DoD's Army awards $12.1M for e-learning, with firm fixed price contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,090,511 ($12.1M)
Contractor: Skillsoft (US) LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2006-11-01
End Date: 2011-10-31
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: TRAVEL AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS FOR THE BASE YEAR OF THE E-LEARNING CONTRACT
Place of Performance
Location: NEWPORT NEWS, NEWPORT NEWS (CITY) County, VIRGINIA, 23601
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $12.1 million to SKILLSOFT (US) LLC for work described as: TRAVEL AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS FOR THE BASE YEAR OF THE E-LEARNING CONTRACT Key points: 1. Spending on e-learning services for the Army totals $12.1 million. 2. Skillsoft (US) LLC is the sole contractor for this e-learning platform. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. This spending falls under the Software Publishers NAICS code (511210).
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's base year spending of $12.1 million for e-learning services appears reasonable given the duration and scope. However, without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for e-learning services, which can enhance workforce training and efficiency. The competitive award aims to ensure value for money.
Public Impact
Provides essential e-learning capabilities to Department of the Army personnel. Supports ongoing training and development needs within the military. The contract's duration suggests a long-term commitment to digital learning solutions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics for value assessment.
- Limited insight into the per-unit cost of e-learning modules.
- Contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
- Supports critical training needs for the Army.
Sector Analysis
Spending on software and e-learning platforms is common across government agencies. Benchmarks for similar contracts would require detailed service comparisons, but $12.1M for a 5-year base period is within a plausible range for enterprise-level solutions.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Skillsoft (US) LLC, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation or subcontracting in the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, indicating agency-level oversight. Further details on performance monitoring and accountability mechanisms would be needed for a comprehensive oversight assessment.
Related Government Programs
- Software Publishers
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if 'other direct costs' are not well-managed.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Limited visibility into specific e-learning content and its utilization.
- Long contract duration without clear exit strategy or review points.
Tags
software-publishers, department-of-defense, va, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $12.1 million to SKILLSOFT (US) LLC. TRAVEL AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS FOR THE BASE YEAR OF THE E-LEARNING CONTRACT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SKILLSOFT (US) 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 $12.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2006-11-01. End: 2011-10-31.
What is the specific scope of e-learning content and services covered by this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract covers 'TRAVEL AND OTHER DIRECT COSTS FOR THE BASE YEAR OF THE E-LEARNING CONTRACT.' While the contractor is Skillsoft, known for a broad range of e-learning content, the exact curriculum, platform features, and support services are not detailed. Understanding the specific offerings is crucial for assessing the contract's true value and relevance to the Army's training objectives.
How does the per-unit cost of e-learning access or content compare to industry standards?
A direct per-unit cost benchmark is not available as the contract type is Firm Fixed Price for the base year, covering a broad scope of services rather than individual units. To assess this, one would need to analyze the number of users, the types of courses accessed, and compare Skillsoft's pricing model for similar government or commercial clients. Without this granular data, a precise per-unit cost comparison is not feasible.
What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and relevance of the e-learning content over the contract's duration?
The data does not specify the mechanisms for ensuring content effectiveness and relevance. Typically, government contracts include performance standards, user feedback collection, and periodic reviews. The Department of the Army would be responsible for monitoring usage, soliciting feedback from trainees, and ensuring the content aligns with evolving military needs and technological advancements to maintain its value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Information › Software Publishers › Software Publishers
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: W91QUZ06R0019
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Skillsoft Corporation (UEI: 864416412)
Address: 107 NORTHEASTERN BLVD., NASHUA, NH, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $25,953,627
Exercised Options: $12,685,558
Current Obligation: $12,090,511
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2006-11-01
Current End Date: 2011-10-31
Potential End Date: 2011-10-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-02-05
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