Interior awards $6M contract for National Guard education system, highlighting administrative management needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,013,655 ($6.0M)

Contractor: Interactive Government Holdings, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-02-01

End Date: 2030-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE NATIONAL GUARD CONNECTEDNESS AND RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION SYSTEM (CARES)

Place of Performance

Location: SPRINGFIELD, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22150

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $6.0 million to INTERACTIVE GOVERNMENT HOLDINGS, INC. for work described as: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE NATIONAL GUARD CONNECTEDNESS AND RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION SYSTEM (CARES) Key points: 1. Contract focuses on implementing and managing a relationship education system for the National Guard. 2. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services are central to this award. 3. The contract duration of 5 years suggests a need for sustained support and development. 4. A firm-fixed-price contract type indicates predictable costs for the government. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of approximately $6 million over five years averages to $1.2 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for administrative management and consulting services requires detailed analysis of scope and deliverables. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a degree of cost control. Without specific performance metrics or comparable project costs, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides a positive signal.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition typically leads to better pricing for taxpayers by encouraging multiple companies to offer their best terms and services.

Public Impact

The National Guard will benefit from improved connectedness and relationship education. This contract supports the development and management of a critical internal system. The primary beneficiaries are National Guard personnel who will engage with the CARES system. The geographic impact is national, serving the entire National Guard across various locations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the system's requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for implementation and ongoing management could pose risks if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Full and open competition suggests a well-defined requirement and market interest.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained focus and development of the system.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional Services sector, specifically Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. This sector is characterized by a wide range of services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness. The market size for such services is substantial, with numerous firms competing for government contracts. This award represents a specific application of these services to support a unique organizational need within the National Guard.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if Interactive Government Holdings, Inc. chooses to engage them. Without explicit subcontracting plans mandated in the award, the direct benefit to the small business ecosystem is uncertain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency will depend on the agency's reporting practices and the public availability of contract performance information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Guard Personnel Management Systems
Department of Defense Training and Education Programs
Government IT Implementation Services
Management Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep
Long-term contractor dependency
Technological obsolescence risk
Performance monitoring challenges over extended duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $6.0 million to INTERACTIVE GOVERNMENT HOLDINGS, INC.. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE NATIONAL GUARD CONNECTEDNESS AND RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION SYSTEM (CARES)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INTERACTIVE GOVERNMENT HOLDINGS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-01. End: 2030-01-31.

What is the specific scope of the National Guard Connectedness and Relationship Education System (CARES)?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE NATIONAL GUARD CONNECTEDNESS AND RELATIONSHIP EDUCATION SYSTEM (CARES)'. While the exact functionalities are not detailed, the name suggests a system designed to foster connections and provide educational resources related to relationships among National Guard members. This could encompass areas like team cohesion, leadership development, family support, or mental wellness initiatives. Further details on the system's modules, user interface, and intended outcomes would be necessary for a comprehensive understanding of its scope.

How does the $6 million award compare to similar administrative management consulting contracts?

The $6 million award over five years, averaging $1.2 million annually, is a moderate-sized contract within the administrative management and consulting services domain. Benchmarking requires comparing the specific deliverables, complexity, and duration against similar contracts awarded by federal agencies. Contracts for large-scale system implementation and management can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. The firm-fixed-price structure and full and open competition suggest a potentially competitive price point, but a direct comparison would necessitate access to detailed contract databases and analysis of comparable scopes of work.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) expected for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for a system implementation and management contract, KPIs would focus on aspects such as system uptime, user adoption rates, successful completion of training modules, user satisfaction, and the achievement of specific relationship or connectedness goals within the National Guard. The Department of the Interior and the National Guard would establish these metrics to ensure the system effectively meets its objectives and provides value.

What is Interactive Government Holdings, Inc.'s track record with similar government contracts?

Interactive Government Holdings, Inc. (IGH) has a history of securing and performing on government contracts, particularly within the IT and professional services sectors. While specific details on their past performance with relationship education systems are not provided, their award by the Department of the Interior for this CARES system suggests they possess relevant capabilities. A deeper analysis would involve reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations (if publicly available), and their experience with similar system implementations and management for federal or state agencies.

What are the potential risks associated with a 5-year contract for system implementation and management?

A significant risk with a 5-year contract for system implementation and management is the potential for technological obsolescence if the system is not regularly updated or adapted to evolving needs. Another risk is contractor performance degradation over time, or 'contractor drift,' where the contractor may become complacent or less responsive. Furthermore, changes in government requirements or priorities over a five-year period could necessitate contract modifications, potentially impacting cost and schedule. Ensuring robust oversight and clear performance standards throughout the contract duration is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does this contract align with broader federal initiatives in workforce development or digital transformation?

This contract aligns with broader federal initiatives by focusing on enhancing the capabilities and well-being of a critical segment of the national workforce – the National Guard. By implementing and managing a system for connectedness and relationship education, it supports human capital development and readiness. In terms of digital transformation, the contract involves the implementation and management of a system, which inherently contributes to the modernization of government operations and service delivery through technology. It reflects a commitment to leveraging digital tools for internal organizational improvement and support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFQ1721729

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7426 ALBAN STATION BLVD STE B218, SPRINGFIELD, VA, 22150

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,270,946

Exercised Options: $6,013,655

Current Obligation: $6,013,655

Actual Outlays: $2,990,596

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D00BT

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline