DHS awards $19.5M training contract to Metris LLC, raising competition concerns

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,456,364 ($19.5M)

Contractor: Metris LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-02-28

End Date: 2025-02-27

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRAINING ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: NORFOLK, NORFOLK CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23510

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $19.5 million to METRIS LLC for work described as: TRAINING ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Metris LLC for training analysis and support services. 2. Significant spending of $19.5 million over one year. 3. Contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery. 4. Sector: Other Technical and Trade Schools (NAICS 611519).

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $19.5 million for a one-year period with a firm fixed price suggests a potentially high cost. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to benchmark against similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This lack of competition limits price discovery and may lead to inflated costs for taxpayers.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition likely results in a higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract had been competitively bid.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be overpaying for training services due to lack of competition. Limited transparency into the justification for awarding to a single vendor. Potential for reduced quality or innovation without market pressure.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
High contract value
Sole-source award justification unclear

Positive Signals

Clear contract duration and pricing structure (firm fixed price)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the 'Other Technical and Trade Schools' sector, which can encompass a wide range of specialized training. Benchmarking is difficult without knowing the specific nature of the training provided.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation is needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and adequate performance. The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard should provide clear justification for the non-competitive award.

Related Government Programs

Other Technical and Trade Schools
Department of Homeland Security Contracting
U.S. Coast Guard Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for overpayment
Limited transparency on vendor selection
Unclear performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $19.5 million to METRIS LLC. TRAINING ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is METRIS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-28. End: 2025-02-27.

What specific training analysis and support services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with the Coast Guard's mission requirements?

The contract details 'TRAINING ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT SERVICES' under NAICS code 611519. Without further specifics, it's presumed to involve the assessment, development, or delivery of training programs. The alignment with the U.S. Coast Guard's mission would depend on the specialized nature of the training, potentially covering operational, technical, or safety competencies critical for maritime operations.

What is the justification for awarding this $19.5 million contract to Metris LLC on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies must demonstrate that only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. Steps to ensure fair and reasonable pricing in sole-source procurements often involve detailed cost analysis, market research, and negotiation, but the extent to which these were applied here is unknown.

How will the effectiveness of the training provided by Metris LLC be measured, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure value for taxpayer money?

The effectiveness measurement and KPIs are not detailed in the provided data. For a contract of this magnitude, robust performance metrics should be established, focusing on trainee performance improvements, mission readiness, cost-effectiveness of training delivery, and overall satisfaction. Regular performance reviews would be essential to track progress and ensure accountability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Technical and Trade Schools › Other Technical and Trade Schools

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 70Z02324RFFCT0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3259 PROGRESS DR, ORLANDO, FL, 32826

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,456,364

Exercised Options: $19,456,364

Current Obligation: $19,456,364

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline