NASA's APPEL program awarded $24.4M to INUTEQ, LLC for professional development training
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,381,408 ($24.4M)
Contractor: Inuteq, LLC
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2011-05-01
End Date: 2016-04-30
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE ACADEMY OF PROGRAM/PROJECT AND ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP (APPEL) IS LOCATED WITHIN NASA'S OCE AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING NASA'S TECHNICAL WORKFORCE IN THREE MAIN AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: (1) PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT, (2) SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, AND (3) ENGINEERING. APPEL ACCOMPLISHES THIS THROUGH THREE MAJOR LINES OF BUSINESS: 1. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (COURSEWORK IN PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, AND ENGINEERING) LIES AT THE HEART OF APPEL'S APPROACH TO BUILDING PROGRAM/PROJECT, ENGINEERING, AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING CAPABILITY AT NASA. THE COURSES ARE DESIGNED USING PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING COMPETENCY MODELS AND FOCUS ON WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS WILL NEED TO ENHANCE THEIR OWN CAPABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS. THE ACADEMY'S CURRICULUM EMPLOYS STATE-OF-THE ART METHODOLOGIES BASED ON THE BEST EMPIRICAL RESEARCH AND THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN INDUSTRY. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO SET THE STANDARD FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ENGINEERING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT, THUS ADVANCING THE MISSION OF NASA IN ITS SERVICE OF OUR NATION. 2. KNOWLEDGE SHARING (HOSTING FORUMS AND CONFERENCES, PROVIDING CASE STUDIES, PUBLISHING RELEVANT ARTICLES ON THE APPEL WEBSITE AND OTHER ELECTRONIC AND HARDCOPY VENUES, ETC) PROMOTES EXCELLENCE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. ITS PRIMARY STRATEGY FOCUSES ON GATHERING AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM FROM THE BEST PROGRAM/PROJECT AND ENGINEERING LEADERS ACROSS THE AGENCY. THIS INITIATIVE HAS PROVEN TO BE AN EFFECTIVE CATALYST IN BUILDING AND SUPPORTING ONGOING NASA COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE. 3. PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT (CONSULTING AND COACHING WITH PROGRAM/PROJECT TEAMS) INCREASES A PROJECT'S PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS BY DELIVERING THE RIGHT SUPPORT TO A PROJECT TEAM AT THE RIGHT TIME. THROUGH ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE, FOCUSED WORKSHOPS, OR LARGE-GROUP SESSIONS, PROJECT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMS ACHIEVE IMMEDIATE PROJECT GOALS, WHILE ENHANCING LONG-TERM TEAM CAPABILITIES.
Place of Performance
Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503
State: Alaska Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $24.4 million to INUTEQ, LLC for work described as: THE ACADEMY OF PROGRAM/PROJECT AND ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP (APPEL) IS LOCATED WITHIN NASA'S OCE AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING NASA'S TECHNICAL WORKFORCE IN THREE MAIN AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: (1) PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT, (2) SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, AND (3) ENGINEERIN… Key points: 1. The contract focuses on enhancing NASA's technical workforce in program/project management, systems engineering, and engineering. 2. Training curriculum development is a core component, designed to build critical capabilities within NASA. 3. The contract duration spans five years, indicating a sustained investment in workforce development. 4. INUTEQ, LLC is the sole awardee, suggesting specialized expertise or a competitive bidding process. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which allows for cost reimbursement plus a fixed fee for profit. 6. This initiative directly supports NASA's strategic goals for technical excellence and program execution.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The total award of $24.4 million over five years for professional development training appears reasonable given the scope of developing NASA's technical workforce. Benchmarking against similar government-wide training contracts is challenging without more specific service details, but the cost per year averages around $4.88 million. This figure needs to be assessed against the number of personnel trained and the depth of the curriculum provided to determine true value for money. The fixed fee component of the contract provides some predictability for contractor profit.
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,' which implies a competitive process was initiated but specific sources were later excluded. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated in the provided data, but the 'full and open' designation suggests an initial broad solicitation. The exclusion of sources might indicate a need for specific qualifications or a consolidation of requirements.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with subsequent source exclusions, generally aims to achieve competitive pricing and ensure the best value for taxpayers by considering a wide range of potential offerors.
Public Impact
NASA employees across program/project management, systems engineering, and engineering disciplines benefit from enhanced skills and knowledge. The services delivered include specialized curriculum development and training delivery. The geographic impact is primarily NASA centers nationwide, supporting a distributed technical workforce. Workforce implications include improved technical capabilities, potentially leading to more successful program execution and innovation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'Exclusion of Sources' aspect of the competition warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on competition.
- The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, although the fixed fee component provides some control.
- Specific metrics for measuring the effectiveness and impact of the training on NASA's technical workforce are not detailed.
Positive Signals
- The contract addresses a critical need for continuous professional development within NASA's technical ranks.
- The focus on core competencies like program management and systems engineering is strategically aligned with NASA's mission.
- The five-year duration suggests a commitment to long-term capability building.
Sector Analysis
The professional and management development training sector within the federal government is a significant market, supporting agencies in maintaining and enhancing their workforce's skills. This contract fits within the broader IT and professional services spending categories. Comparable spending benchmarks for specialized technical training programs can vary widely based on the subject matter, duration, and number of participants. NASA's investment reflects the critical nature of its complex engineering and project management requirements.
Small Business Impact
The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As a definitive contract awarded to INUTEQ, LLC, the primary focus appears to be on the direct service delivery by the prime contractor. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved in the subcontracting chain.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically reside within NASA's Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE) or the relevant program office overseeing the Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership (APPEL). Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of training services, curriculum quality, and achievement of workforce development objectives as outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics may not always be publicly disclosed.
Related Government Programs
- NASA Workforce Development Programs
- Federal Employee Training Services
- Program Management Training
- Systems Engineering Training
- Technical Skills Development
Risk Flags
- Potential lack of full transparency in source exclusion during competition.
- Need for clear performance metrics to assess training effectiveness.
- Cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs.
Tags
nasa, professional-development-training, inuteq-llc, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, workforce-development, systems-engineering, program-management, engineering, alaska, definitive-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $24.4 million to INUTEQ, LLC. THE ACADEMY OF PROGRAM/PROJECT AND ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP (APPEL) IS LOCATED WITHIN NASA'S OCE AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING NASA'S TECHNICAL WORKFORCE IN THREE MAIN AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: (1) PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT, (2) SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, AND (3) ENGINEERING. APPEL ACCOMPLISHES THIS THROUGH THREE MAJOR LINES OF BUSINESS: 1. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT (COURSEWORK IN PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT, SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, AND ENGINEERING) LIES AT THE HEART OF APPEL'S APPROACH TO BUILD
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INUTEQ, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-05-01. End: 2016-04-30.
What specific criteria were used to exclude sources after the initial 'Full and Open Competition'?
The provided data indicates the contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This designation suggests that while the initial solicitation was open to all responsible sources, certain potential offerors were subsequently excluded from consideration. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed in the summary data but could include factors such as failure to meet technical requirements, inability to meet security mandates, lack of specific certifications or clearances, or a strategic decision to consolidate requirements with a limited number of highly qualified vendors. Understanding these exclusion criteria is crucial for assessing the true level of competition and potential impact on pricing and innovation.
How does the cost of this training program compare to similar professional development initiatives within NASA or other federal agencies?
Direct cost comparison is difficult without detailed breakdowns of curriculum content, delivery methods (online vs. in-person), duration, and the number of participants trained. The total award of $24.4 million over five years ($4.88 million annually) for NASA's APPEL program provides a benchmark. However, to assess value, this figure should be compared against metrics such as cost per participant, cost per training hour, or the demonstrated improvement in project success rates attributed to the training. Similar federal programs exist across agencies like the DoD or DHS for technical and management training, but their specific costs and outcomes vary significantly based on agency needs and scope.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success and effectiveness of the training provided by INUTEQ, LLC?
The provided data does not explicitly list the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, typical KPIs for professional development training programs include participant satisfaction surveys, pre- and post-training assessments to measure knowledge gain, completion rates, and potentially longer-term metrics such as application of learned skills in projects, promotion rates of trained personnel, or improvements in project management metrics (e.g., on-time, on-budget delivery). NASA's APPEL program likely has internal metrics to evaluate the curriculum's relevance and impact on NASA's technical workforce capabilities, which would be monitored under this contract.
What is INUTEQ, LLC's track record in providing similar professional development and engineering training services to the federal government?
While the data confirms INUTEQ, LLC was awarded this $24.4 million contract by NASA for professional development training, it does not provide details on their specific track record or past performance evaluations. To assess their suitability, one would typically look at previous contracts with federal agencies, client references, demonstrated expertise in program management, systems engineering, and engineering training, and any performance ratings or awards received. A thorough review of INUTEQ's history would be necessary to understand their capabilities and reliability in delivering complex training solutions.
What is the anticipated impact of this training on NASA's ability to execute complex engineering and space exploration missions?
The APPEL program's focus on program/project management, systems engineering, and engineering is directly aimed at enhancing NASA's core mission execution capabilities. By developing a more skilled and knowledgeable technical workforce, the training is intended to improve project planning, risk management, technical problem-solving, and overall program efficiency. This, in turn, should contribute to the successful and cost-effective execution of NASA's complex engineering endeavors, including space exploration missions, aeronautics research, and technology development, by ensuring personnel possess the latest best practices and technical acumen.
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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 5
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Address: 3900 C ST STE 801, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Other Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $37,019,499
Exercised Options: $37,019,499
Current Obligation: $24,381,408
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 56
Total Subaward Amount: $6,763,767
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-05-01
Current End Date: 2016-04-30
Potential End Date: 2016-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2022-09-12
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