to Lockheed Martin for educational support services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $34,888,759 ($34.9M)

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2012-02-08

End Date: 2013-04-30

Contract Duration: 447 days

Daily Burn Rate: $78.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER 18

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $34.9 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN SERVICES, LLC for work described as: TASK ORDER 18 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature of the contract. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract type mitigating cost overrun risks. 4. Performance context is within educational support services, a common government function. 5. Sector positioning is within the broader IT and professional services sector for government support.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $34.9 million for a duration of approximately 1.5 years suggests a significant investment in educational support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for educational services is difficult without more specific details on the scope of services. However, the firm fixed-price contract type implies that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for value if the scope is well-defined. The price per day is approximately $78,051, which needs to be evaluated against the specific deliverables.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to more favorable pricing for the government. The transparency of the bidding process under full and open competition is a positive sign for price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for obtaining the best value through a wide range of offers and competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely personnel within the Department of Homeland Security requiring educational support services. Services delivered would encompass training, curriculum development, or other educational programs. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the areas where DHS personnel are located. Workforce implications could include the need for specialized instructors or training staff, potentially sourced by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if educational needs are not precisely defined.
Dependence on contractor expertise for effective service delivery.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract limits government financial risk.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract duration provides a stable period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

Educational Support Services fall under the broader professional and business services sector, which is a significant component of government contracting. This sector includes a wide range of specialized services. The market size for government educational support services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for training and development across various federal agencies. This contract represents a specific instance of spending within this larger market.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary focus would be on the prime contractor, Lockheed Martin Services, LLC. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data snippet. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether Lockheed Martin utilizes small businesses for any part of the service delivery.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract award process, though detailed performance metrics are not provided here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security Training Programs
Federal Workforce Development Initiatives
Government Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope impacting service effectiveness.
Risk of quality compromise under fixed-price constraints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $34.9 million to LOCKHEED MARTIN SERVICES, LLC. TASK ORDER 18

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKHEED MARTIN SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $34.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2012-02-08. End: 2013-04-30.

What specific educational support services were provided under this task order?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 611710, which is 'Educational Support Services'. This broad category can encompass a wide range of activities, including administration of educational programs, curriculum development, educational consulting, and potentially the provision of instructors or training facilities. Without further details from the contract's statement of work, it is difficult to ascertain the precise nature of the services rendered. However, given the awarding agency (Department of Homeland Security) and the specific task order designation, it is likely related to professional development, security training, or operational education for DHS personnel.

How does the $34.9 million value compare to similar educational support contracts within DHS or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $34.9 million value requires comparing it to contracts with similar scope, duration, and service complexity. As a task order under a larger contract vehicle, its value is specific to the defined requirements. Educational support services can range significantly in cost depending on factors like the number of personnel trained, the complexity of the subject matter, the duration of the training, and whether it involves specialized equipment or facilities. A direct comparison to other federal educational support contracts would necessitate identifying contracts with comparable NAICS codes, agencies, and service descriptions. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope, and the value should be assessed against the deliverables outlined in the task order's statement of work.

What is the track record of Lockheed Martin Services, LLC in providing educational support services to the federal government?

Lockheed Martin Services, LLC, as a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, has a extensive history of providing a wide array of services to the U.S. government, including IT, logistics, training, and professional support. While specific details on their performance for this particular task order (Task Order 18) are not provided in the snippet, the company generally holds a strong reputation for executing large-scale government contracts. Their experience likely includes developing and delivering complex training programs and educational solutions across various defense and civilian agencies. Past performance evaluations and contract award histories would provide a more granular view of their specific capabilities and reliability in the educational support domain.

What are the potential risks associated with a $34.9 million firm fixed-price contract for educational support?

While a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is designed to mitigate cost overrun risks for the government, potential risks still exist. For educational support, a key risk is the definition of 'completion' or 'success'. If the statement of work is ambiguous, the contractor might deliver services that do not fully meet the agency's evolving needs, leading to dissatisfaction or the need for additional, potentially unfunded, efforts. Another risk is that the contractor, in an effort to maximize profit under an FFP, might cut corners on quality or reduce the level of engagement, impacting the effectiveness of the educational outcomes. Ensuring clear performance metrics and robust quality assurance processes are crucial to managing these risks.

How does the duration of the contract (447 days) impact the assessment of value and performance?

The contract duration of 447 days, approximately 1.5 years, provides a substantial period for the delivery of educational support services. This duration suggests that the scope of work is significant enough to warrant a longer engagement, potentially involving ongoing training, curriculum updates, or sustained support functions. For a firm fixed-price contract, a longer duration can sometimes increase the risk of scope creep if not managed tightly, but it also allows for a more stable and predictable delivery environment. From a value perspective, it allows for the amortization of any initial setup or development costs over a longer period, potentially leading to better overall value if the services are consistently delivered at a high standard throughout the contract term.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Lockheed Martin Corp (UEI: 834951691)

Address: 700 N FREDERICK AVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20879

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $34,888,760

Exercised Options: $34,888,759

Current Obligation: $34,888,759

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HSTS0109DOSO900

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline