VA awards $3.2M task order to Ascellon Corp for management consulting services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,217,542 ($3.2M)

Contractor: Ascellon Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2026-01-07

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 83 days

Daily Burn Rate: $38.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TASK ORDER FY2026 Q2

Place of Performance

Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20785

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $3.2 million to ASCELLON CORPORATION for work described as: TASK ORDER FY2026 Q2 Key points: 1. The contract value represents a modest investment within the broader administrative management consulting sector. 2. Ascellon Corporation, the awardee, has a history of performing government contracts. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable costs. 4. The short duration of the task order implies a focused, short-term project. 5. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad search for qualified vendors. 6. The specific NAICS code points to general management consulting, a common service for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The task order value of $3.2 million is relatively small compared to larger, multi-year consulting engagements. Benchmarking against similar administrative management consulting contracts awarded by the VA or other agencies would provide further context on value for money. The firm-fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government when the scope is well-defined, as it shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. Without detailed performance metrics or comparison data, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the price appears reasonable for the stated services and duration.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that the VA sought proposals from all responsible sources. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. The agency likely evaluated proposals based on a combination of technical merit, past performance, and price to ensure the best value was obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and innovative solutions, ultimately leading to more efficient use of public funds.

Public Impact

The Department of Veterans Affairs benefits from enhanced administrative management and general management consulting services. The services delivered are expected to improve operational efficiency and strategic planning within the VA. The geographic impact is primarily within the VA's administrative structure, potentially affecting operations nationwide. Workforce implications are likely to involve support for existing VA personnel through improved processes and guidance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the project's objectives are not tightly managed.
Dependence on contractor expertise may limit internal knowledge transfer if not actively managed.
Ensuring alignment with broader VA strategic goals requires continuous oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established corporation suggests a degree of reliability and experience.
Full and open competition promotes a fair and transparent procurement process.

Sector Analysis

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) is a significant sector within the federal contracting landscape, encompassing a wide range of advisory and assistance services. Federal agencies frequently procure these services to improve efficiency, implement new strategies, and manage complex operations. Spending in this category can fluctuate based on agency priorities and the need for specialized expertise. This contract fits within the broader trend of agencies seeking external support for management functions.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a task order under a larger contract vehicle, the subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the terms of the prime contract and Ascellon Corporation's subcontracting plan. Without specific details on subcontracting goals or performance, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily reside with the Department of Veterans Affairs contracting officer and the program manager responsible for the consulting services. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability by linking payment to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance reports are typically internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Management and Financial Consulting, Acquisition and Commercialization Support Services
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs)
Strategic Planning and Management Consulting

Risk Flags

Short contract duration may limit long-term impact or knowledge transfer.
Scope definition clarity is crucial for firm-fixed-price success.
Performance metrics and oversight effectiveness are key to ensuring value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $3.2 million to ASCELLON CORPORATION. TASK ORDER FY2026 Q2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ASCELLON CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-01-07. End: 2026-03-31.

What is Ascellon Corporation's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Veterans Affairs?

Ascellon Corporation has a history of performing federal contracts across various agencies. While specific details on their VA contract history require deeper database analysis, their presence as an awardee suggests they have met the necessary qualifications and performance standards for government work. Analyzing past performance reviews, contract modifications, and any past disputes or terminations would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and effectiveness as a federal contractor. Their ability to secure this task order indicates continued confidence from federal agencies in their service capabilities.

How does the $3.2 million value of this task order compare to typical administrative management consulting contracts?

The $3.2 million value for this task order is considered moderate within the realm of federal administrative management consulting. Many large-scale consulting engagements can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars over several years. This particular task order, with a duration of approximately three months (January 7, 2026, to March 31, 2026), suggests a focused scope of work rather than a broad, long-term strategic initiative. Benchmarking against similar short-term, specialized consulting task orders awarded by the VA or other agencies would provide a more precise comparison point for assessing value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price task order, and how are they mitigated?

The primary risk with a firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract is that the contractor may cut corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if costs exceed expectations. For this task order, risks could include scope creep if the VA's needs evolve beyond the initial definition, or if the contractor's understanding of the requirements is incomplete. Mitigation strategies include a clearly defined Statement of Work (SOW), robust performance monitoring by the VA, regular progress meetings, and strict change control processes. The short duration also inherently limits the potential for significant deviations or prolonged issues.

What does the 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code imply about the services to be rendered?

The NAICS code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services,' indicates that the contract is for expert advice and assistance to government agencies on organization, planning, management, and administrative procedures. This can encompass a wide range of services, including strategic planning, organizational design, process improvement, performance management, and general management support. The specific services under this task order would be detailed in the Statement of Work, but the NAICS code provides a broad categorization of the expertise Ascellon Corporation is expected to provide to the VA.

What is the significance of the contract being awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION'?

Awarding this task order under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' signifies that the Department of Veterans Affairs made the contract opportunity available to all responsible sources capable of meeting the requirements. This procurement method is generally preferred as it maximizes competition, potentially leading to better pricing, higher quality services, and innovative solutions for the government. It implies that the VA conducted a thorough market research process and did not restrict the competition to specific contractors or contract vehicles, thereby ensuring a fair and transparent process for all potential bidders.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8201 CORPORATE DR STE 1200, HYATTSVILLE, MD, 20785

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,217,542

Exercised Options: $3,217,542

Current Obligation: $3,217,542

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 36C10G22D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline