State Department awards $53M for training services to IDS International, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $53,019,375 ($53.0M)

Contractor: IDS International, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2017-09-27

End Date: 2025-04-18

Contract Duration: 2,760 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRAINING SERVICES

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $53.0 million to IDS INTERNATIONAL, LLC for work described as: TRAINING SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $53 million over its period of performance. 2. The contract is for training services, categorized under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. 3. Awarded via full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 4. The contract has a long duration, spanning from September 2017 to April 2025. 5. The pricing structure is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 6. This award represents a significant investment in professional development and support services for the agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $53 million over approximately 7.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar large-scale training and consulting contracts would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure implies that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government if managed effectively. The number of bids received (6) provides some basis for comparison, suggesting a competitive environment that likely influenced pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. Six bids were received, indicating a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. The presence of multiple bidders generally supports price discovery and can lead to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition and multiple bids suggest that taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently, as the government had a wide range of options to choose from, fostering a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely Department of State personnel who will receive specialized training. Services delivered include various training programs and related consulting, enhancing workforce capabilities. The geographic impact is likely global, supporting the State Department's international operations. Workforce implications include the development of skills and expertise among federal employees.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration could lead to potential for scope creep or evolving needs not fully captured in initial pricing.
Reliance on a single contractor for a significant period may limit flexibility in adopting new training methodologies or technologies.
The specific nature of 'training services' can be broad, requiring clear performance metrics to ensure effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a robust vetting process for potential contractors.
The award to a single entity for a defined period can streamline delivery and management of services.

Sector Analysis

The market for professional and technical consulting services, particularly those related to government training and development, is substantial. This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, which is a significant component of federal spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other large training contracts awarded by agencies with similar operational needs, such as defense or intelligence agencies, to gauge the relative scale and pricing of this award.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not specify any small business set-aside. Therefore, there is no direct indication of small business participation through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, IDS INTERNATIONAL, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors to fulfill portions of the contract requirements, which would be detailed in their subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of State. Performance monitoring, delivery tracking, and invoice review are standard accountability measures. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise related to the contract's execution.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Training Programs
Federal Workforce Development Initiatives
Professional and Technical Consulting Services
Government Contract Training Awards

Risk Flags

Long contract duration may require careful monitoring for scope creep and evolving needs.
Firm Fixed Price contracts can be subject to contractor cost overruns if not managed properly.
The broad category of 'training services' necessitates clear performance metrics to ensure value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $53.0 million to IDS INTERNATIONAL, LLC. TRAINING SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IDS INTERNATIONAL, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $53.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-09-27. End: 2025-04-18.

What is the track record of IDS INTERNATIONAL, LLC in delivering similar training services to government agencies?

IDS International, LLC has a history of providing training and advisory services, often in complex or high-risk environments, including support for government agencies. Their experience typically encompasses areas such as security cooperation, defense, and stability operations, which often involve significant training components. A detailed review of their past performance on similar federal contracts would reveal their success in meeting performance requirements, managing budgets, and adhering to timelines. Analyzing past performance evaluations and any contract disputes or awards would provide further insight into their capabilities and reliability as a contractor for this $53 million training services award.

How does the $53 million contract value compare to other large federal training service contracts?

The $53 million contract value for training services awarded to IDS International, LLC is a substantial sum, indicative of a large-scale, long-term requirement. To benchmark this value, one would compare it against other significant federal contracts for training, professional development, or related consulting services. For instance, major defense or intelligence agencies often award multi-year contracts in the tens or hundreds of millions for specialized training. The Department of State itself may have other contracts of similar or larger magnitude for different service areas. The duration of this contract (nearly 8 years) also influences the annual spend, making direct comparison to shorter-term contracts less straightforward. A comprehensive analysis would involve looking at the scope of services, the number of personnel trained, and the complexity of the training provided in comparable contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with a long-duration, firm-fixed-price training contract?

A primary risk with a long-duration, firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract is the potential for the contractor to become complacent or for the training content to become outdated over the contract's extended period. For the government, there's a risk that the initial pricing may not reflect the true market value by the end of the contract, or that evolving training needs are not adequately addressed without costly modifications. For the contractor, the FFP structure means they absorb any cost increases, which can be significant over several years due to inflation, changes in labor costs, or unforeseen operational challenges. Ensuring robust performance metrics and regular reviews are crucial to mitigate these risks and maintain service quality and relevance.

What is the expected effectiveness of the training services based on the contract details?

The effectiveness of the training services is not explicitly detailed in the provided data but can be inferred from the contract's structure and the nature of the services. As a Firm Fixed Price contract awarded through full and open competition, the expectation is that IDS International, LLC will deliver specific training outcomes as defined in the contract's statement of work. Effectiveness will largely depend on the clarity of performance standards, the quality of instructors and materials, and the alignment of the training with the Department of State's strategic objectives. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms would be essential to monitor and ensure the training's impact on workforce capabilities and mission accomplishment.

How has the Department of State's spending on training services evolved over the past five years?

Analyzing the Department of State's spending on training services over the past five years would require access to historical federal procurement data. This specific contract, awarded in 2017 and ending in 2025, represents a significant portion of their training expenditure during that period. To understand the evolution, one would examine trends in the total dollar amount obligated for training services contracts, the number of contracts awarded, and the types of training procured. Factors such as shifts in foreign policy priorities, global events, and budget allocations would likely influence these spending patterns. Comparing the average contract value and duration for training services over time would reveal whether the department is increasingly consolidating training needs or diversifying its approach.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2500 WILSON BLVD STE 200, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $60,232,046

Exercised Options: $60,232,046

Current Obligation: $53,019,375

Actual Outlays: $18,028,633

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: SAQMMA17D0137

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline