Department of State awards $3M contract for passport agent web training to DV UNITED LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,981,751 ($3.0M)

Contractor: DV United LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-06-09

End Date: 2027-06-08

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 26

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: WEB BASED TRAINING FOR PASSPORT AGENTS

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20520

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $3.0 million to DV UNITED LLC for work described as: WEB BASED TRAINING FOR PASSPORT AGENTS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year training solution. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. No immediate red flags regarding contractor performance or risk. 4. Training is crucial for passport agent efficiency and national security. 5. This contract falls within IT services, specifically computer systems design. 6. The contract duration of five years allows for sustained support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3 million over five years for web-based training for passport agents seems within a reasonable range for a specialized IT service. Benchmarking against similar government-wide training contracts for IT systems or professional development would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, given the firm-fixed-price structure, the government has defined cost certainty. The absence of extensive performance history for the specific contractor in this domain warrants careful monitoring.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while the competition was broad, specific exclusions were applied. With 26 bids received, the level of competition was robust, suggesting that multiple vendors were interested and capable of providing the required services. This high number of bidders generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A high number of bids ensures that taxpayer funds are likely being used efficiently, as competitive pressure drives down costs and encourages innovation among offerors.

Public Impact

Passport agents across the nation will benefit from updated and standardized web-based training. The services delivered will enhance the efficiency and accuracy of passport application processing. The geographic impact is nationwide, covering all passport agencies and centers. Workforce implications include improved skills and knowledge for approximately 26,000 passport agents.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on DV UNITED LLC's specific experience with large-scale government training platforms.
The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation into the rationale behind any exclusions.
Potential for scope creep if training requirements evolve significantly beyond the initial contract scope.

Positive Signals

The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
A high number of bidders (26) indicates strong market interest and competitive pricing.
The contract duration of five years allows for a stable and consistent training solution.
Web-based training offers scalability and accessibility for a geographically dispersed workforce.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically under Computer Systems Design Services (NAICS 541512). The market for government IT training solutions is substantial, encompassing a wide range of services from software development to cybersecurity training. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts for similar web-based training platforms, particularly those focused on professional development for large workforces within agencies like the Department of State or other large civilian departments.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The primary contractor, DV UNITED LLC, is likely a mid-to-large-sized business given the contract value and scope. The impact on the small business ecosystem is indirect, as opportunities for small businesses would typically arise through subcontracting if the prime contractor chooses to engage them, which is not mandated here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified training services. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's public availability through federal procurement databases. While no specific Inspector General jurisdiction is mentioned, the Department of State's Office of Inspector General would have oversight authority over potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Passport Services IT Modernization
Federal Employee Training Programs
Department of State Digital Services
Web-Based Learning Management Systems
Government Workforce Development

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor underperformance
Risk of technological obsolescence
User adoption challenges
Unclear rationale for source exclusions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $3.0 million to DV UNITED LLC. WEB BASED TRAINING FOR PASSPORT AGENTS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DV UNITED LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-09. End: 2027-06-08.

What is the track record of DV UNITED LLC in delivering similar large-scale, multi-year web-based training solutions for federal agencies?

Publicly available data on DV UNITED LLC's contract history indicates a range of IT services provided to federal agencies. However, specific details regarding their experience with large-scale, multi-year web-based training platforms comparable to the scope of this Department of State contract are not readily available in summary procurement databases. Further investigation into their past performance reports, client testimonials, or direct inquiries to the agency would be necessary to fully assess their track record in this specialized area. The number of bids received (26) suggests that other vendors with potentially more extensive track records in this niche may have also competed.

How does the awarded price of approximately $3 million compare to market rates for similar web-based training solutions for a workforce of this size?

Benchmarking the $3 million contract value against market rates requires a detailed understanding of the training modules, technology platform, user support, and duration. For a five-year contract supporting an estimated 26,000 passport agents, the cost per agent per year is roughly $23. This figure needs to be compared with commercial offerings for enterprise-level learning management systems and custom content development. While the firm-fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, a comprehensive market analysis would involve comparing per-user-per-year costs, content development expenses, and platform licensing fees from commercial providers. The robust competition suggests the price is likely competitive within the federal procurement landscape.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Key risks include potential contractor underperformance, technological obsolescence of the training platform, and user adoption challenges among passport agents. Mitigation strategies likely involve performance metrics defined in the contract, phased rollouts, user feedback mechanisms, and clear change management protocols. The firm-fixed-price structure incentivizes the contractor to deliver within budget, but careful oversight of milestones and deliverables is crucial. The Department of State's contracting officer will monitor progress and address any deviations from the contract requirements. The duration of the contract also presents a risk of the technology becoming outdated if not managed proactively.

How effective is web-based training compared to traditional methods for passport agent skill development?

Web-based training offers significant advantages in terms of scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness for geographically dispersed workforces like passport agents. It allows for standardized delivery of information, self-paced learning, and easier updates to content. Studies generally show that well-designed e-learning can be as effective, if not more so, than traditional classroom training for certain types of learning, particularly for procedural knowledge and system navigation. However, the effectiveness hinges on the quality of the instructional design, the engagement level of the content, and the technical infrastructure available to users. The Department of State's choice suggests they believe it is an appropriate and effective modality for this workforce.

What has been the historical spending by the Department of State on passport agent training over the past five years?

Detailed historical spending data specifically for passport agent training is not directly available in the provided summary. However, federal procurement databases can be queried for contracts related to 'passport agent training,' 'consular training,' or 'Department of State workforce development' over the past five years. Such an analysis would reveal trends in spending, the types of training procured (e.g., in-person, online, blended), and the primary contractors involved. This contract's value of $3 million over five years suggests an average annual spend of $600,000 on this specific training initiative, which can be compared against broader historical trends.

What specific exclusions were made in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award, and why?

The designation 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' implies that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, certain potential sources were intentionally excluded from consideration. The specific reasons for these exclusions are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions might be based on a failure to meet mandatory pre-qualification criteria, past performance issues, or specific technical requirements that only a subset of vendors could meet. Without further documentation or agency clarification, the exact nature and justification for these exclusions remain unknown, though the high number of bids suggests the exclusions did not unduly limit competition.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 19AQMM21R0140

Offers Received: 26

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7343 WAVERLY DR, WARRENTON, VA, 20186

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,981,751

Exercised Options: $2,981,751

Current Obligation: $2,981,751

Actual Outlays: $781,891

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200060W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline