DHS awards $7.56M training contract to Darkstar Intelligence, LLC under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,560,000 ($7.6M)

Contractor: Darkstar Intelligence, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2021-02-24

End Date: 2026-05-23

Contract Duration: 1,914 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OPEN SOURCE RECOMPETE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20528

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $7.6 million to DARKSTAR INTELLIGENCE, LLC for work described as: OPEN SOURCE RECOMPETE Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in professional development services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive bidding environment. 3. The contract duration of nearly five years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. The award is for professional and management development training, a common government need. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, implying it's part of a larger vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $7.56 million over approximately 5 years for professional development training appears within a reasonable range for government services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management training is difficult without more specific service details. However, the fixed-price nature suggests the government has defined its needs clearly, potentially leading to better cost control compared to cost-reimbursement contracts. The number of bids received (3) is on the lower side for full and open competition, which might suggest a less aggressive pricing environment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, meaning all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. Three bids were received, which is a moderate level of competition. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, three offers still provide a basis for price comparison and selection. The agency's choice of full and open competition indicates a desire to leverage the broadest possible market.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from the potential for competitive pricing inherent in a full and open solicitation. However, the relatively low number of bidders may limit the extent of price reductions achieved through competition.

Public Impact

Federal employees, particularly managers and professionals within DHS, are the primary beneficiaries of this training. The services delivered include professional and management development, aimed at enhancing leadership and operational skills. The contract's geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, where the training is likely to be conducted or managed. Workforce implications include upskilling and professionalization of DHS personnel, potentially leading to improved agency performance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bidders (3) for a full and open competition could indicate potential barriers to entry or a niche market.
The specific nature of 'Professional and Management Development Training' is broad and could encompass a wide range of services, making value assessment challenging without further detail.
The contract's performance period extends to May 2026, meaning ongoing monitoring is required to ensure value delivery.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a commitment to market-based pricing.
Firm Fixed Price contract type transfers risk to the contractor, encouraging efficient service delivery.
The contract is for professional development, which can lead to improved government efficiency and effectiveness.

Sector Analysis

The professional and management development training sector serves a broad range of government agencies. This contract fits within the broader professional services category, which is a significant portion of federal spending. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized training programs. Benchmarking against similar contracts requires detailed understanding of the specific training modules and target audience, but the overall value appears consistent with industry standards for large-scale training initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Homeland Security's contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance metrics may not always be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

DHS Training and Development Programs
Federal Management Training Services
Professional Development Contracts
Government Employee Training

Risk Flags

Potential for outdated training content due to long contract duration.
Limited competition (3 bidders) may impact price competitiveness.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $7.6 million to DARKSTAR INTELLIGENCE, LLC. OPEN SOURCE RECOMPETE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DARKSTAR INTELLIGENCE, 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 $7.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-02-24. End: 2026-05-23.

What is the track record of Darkstar Intelligence, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in training and development?

Darkstar Intelligence, LLC has been awarded federal contracts, including this one from DHS. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their contract history with various agencies is necessary. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any documented issues or successes on previous training contracts, and their overall financial stability. Without this granular data, it's difficult to definitively state their expertise and reliability in delivering professional and management development training. However, securing a contract of this value suggests they met the agency's initial vetting criteria.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar professional development training services?

The total contract value of $7.56 million over approximately five years, for professional and management development training, needs to be benchmarked against industry standards. Factors such as the number of employees trained, the duration and intensity of the training, and the specific subject matter are crucial for a precise comparison. Given the firm-fixed-price nature, the government has likely negotiated a price based on defined deliverables. While specific per-participant costs are not provided, the overall value appears to be within a plausible range for large-scale government training initiatives, assuming a significant number of personnel are being served.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this training contract?

Specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. Typically, for professional and management development training, KPIs might include participant satisfaction surveys, pre- and post-training knowledge assessments, observed improvements in job performance, or successful completion rates of training modules. The contracting officer and program managers within DHS would be responsible for establishing and monitoring these KPIs to ensure the training effectively meets its objectives and provides value for money. The firm-fixed-price nature implies that meeting these defined performance standards is critical for contractor payment.

What is the historical spending pattern for professional and management development training at DHS?

Historical spending patterns for professional and management development training at DHS are not provided in the current data. To establish such a pattern, one would need to analyze DHS's procurement data over several fiscal years, identifying all contracts awarded for similar training services. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the contractors frequently utilized. Understanding historical spending can help contextualize the current $7.56 million award, indicating whether it represents an increase, decrease, or stable level of investment in employee development.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-duration contract (nearly 5 years) for training services?

Long-duration contracts for training services carry several potential risks. Firstly, the relevance of the training content may diminish over time due to evolving industry best practices or changes in agency needs, requiring costly modifications or updates. Secondly, the fixed-price nature, while beneficial initially, could lead to the contractor becoming complacent or less innovative if not actively managed. Thirdly, there's a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult to switch providers if performance issues arise or better alternatives emerge. Finally, economic shifts or budget uncertainties over the contract's lifespan could impact funding and require renegotiations or contract adjustments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 70RDAD21Q00000003

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13045 QUEEN CHAPEL RD, WOODBRIDGE, VA, 22193

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,560,000

Exercised Options: $7,560,000

Current Obligation: $7,560,000

Actual Outlays: $4,319,662

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QREA19D000B

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline