DHS Awards $4.5M Blended Learning Services Contract to Pherson Associates, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,512,685 ($4.5M)
Contractor: Pherson Associates, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2029-03-29
Contract Duration: 1,641 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: IT
Official Description: ITA BLENDED LEARNING COURSE DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY, AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $4.5 million to PHERSON ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: ITA BLENDED LEARNING COURSE DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY, AND SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on professional and management development training. 2. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Potential for significant taxpayer impact due to the contract's scope. 4. The contract duration spans over 5 years.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar professional development training contracts is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating a limited competition. This method may not have resulted in the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The $4.5M award for professional development training represents a significant investment. Ensuring value for money is crucial to maximize taxpayer benefit.
Public Impact
Enhances professional and management skills for DHS personnel. Supports the development and delivery of modern learning solutions. Impacts federal workforce training and development initiatives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may impact price.
- Time and Materials contract type carries cost risk.
- No small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical training needs.
- Long-term contract provides stability.
- Utilizes blended learning for efficiency.
Sector Analysis
The IT and professional services sector sees significant government spending on training and development. Benchmarks vary widely based on the complexity and duration of services.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not appear to have any small business participation. This represents a missed opportunity to support small businesses in the federal contracting space.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be critical to manage the Time and Materials contract effectively and ensure the government receives value for its investment.
Related Government Programs
- Professional and Management Development Training
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- Office of Procurement Operations Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Time and Materials contract type
- No small business participation
- Potential for cost overruns
Tags
professional-and-management-development-, department-of-homeland-security, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $4.5 million to PHERSON ASSOCIATES, LLC. ITA BLENDED LEARNING COURSE DEVELOPMENT, DELIVERY, AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PHERSON ASSOCIATES, LLC.
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 $4.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2029-03-29.
How does the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method affect the overall value for money?
Excluding sources, even after an initial full and open competition, can limit the pool of potential bidders. This reduction in competition may lead to higher prices than if all qualified vendors had been allowed to compete. The agency must have a strong justification for the exclusion to ensure the chosen vendor provides the best value.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for training services?
The main risk of a Time and Materials contract is the potential for cost escalation. Without fixed price components, the contractor is reimbursed for actual labor hours and material costs. If not closely monitored, this can lead to the government paying more than anticipated, especially if project scope creeps or efficiency is low.
How effective is blended learning in achieving the stated professional development goals for DHS?
Blended learning, combining online and in-person instruction, can be highly effective by offering flexibility and catering to diverse learning styles. Its success depends on the quality of content, instructional design, and the agency's ability to integrate it into existing workflows. Measuring learning outcomes and job performance improvements will be key to assessing effectiveness.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training
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: 70RDA224Q00000027
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12110 SUNSET HILLS RD STE 600, RESTON, VA, 20190
Business Categories: Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $14,266,869
Exercised Options: $7,743,977
Current Obligation: $4,512,685
Actual Outlays: $1,869,723
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $665,133
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS02Q16DCR0078
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2029-03-29
Potential End Date: 2029-03-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-26
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