DoD's $16.7M ROTC Alternate Staffing contract awarded to Communication Technologies, Inc. for training services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,723,177 ($16.7M)

Contractor: Communication Technologies, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2010-09-27

End Date: 2010-12-26

Contract Duration: 90 days

Daily Burn Rate: $185.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ROTC ALTERNATE STAFFING

Place of Performance

Location: CHANTILLY, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20151

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $16.7 million to COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC for work described as: ROTC ALTERNATE STAFFING Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature of the contract, though specific performance metrics are not detailed. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding process, which can drive better pricing. 3. The contract duration of 90 days is relatively short, indicating a focused scope of work. 4. Performance context is limited to professional and management development training, a common service area. 5. Sector positioning is within professional services, supporting educational and training needs for the military. 6. The award amount of $16.7M falls within a typical range for specialized training contracts of this nature.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $16.7 million for a 90-day period for ROTC alternate staffing training is substantial. Benchmarking against similar professional development contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests the contractor assumes the risk for cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the services are delivered as specified. The award amount is not exceptionally high or low for specialized training services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 6 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This broad competition is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process like this typically benefits taxpayers by driving down costs and encouraging efficient service delivery from multiple potential providers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Army and its ROTC programs, receiving essential staffing and training support. Services delivered include professional and management development training, crucial for preparing future military leaders. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around ROTC program locations, primarily educational institutions across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential engagement of trainers and support staff by Communication Technologies, Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and quality of the training provided.
The specific nature of 'alternate staffing' is not fully defined, raising questions about the exact services rendered.
Limited contract duration might indicate a pilot program or a short-term need, potentially leading to follow-on contracts with less competition.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type shifts cost risk to the contractor, potentially leading to better budget predictability.
The contractor, Communication Technologies, Inc., has experience in providing professional and management development training.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional and management development training sector, a segment of the broader professional services industry. This sector supports various government agencies in enhancing the skills and capabilities of their personnel. The market size for such training services is significant, with numerous private sector companies offering specialized programs. This contract represents a specific instance of federal spending within this niche, supporting military education and leadership development.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this award, as 'sb' is false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract appears limited, unless Communication Technologies, Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of the Army. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally provided through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Training Programs
ROTC Program Support
Professional Development Services
Management Training Contracts
Federal Education Support

Risk Flags

Potential for service quality degradation under FFP if cost controls are overly aggressive.
Ambiguity in 'alternate staffing' definition could lead to scope disputes.
Short contract duration may indicate a need for future, potentially less competitive, follow-on contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $16.7 million to COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ROTC ALTERNATE STAFFING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $16.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2010-09-27. End: 2010-12-26.

What is the specific nature of the 'ROTC Alternate Staffing' services provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'ROTC ALTERNATE STAFFING' and falls under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611430, which pertains to Professional and Management Development Training. While the exact definition of 'alternate staffing' in this context is not explicitly detailed in the summary data, it likely refers to providing supplementary personnel or specialized training services to support the operational needs of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs. This could encompass administrative support, specialized instructional roles, or logistical assistance that augments the regular staffing of ROTC units, ensuring the smooth execution of training and educational objectives for future military officers. The firm-fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of services for the $16.7 million award.

How does the $16.7 million contract value compare to similar ROTC support or training contracts?

Directly comparing the $16.7 million value of this ROTC Alternate Staffing contract to similar contracts is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of all ROTC support and training awards, including their specific scopes of work and durations. However, considering it's a firm-fixed-price contract awarded under full and open competition with six bidders, the amount suggests a significant undertaking. Contracts for specialized training and support services for large federal programs can range widely. For a 90-day period, $16.7 million is a substantial sum, implying either a high-demand service, a broad scope of training, or a high per-unit cost for the services rendered. Without more granular data on comparable contracts, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this value as high, low, or average.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm-fixed-price contract for training services?

The primary risk with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract, while generally favorable for budget certainty, is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if their cost estimates were inaccurate or unforeseen issues arise. For training services, this could manifest as reduced training effectiveness, less experienced instructors, or insufficient materials. Conversely, if the contractor accurately estimates costs and delivers high-quality services, the FFP structure benefits the government by locking in the price. The government's risk is primarily in ensuring the contract's Statement of Work is precise and that robust inspection/acceptance procedures are in place to verify that the contracted services meet all requirements.

What does the number of bidders (6) indicate about the competition for this ROTC staffing contract?

The fact that six bidders submitted proposals for this ROTC Alternate Staffing contract, awarded under full and open competition, suggests a reasonably competitive market for these services. A higher number of bidders generally indicates that the requirement was well-defined, accessible to a range of potential providers, and that the anticipated profit margins were attractive enough to warrant multiple companies investing resources in preparing bids. This level of competition typically leads to better pricing for the government and encourages contractors to offer high-quality services to win the award. It also implies that the barrier to entry for bidding was not excessively high.

What is the historical spending pattern for ROTC Alternate Staffing or similar services by the Department of the Army?

Historical spending patterns for 'ROTC Alternate Staffing' specifically are not detailed in the provided data. However, the Department of the Army, like other branches of the military, consistently invests in training and support services to maintain and enhance its personnel readiness and leadership development programs, such as ROTC. Spending on professional and management development training (NAICS 611430) is a recurring expenditure across the federal government. Analyzing past contracts for ROTC support, cadet training, or auxiliary staffing services would be necessary to establish a trend. The $16.7 million awarded in 2010 suggests a significant, albeit potentially episodic, investment in such specialized support.

What is the track record of Communication Technologies, Inc. in providing government contracts, particularly for training?

The provided data identifies Communication Technologies, Inc. as the contractor for this $16.7 million ROTC Alternate Staffing contract. While the data confirms their role and the contract's nature (professional and management development training), it does not offer details on their broader track record, past performance ratings, or experience with other government agencies or contract types. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for a history of their awards, performance evaluations, and any potential past issues or commendations. Their selection for this contract suggests they met the qualifications required under the full and open competition.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912SU07R0007

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14151 NEWBROOK DR STE 400, CHANTILLY, VA, 90

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,723,177

Exercised Options: $16,723,177

Current Obligation: $16,723,177

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W912SU07D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline