DHS awards $18.7M for HR Consulting Services to KnowledgeBank, Inc. under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,671,563 ($18.7M)

Contractor: Knowledgebank, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2022-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CISA/CLO TAS: 70-22-0566 ITAR ID: 5446

Place of Performance

Location: LEESBURG, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20175

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $18.7 million to KNOWLEDGEBANK, INC. for work described as: CISA/CLO TAS: 70-22-0566 ITAR ID: 5446 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to KnowledgeBank, Inc. for Human Resources Consulting Services. 2. The contract value is $18,671,563.43 with a duration of 1460 days. 3. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 4. The spending is categorized under IT, though the service is HR Consulting.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $18.7M for HR consulting services appears reasonable given the 4-year duration. Benchmarking against similar large-scale HR consulting contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

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'. This suggests that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded prior to the solicitation, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests efforts to secure fair pricing, but the exclusion of sources warrants further scrutiny to ensure optimal taxpayer value.

Public Impact

Federal agencies rely on HR consulting for workforce management and efficiency. KnowledgeBank, Inc. is a significant player in the government contracting space. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for these services. The classification under IT is unusual for HR consulting and may indicate integrated technology solutions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential misclassification of service under IT category.
Exclusion of sources in a 'full and open' competition needs clarification.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Long-term contract indicates sustained need and potential for stable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

Human Resources Consulting Services are crucial for government operations, supporting workforce planning, talent acquisition, and employee relations. Benchmarks for such services vary widely based on scope and duration, but this $18.7M award over four years suggests a substantial engagement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought through subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations. Standard oversight mechanisms for federal contracts would apply, including performance monitoring and financial accountability.

Related Government Programs

Human Resources Consulting Services
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
Office of Procurement Operations Programs

Risk Flags

Potential misclassification of service category (IT vs. HR Consulting).
Ambiguity in 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources'.
Lack of small business participation noted.
High contract value requires detailed justification and performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $18.7 million to KNOWLEDGEBANK, INC.. CISA/CLO TAS: 70-22-0566 ITAR ID: 5446

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KNOWLEDGEBANK, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (Office of Procurement Operations).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What specific HR consulting services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with the IT category?

The contract specifies 'Human Resources Consulting Services' (NAICS 541612). The alignment with the IT category (PSC is blank, but implied by 'st: VA' which often relates to IT services in some systems) is unclear from the provided data. It could indicate the use of technology platforms for HR functions, HR system implementation, or data analytics related to human capital, which bridges IT and HR.

What was the rationale for excluding specific sources in a 'full and open competition' award?

The rationale for excluding sources in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award typically involves prior performance issues, specific technical requirements that only a limited number of vendors could meet, or a previous contract vehicle that was being modified. Without further details, it's difficult to ascertain the exact reason, but it suggests a deviation from a purely unrestricted open competition.

How does the $18.7M contract value compare to industry benchmarks for similar HR consulting services over a four-year period?

Benchmarking $18.7M for four years of HR consulting requires detailed scope comparison. For large federal agencies, this value could be competitive if it includes comprehensive services like strategic workforce planning, talent management systems, and organizational development. However, if it's for more standard HR functions, it might be on the higher end, necessitating a review of the specific deliverables and vendor's proposed efficiencies.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Human Resources Consulting 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

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 203 HARRISON ST SE, LEESBURG, VA, 20175

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,671,563

Exercised Options: $18,671,563

Current Obligation: $18,671,563

Actual Outlays: $12,992,322

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $6,294,494

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS02Q16DCR0095

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline