DHS awards $3.68M for advanced analytics technical services to Ardent Management Consulting

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,685,466 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Ardent Management Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-09-30

End Date: 2025-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ADVANCED ANALYTICS BRANCH TECHNICAL SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: TULSA, TULSA County, OKLAHOMA, 74135

State: Oklahoma Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3.7 million to ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: ADVANCED ANALYTICS BRANCH TECHNICAL SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded under a GSA Federal Supply Schedule, suggesting pre-negotiated pricing and streamlined acquisition. 2. The contract is a BPA Call, indicating it's a task order against an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement. 3. Fixed-price contract type generally shifts risk to the contractor, potentially leading to more predictable costs. 4. The contractor, Ardent Management Consulting, LLC, has a track record that warrants further investigation for performance consistency. 5. The contract duration of 1095 days (3 years) provides a stable period for service delivery. 6. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a broad search for qualified vendors.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.68 million over three years for advanced analytics technical services appears moderate. Benchmarking against similar contracts for custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511) is necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive. The fixed-price nature of the contract suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for value if the contractor is experienced and efficient. However, without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection sought proposals from all responsible sources. The presence of 4 bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for this requirement. A competitive process generally helps ensure that the government receives fair market prices and that the chosen contractor offers the best value proposition. The specific details of the bidding process and the evaluation criteria would provide further insight into the effectiveness of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically drives down prices and encourages innovation, leading to better utilization of public funds.

Public Impact

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the primary beneficiary, receiving advanced analytics technical services. These services are expected to support CBP's mission in areas such as border security, trade facilitation, and law enforcement. The contract is geographically located in Oklahoma, suggesting a concentration of technical support activities in that region. The contract may have implications for the workforce in Oklahoma, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the advanced analytics and IT services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical advanced analytics services could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring the contractor's personnel possess the necessary security clearances and expertise for sensitive government data.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Fixed-price contract type aligns incentives for efficient delivery.
Contract duration provides stability for service continuity.
The contractor is operating under a GSA Schedule, which implies adherence to certain pricing and quality standards.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming and advanced analytics. The market for these services is large and growing, driven by increasing data volumes and the need for sophisticated analytical capabilities across government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT services, particularly those involving data analytics and specialized technical support, would typically range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the scope and complexity. This contract's value of approximately $1.2 million per year is within a common range for such specialized technical support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awarded contractor, Ardent Management Consulting, LLC, is not explicitly identified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside implications. However, the contract's value and nature may present subcontracting opportunities for small businesses if Ardent Management Consulting chooses to engage them for specialized tasks or support services. The impact on the broader small business ecosystem would depend on whether subcontracting plans are implemented and utilized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection contracting officer and program managers. As a task order under a GSA Schedule BPA Call, there are established procurement regulations and oversight mechanisms governing its administration. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. The Inspector General for the Department of Homeland Security would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

GSA Federal Supply Schedule
Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs)
Custom Computer Programming Services
Advanced Analytics Services
Department of Homeland Security IT Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues if contractor lacks specific expertise.
Risk of cost overruns if scope is not well-defined for fixed-price contract.
Data security and privacy concerns with sensitive government information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3.7 million to ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC. ADVANCED ANALYTICS BRANCH TECHNICAL SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ARDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2025-09-29.

What is the track record of Ardent Management Consulting, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in advanced analytics?

Ardent Management Consulting, LLC has been awarded federal contracts, including this one from DHS. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal their performance on previous engagements, including on-time delivery, quality of services, and adherence to budget. Specifically for advanced analytics, it's important to ascertain if they have a portfolio of successful projects demonstrating expertise in data science, machine learning, and predictive modeling. Examining past performance evaluations and any reported issues or successes would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability as a contractor for critical technical services.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar advanced analytics services procured by the government?

The contract value of $3.68 million over three years, averaging approximately $1.23 million annually, needs to be benchmarked against similar advanced analytics technical services. This comparison should consider contracts awarded by agencies of similar size and mission, under comparable contract types (e.g., fixed-price) and competition levels. Factors such as the specific deliverables, required expertise, and duration of service significantly influence pricing. Without access to a detailed breakdown of the services provided and the specific labor categories and rates, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the fact that it was competitively procured under a GSA Schedule suggests an effort to achieve fair market pricing.

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

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or the detailed performance measurement plan for this contract. Typically, for advanced analytics technical services, KPIs might include metrics related to the accuracy of predictive models, the efficiency of data processing, the timeliness of report generation, and the successful integration of analytical tools. The contracting officer's representative (COR) at U.S. Customs and Border Protection would be responsible for monitoring performance against these KPIs. A robust performance management system is crucial to ensure that the government receives the intended value and that the contractor meets its obligations effectively.

What is the historical spending pattern for advanced analytics technical services within U.S. Customs and Border Protection?

To understand the historical spending pattern for advanced analytics technical services within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), one would need to analyze procurement data over several fiscal years. This analysis should identify all contracts awarded for similar services, including their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding this pattern helps determine if the current $3.68 million award is consistent with past investments, represents an increase or decrease in spending, and whether it aligns with evolving agency priorities in data analytics. It also helps identify trends in contractor selection and potential consolidation or diversification of the vendor base.

What are the potential risks associated with the fixed-price contract type for advanced analytics services?

While fixed-price contracts are generally favored for cost predictability, they can introduce risks for advanced analytics services if the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. If the contractor underestimates the complexity or effort required, they may incur losses, potentially leading to reduced quality, attempts to cut corners, or even contract termination. Conversely, if the scope is too loosely defined, the government might not receive the full benefit of the analytics if the contractor focuses only on the minimum required. Effective contract management, clear statement of work, and robust communication channels are essential to mitigate these risks.

How does the use of a GSA Schedule BPA Call impact the overall cost and efficiency of this acquisition?

Utilizing a GSA Schedule BPA Call generally enhances efficiency and can lead to cost savings. GSA Schedules involve pre-negotiated pricing and terms, reducing the time and resources needed for contract negotiation and award. A Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) further streamlines the process by establishing preferred vendor arrangements and pre-approved contract terms for recurring needs. A BPA Call is a specific order against that BPA. This method allows agencies to quickly procure needed services, often at competitive prices already vetted through the GSA Schedule process, thereby reducing administrative burden and accelerating delivery.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70B03C22Q00000309

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1945 OLD GALLOWS RD STE 540B, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,685,466

Exercised Options: $3,685,466

Current Obligation: $3,685,466

Actual Outlays: $3,581,741

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70RTAC19A00000004

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline