Army awards $14M contract for security assistance training, with Agile Decision Sciences as sole provider

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,064,067 ($14.1M)

Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRAINING COURSE MAINTENANCE AND PRESENTATION FOR THE ARMY SECURITY ASSISTANCE ENTERPRISE (ASAE) SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: HUNTSVILLE, MADISON County, ALABAMA, 35806

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $14.1 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: TRAINING COURSE MAINTENANCE AND PRESENTATION FOR THE ARMY SECURITY ASSISTANCE ENTERPRISE (ASAE) SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential training for Army's security assistance enterprise. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long-term contract duration (5 years) suggests a stable, ongoing need. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but sole-source nature limits price discovery. 5. Contractor, Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, is the sole entity providing these services. 6. Geographic focus on Alabama (AL) for contract performance. 7. The contract's value is significant within its niche training sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this sole-source contract is challenging without comparable bids. The fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty, but the absence of competition means there's no direct market comparison to assess if the price is optimal. The award amount of approximately $14 million over five years suggests a substantial investment in specialized training. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and comparing them to industry standards for similar training programs, which are not readily available.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, was considered. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process. While sole-source awards can be justified for unique capabilities or urgent needs, they limit the government's ability to leverage market competition to drive down prices and ensure the best value. The lack of multiple bidders means potential cost savings that could arise from a competitive environment were not realized.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding. This could lead to higher overall costs for the training services provided.

Public Impact

Personnel within the Army Security Assistance Enterprise (ASAE) will benefit from enhanced training. Services include maintenance and presentation of training courses, crucial for operational readiness. The contract performance is primarily located in Alabama (AL). This contract supports the professional development and effectiveness of military and civilian personnel involved in security assistance programs. The training ensures standardized delivery of critical knowledge and skills across the ASAE.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
Sole-source award limits transparency in pricing justification.
Long-term contract duration could lock in potentially suboptimal solutions.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical training services.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
Contractor is specialized in providing these specific training services.
Long duration indicates a stable and predictable need for the services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional and management development training sector, specifically tailored for defense applications. The market for specialized government training is often characterized by niche providers and, in some cases, sole-source awards due to unique requirements or existing expertise. While precise market size data for ASAE training is not publicly available, the Department of Defense represents a significant client base for such services, with substantial annual spending on training and education across various domains.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, a single entity, suggests that small business participation was not a primary consideration in this specific procurement. This could mean missed opportunities for small businesses to contribute their expertise and benefit from federal contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC)
Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) programs
Foreign Military Sales (FMS) training
Professional Military Education (PME)

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive transparency.
Potential for unverified pricing due to lack of competition.
Contract duration may limit flexibility for future needs.
Limited public information on contractor's specific past performance for this niche.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $14.1 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. TRAINING COURSE MAINTENANCE AND PRESENTATION FOR THE ARMY SECURITY ASSISTANCE ENTERPRISE (ASAE) SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $14.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What is the track record of Agile Decision Sciences, LLC in providing similar training services to the Department of Defense?

Agile Decision Sciences, LLC has been awarded this sole-source contract for the maintenance and presentation of training courses for the Army Security Assistance Enterprise (ASAE). While the specific details of their past performance on similar contracts are not publicly detailed in this award notice, the decision to award solely to them suggests a pre-existing relationship or a determination of unique capability. Further investigation into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any publicly available project portfolios would be necessary to fully assess their track record. Without this information, it is difficult to definitively gauge their experience beyond what is implied by this award.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar training services in the market?

Direct price comparison is difficult for this contract due to its sole-source nature. Standard market benchmarking relies on competitive bids to establish fair and reasonable pricing. Since only Agile Decision Sciences, LLC was considered, there is no competitive data to validate the pricing against. To assess value, one would need to compare the specific training modules, duration, instructor qualifications, and expected outcomes against industry standards for comparable professional development and specialized training programs. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty but does not inherently guarantee optimal value without a competitive baseline.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical training services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical training services include potential overpricing due to lack of competition, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or improve service quality, and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, where the government becomes overly reliant on a single provider, making it difficult and costly to switch vendors in the future. Furthermore, without competitive pressure, the contractor may have less motivation to seek efficiencies or offer cost-saving measures. This can ultimately lead to a less cost-effective outcome for the taxpayer.

How effective is the training provided under this contract likely to be for the Army Security Assistance Enterprise?

The effectiveness of the training is contingent on the quality of curriculum design, instructor expertise, and the relevance of the content to the Army Security Assistance Enterprise's (ASAE) mission. The contract specifies 'maintenance and presentation' of courses, implying an existing framework. The sole-source award suggests the Army believes Agile Decision Sciences, LLC possesses the necessary qualifications and understanding of ASAE needs. However, without independent evaluations or performance metrics from past training sessions, assessing effectiveness remains speculative. The long-term duration suggests an expectation of continued relevance and utility.

What are the historical spending patterns for ASAE training support services within the Department of the Army?

Detailed historical spending patterns specifically for ASAE training support services are not readily available in the public domain through this contract notice alone. This $14 million contract, spanning five years, represents a significant, ongoing investment. To understand historical trends, one would need to analyze past contracts awarded for similar services, potentially looking at previous contract vehicles for ASAE training, or broader categories of security cooperation and international affairs training within the Department of the Army. Analyzing trends in contract duration, value, and competition levels over several fiscal years would provide a clearer picture of historical spending.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. Typically, sole-source awards are justified under specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations, such as when only one responsible source is capable of providing the required services, or when there is a compelling urgency. For specialized training like that required for the Army Security Assistance Enterprise, it's possible that Agile Decision Sciences, LLC possesses unique expertise, proprietary training materials, or an established infrastructure that makes them the only viable option. A formal justification document (e.g., a Justification and Approval for Other Than Full and Open Competition) would normally be required and publicly accessible.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W91CRB21R0027

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 350 VOYAGER WAY STE 100B, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,064,067

Exercised Options: $14,064,067

Current Obligation: $14,064,067

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $2,674,067

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline