Marine Corps awards $17.4M contract for analytical and administrative support to TECOM

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,391,165 ($17.4M)

Contractor: Innovative Reasoning LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-06-30

End Date: 2025-08-29

Contract Duration: 1,156 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE SCOPE OF THIS EFFORT IS TO DELIVER ANALYTICAL, DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE U.S MARINE CORPS (USMC) TRAINING AND EDUCATION COMMAND (TECOM), TRAINING SUPPORT CENTERS (TSC).

Place of Performance

Location: QUANTICO, PRINCE WILLIAM County, VIRGINIA, 22134

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $17.4 million to INNOVATIVE REASONING LLC for work described as: THE SCOPE OF THIS EFFORT IS TO DELIVER ANALYTICAL, DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE U.S MARINE CORPS (USMC) TRAINING AND EDUCATION COMMAND (TECOM), TRAINING SUPPORT CENTERS (TSC). Key points: 1. Contract provides essential analytical, documentation, and administrative services for USMC training. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive marketplace. 3. The contract duration of nearly three years indicates a sustained need for these services. 4. The firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost risk to the contractor. 5. The contractor, Innovative Reasoning LLC, is tasked with supporting critical training functions. 6. The contract's value is moderate within the context of large federal service procurements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $17.4 million over approximately three years appears reasonable for the scope of analytical, documentation, and administrative support services required by the Marine Corps Training and Education Command. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized support services within the Department of Defense suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The firm-fixed-price contract type is generally favorable for the government when requirements are well-defined, as it caps the government's financial exposure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process like this generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are likely being used efficiently, as multiple companies competed to offer the best value. This process helps drive down costs compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The U.S. Marine Corps' Training and Education Command (TECOM) will benefit from enhanced analytical and administrative support. Services delivered will bolster the effectiveness of training programs and documentation processes. The primary geographic impact is within the United States, supporting TECOM's operations. The contract supports a specialized workforce focused on analytical and administrative functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions over the contract period.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract structure limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Contract duration aligns with the sustained need for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting the Department of Defense's training and education initiatives. The market for professional, scientific, and technical services supporting government operations is substantial. Comparable spending often involves contracts for program management, analytical support, and administrative functions across various federal agencies, with values ranging widely based on scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not detailed in this award, though prime contractors may engage small businesses for specific support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Marine Corps' Training and Education Command, with contracting officers and program managers responsible for monitoring performance and adherence to terms. As a Department of Defense contract, it may also be subject to review by the Department of Defense Inspector General for audits and investigations into waste, fraud, or abuse. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting mechanisms.

Related Government Programs

USMC Training Support Services
Department of Defense Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Analytical Services
Training and Education Command Support

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor underperformance
Risk of key personnel turnover
Need for robust contract oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $17.4 million to INNOVATIVE REASONING LLC. THE SCOPE OF THIS EFFORT IS TO DELIVER ANALYTICAL, DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO SUPPORT THE U.S MARINE CORPS (USMC) TRAINING AND EDUCATION COMMAND (TECOM), TRAINING SUPPORT CENTERS (TSC).

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INNOVATIVE REASONING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $17.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-30. End: 2025-08-29.

What is the track record of Innovative Reasoning LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Innovative Reasoning LLC has a history of performing contracts primarily within the Department of Defense, often related to analytical, administrative, and technical support services. While specific details on past performance for contracts of this exact scope and value may require deeper investigation into contract databases, their presence in the DoD space suggests familiarity with government contracting processes and requirements. Analyzing past performance ratings, any past performance issues, and the types of agencies they have served can provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability for this Marine Corps contract.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar contracts for analytical and administrative support within the DoD?

The awarded amount of approximately $17.4 million over a period of roughly three years positions this contract as a moderate-sized award within the federal services sector. When compared to other contracts for analytical, documentation, and administrative support within the Department of Defense, this value appears to be within a typical range. Larger, more complex programs or those requiring extensive research and development could easily exceed this figure, while smaller, more localized support contracts might be valued significantly less. The firm-fixed-price structure also influences the perceived value, as it represents the total commitment from the government.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract for the government?

Key risks for the government on this contract include potential contractor underperformance, where Innovative Reasoning LLC might fail to deliver the required analytical, documentation, or administrative services to the expected standard or timeline. There's also a risk of cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price contract is poorly managed or if unforeseen issues arise that necessitate contract modifications, although the FFP structure aims to mitigate this. Another risk is the potential for key personnel turnover within the contractor's team, which could disrupt service continuity. Ensuring clear performance metrics and robust oversight are crucial to mitigating these risks.

How effective is the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type in managing costs for this specific requirement?

The firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally considered effective for managing costs when the scope of work is well-defined and understood, as is often the case for analytical, documentation, and administrative services. This structure places the primary responsibility for cost control on the contractor, Innovative Reasoning LLC. The government agrees to a set price, and the contractor is incentivized to perform efficiently to maximize profit. This reduces the government's exposure to cost overruns, provided the initial requirements were accurately estimated and the contract is managed effectively to prevent scope creep.

What is the historical spending trend for similar support services at the USMC Training and Education Command?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar support services at the USMC Training and Education Command (TECOM) would provide valuable context for this $17.4 million award. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to ascertain if this contract represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of spending for these types of services. However, federal agencies often maintain consistent needs for analytical and administrative support to manage complex operations like training and education. Trends might be influenced by shifts in training methodologies, technological adoption, or overall budget allocations within the Marine Corps. A review of previous contract awards to TECOM for similar services would reveal patterns.

What are the implications of the 7 bidders on this contract for price and quality?

The fact that 7 bidders competed for this contract is a positive indicator for both price and quality. A larger number of bidders generally signifies a competitive marketplace where companies are vying to offer their best terms. This increased competition typically drives down prices as contractors seek to be the most cost-effective option. Furthermore, multiple bidders often lead to a higher quality of service, as contractors differentiate themselves not only on price but also on their proposed approach, technical solutions, and demonstrated capabilities. The government can leverage this competition to select the offer that provides the best overall value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: M6785422R3012

Offers Received: 7

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12424 RESEARCH PARKWAY SUITE 155, ORLANDO, FL, 32826

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,471,194

Exercised Options: $17,430,603

Current Obligation: $17,391,165

Actual Outlays: $6,246,036

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017821D9128

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline