Interior Department's $44K AutoCAD Training Contract Awarded to CADD Microsystems, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,987 ($44.0K)

Contractor: Cadd Microsystems, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-10-01

End Date: 2023-12-31

Contract Duration: 456 days

Daily Burn Rate: $96/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: AUTOCAD TRAINING FOR FY2023

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22310

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $43,986.92 to CADD MICROSYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: AUTOCAD TRAINING FOR FY2023 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of the training. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential price overruns. 3. Risk indicators are low due to the relatively small contract value and specific training focus. 4. Performance context is limited to a single purchase order for FY2023-2024. 5. Sector positioning is within the IT training and professional development category.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $43,986.92 for AutoCAD training is modest. Without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts or assess if the pricing represents optimal value for money. However, specialized software training can command higher per-hour rates, suggesting the price might be reasonable if the training quality and scope are appropriate for the agency's needs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, meaning it was not competed. This approach limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to offer their services, potentially leading to higher prices than if a competitive process had been employed. The lack of competition means the agency did not benefit from a broader market exploration for training providers.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. This could result in funds being spent at a higher rate than necessary for the training services.

Public Impact

Federal employees within the Department of the Interior, specifically the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement, are the primary beneficiaries. The services delivered include specialized computer training in AutoCAD software. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the agency's Virginia operations, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include enhanced technical skills for employees using CAD software for their job functions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Limited transparency on the specific training curriculum and its direct impact on agency objectives.

Positive Signals

Contract supports essential technical skills development for agency personnel.
Specialized training addresses a specific software requirement for the agency.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader IT services and professional development sector, specifically focusing on specialized software training. The market for such training is diverse, with numerous providers offering courses on widely used software like AutoCAD. Benchmarking spending in this area is challenging without more specific details on the training hours, curriculum, and instructor qualifications. However, the overall federal spending on IT training is substantial.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have a small business set-aside component. There is no information available regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this specific award. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore negligible for this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Department of the Interior's internal procurement policies and the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement's management. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of the training as specified in the purchase order. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the relatively small contract value, which may not trigger extensive public reporting beyond basic contract award data.

Related Government Programs

Federal IT Training Programs
Professional Development Services
Computer Software Training

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $43,986.92 to CADD MICROSYSTEMS, INC.. AUTOCAD TRAINING FOR FY2023

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CADD MICROSYSTEMS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43,986.92.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-01. End: 2023-12-31.

What is the track record of CADD Microsystems, Inc. in providing government training services?

CADD Microsystems, Inc. has a history of providing training services, including AutoCAD, to various government entities. Their experience often includes offering both on-site and remote training sessions tailored to specific agency needs. While this particular contract is a sole-source award, their broader portfolio may include competitively won contracts, indicating a level of established capability. Further analysis would require examining their past performance evaluations and contract history across different agencies to fully assess their track record and reliability in delivering quality training.

How does the cost of this training compare to market rates for similar AutoCAD training?

Benchmarking the cost of this $43,986.92 AutoCAD training contract against market rates is challenging without specific details on the number of training hours, the number of attendees, and the specific curriculum covered. General market rates for AutoCAD training can vary significantly, from a few hundred dollars per person for a basic online course to several thousand dollars for intensive, customized, on-site training for multiple employees. Given the sole-source nature of this award, it's difficult to ascertain if the price reflects competitive market value or if it is inflated due to the lack of competition. A comparative analysis with publicly available training catalogs from other providers for similar course structures would be necessary for a more precise assessment.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source training contract?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source training contract is the potential for suboptimal pricing due to the absence of competition. Without bids from multiple vendors, the Department of the Interior may not have secured the most cost-effective training solution available in the market. Another risk is the potential for the training content or delivery method to be less effective or relevant than what could have been achieved through a competitive process where vendors might differentiate themselves on quality and customization. Furthermore, the lack of transparency inherent in sole-source awards can obscure potential inefficiencies or quality issues that might be exposed during a competitive evaluation.

How effective is this training likely to be for the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement?

The effectiveness of this AutoCAD training for the Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is contingent upon several factors not fully detailed in the award data. Key determinants include the relevance of the specific AutoCAD modules taught to the daily tasks of the employees receiving the training, the quality and experience of the instructors provided by CADD Microsystems, Inc., and the extent to which the training is customized to OSMRE's specific workflows and projects. If the training directly addresses critical skill gaps and enhances employees' ability to perform their duties related to land reclamation, mining oversight, or environmental modeling, its effectiveness could be high. Conversely, if the training is generic or poorly aligned with job requirements, its impact may be limited.

What are the historical spending patterns for AutoCAD training within the Department of the Interior?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for AutoCAD training within the Department of the Interior (DOI) requires access to comprehensive federal procurement databases. Without such data, it's difficult to provide specific figures or trends. However, it is reasonable to assume that the DOI, with its diverse responsibilities including land management, resource extraction oversight, and environmental monitoring, utilizes CAD software extensively. Therefore, spending on AutoCAD training is likely a recurring necessity across various bureaus and offices. The pattern could range from sporadic, small-value training events to more structured, larger-scale programs depending on agency-wide software adoption cycles, new employee onboarding, and evolving technological requirements. This specific $43,986.92 award represents a single data point within potentially broader, less visible spending.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6361 WALKER LN STE 400, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22310

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $43,987

Exercised Options: $43,987

Current Obligation: $43,987

Actual Outlays: $43,987

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline