USPTO's $61.3M Knowledge Management Contract Awarded to ASRC Federal for Training and Library Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $61,342,241 ($61.3M)

Contractor: Asrc Federal Professional Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2020-05-16

End Date: 2025-08-20

Contract Duration: 1,922 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE'S KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDING TRAINING AND LIBRARY SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BELTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20705

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $61.3 million to ASRC FEDERAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE'S KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDING TRAINING AND LIBRARY SERVICES Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair, with a significant investment in essential knowledge management functions. 2. Competition was robust, indicating potential for competitive pricing and a wide selection of qualified bidders. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with contract type and performance period requiring careful monitoring. 4. Performance context suggests a focus on maintaining and enhancing critical information resources. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the administrative and information services segment of government contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $61.3 million over its period of performance is substantial for knowledge management services. Benchmarking against similar government-wide contracts for library and training services is challenging without more granular data on the specific tasks performed. However, the duration and scope suggest a significant investment in maintaining the USPTO's intellectual capital and operational efficiency. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, necessitates close oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with value delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of four bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. This competitive environment generally supports price discovery and encourages contractors to offer competitive terms.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award is beneficial for taxpayers, as it likely resulted in a more favorable price than a sole-source or limited competition scenario.

Public Impact

USPTO employees benefit from enhanced access to training and library resources, supporting their work in patent and trademark examination. Services delivered include the management of physical and digital libraries, training program development and delivery, and knowledge sharing initiatives. Geographic impact is primarily national, supporting the USPTO's operations across its facilities. Workforce implications include the potential for continued employment for existing staff and the need for specialized skills in information management and training.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
The extended performance period (over 5 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical knowledge management functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment.
ASRC Federal's experience in government contracting provides a foundation for successful performance.
The contract aims to support essential USPTO functions, indicating strategic importance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on information management, library services, and training. The market for these services within the federal government is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in knowledge management to support operations and innovation. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts supporting large federal libraries, research institutions, or agency-wide training programs.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside component for this award (ss: false, sb: false). While ASRC Federal is a large business, the subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the knowledge management and training domains should be assessed to understand their potential impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms would typically involve the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) at the USPTO, who is responsible for monitoring contractor performance, ensuring compliance with contract terms, and approving invoices. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK)
General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule contracts for professional services
Training and Development services contracts across federal agencies

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure service quality and value.
Contract duration requires sustained oversight and adaptation to evolving needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $61.3 million to ASRC FEDERAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC. UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE'S KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INCLUDING TRAINING AND LIBRARY SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASRC FEDERAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $61.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-05-16. End: 2025-08-20.

What is the historical spending trend for knowledge management services at the USPTO prior to this contract?

Analyzing historical spending on knowledge management, training, and library services at the USPTO would provide crucial context for evaluating the $61.3 million award. Without specific prior year data, it's difficult to determine if this represents an increase, decrease, or stable investment. However, agencies typically maintain consistent funding for these core functions. Understanding past expenditures can help identify trends in service needs, potential cost efficiencies achieved or missed, and the overall strategic importance placed on knowledge management over time. This historical perspective is vital for assessing whether the current contract value is aligned with long-term agency priorities and resource allocation.

How does the per-hour or per-deliverable cost for ASRC Federal compare to market rates for similar knowledge management services?

A detailed comparison of ASRC Federal's per-unit costs against market rates for similar knowledge management, training, and library services is essential for a robust value-for-money assessment. This would involve analyzing the labor categories, rates, and overhead applied by ASRC Federal against industry benchmarks for comparable roles and services. Factors such as the specific skill sets required, the complexity of the tasks, and the geographic location of service delivery influence market rates. If ASRC Federal's rates are significantly higher than market averages without clear justification (e.g., unique expertise, higher security requirements), it could indicate potential overpricing. Conversely, rates below market might suggest aggressive pricing or potential quality concerns, though competitive bidding often drives rates towards fair market value.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is performance being measured?

The key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract are critical for measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of ASRC Federal's knowledge management services. While not explicitly detailed in the provided data, typical KPIs for such contracts might include metrics related to library resource accessibility, training program completion rates and satisfaction scores, knowledge base utilization, response times for information requests, and the successful implementation of knowledge-sharing initiatives. The contract's success hinges on the USPTO's ability to define, track, and enforce these KPIs. Regular performance reviews, quality assurance checks, and user feedback mechanisms are vital components of oversight to ensure that the services delivered meet the agency's evolving needs and provide tangible value.

What is ASRC Federal's track record with similar government contracts, particularly in knowledge management and library services?

ASRC Federal Professional Services, LLC has a significant track record in providing a wide range of professional and technical services to the U.S. government. Their experience often includes IT support, engineering, and program management across various agencies. For contracts specifically related to knowledge management, library services, and training, a review of their past performance on similar federal contracts would be necessary. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any awards or penalties received, and the scope and complexity of services previously delivered. A strong history of successful performance in related areas suggests a lower risk for this USPTO contract, while any past issues would warrant closer scrutiny of their current approach and management plans.

How does the $61.3M contract value compare to the overall IT or administrative spending at the USPTO?

Placing the $61.3 million contract value within the broader context of the USPTO's overall spending is crucial for understanding its relative significance. The USPTO's budget encompasses various areas, including IT infrastructure, personnel, research, and administrative functions. Knowledge management and library services, while vital, typically represent a segment of the total operational budget. Comparing this contract's value to the USPTO's annual IT budget or its total operating expenses would reveal whether this investment is proportionate to other agency priorities. A significant portion of the budget allocated to this contract might indicate a high strategic emphasis on knowledge management, while a smaller percentage suggests it is one of many important, but not dominant, expenditures.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Other Information Services › Libraries and Archives

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 1333BJ20R00151002

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation

Address: 7000 MUIRKIRK MEADOWS DR #100, BELTSVILLE, MD, 20705

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: $61,342,241

Exercised Options: $61,342,241

Current Obligation: $61,342,241

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 11

Total Subaward Amount: $20,086,836

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline