DOE awards $981K for IT training to SANS Institute, bypassing competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $98,150 ($98.2K)
Contractor: THE Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2027-09-22
Contract Duration: 533 days
Daily Burn Rate: $184/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE FOR PORTSMOUTH PADUCAH PROJECT OFFICE - SANS TRAINING
Place of Performance
Location: LEXINGTON, FAYETTE County, KENTUCKY, 40513
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $98,150 to THE ESCAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE FOR PORTSMOUTH PADUCAH PROJECT OFFICE - SANS TRAINING Key points: 1. Significant contract value for specialized IT training. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Risk of limited market exploration and potentially higher prices. 4. IT services sector, specifically cybersecurity training, is a growing area.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $981,500 for specialized IT training appears high without competitive benchmarking. The lack of competition makes it difficult to assess if this price is fair market value compared to similar training offerings.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may prevent the government from securing the best possible price through a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competition, potentially missing out on cost efficiencies.
Public Impact
Specialized cybersecurity training is crucial for government IT security. Lack of competition could lead to higher costs for taxpayers. Ensuring effective training delivery is key to realizing the value of this investment. Transparency in sole-source justifications is important for public trust.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical IT training needs
- Contract awarded to a known provider in the field
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically focusing on advanced cybersecurity training. Spending in this area has increased significantly due to the growing threat landscape. Benchmarks for similar specialized training can vary widely.
Small Business Impact
The awardee is not identified as a small business. The sole-source nature of this award means small businesses were not given an opportunity to compete, potentially limiting their access to this contract.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is needed to ensure the training is delivered effectively and meets the stated objectives. The justification for the sole-source award should be thoroughly reviewed to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- Potential for inflated costs due to no competition.
- Limited opportunity for small businesses.
- Effectiveness of training needs clear measurement.
- Justification for sole-source award requires scrutiny.
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-energy, ky, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $98,150 to THE ESCAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PURCHASE FOR PORTSMOUTH PADUCAH PROJECT OFFICE - SANS TRAINING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE ESCAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $98,150.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2027-09-22.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative training providers evaluated?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, critical urgency, or a lack of other qualified sources. Without further details on the justification, it's difficult to assess if alternative providers were truly unavailable or if market research was insufficient. A thorough review of the sole-source justification is essential to ensure fair and efficient use of taxpayer funds.
How does the cost of this training compare to industry benchmarks for similar specialized cybersecurity courses, especially considering the lack of competition?
Without competitive bids, it is challenging to establish a precise benchmark. However, the absence of competition raises concerns that the $981,500 price may not reflect the best value. Agencies should conduct robust market research to compare pricing with similar specialized training programs offered by other reputable providers to ensure cost-effectiveness.
What metrics will be used to measure the effectiveness of the SANS training and ensure it meets the specific needs of the Portsmouth Paducah Project Office?
Effectiveness should be measured through pre- and post-training assessments, skill validation exercises, and feedback from participants and their supervisors. Key performance indicators should be established to track improvements in cybersecurity knowledge and practical application relevant to the project office's mission. Regular reporting on these metrics will ensure accountability and demonstrate the value of the training investment.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11200 ROCKVILLE PIKE STE 200, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $98,150
Exercised Options: $98,150
Current Obligation: $98,150
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2027-09-22
Potential End Date: 2027-09-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
Other Department of Energy Contracts
- Federal Contract — $48.1B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- ,Ct::igf Contract Award De-Na0003525 to the National Technology&engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (ntess) for the Management and Operation of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) — $41.7B (National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC)
- Management and Operation of the OAK Ridge National Laboratory — $40.8B (Ut-Battelle LLC)
- TAS::89 0240::TAS This Performance-Based Management Contract (pbmc) IS for the Management and Operation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (llnl). the Contractor Shall, in Accordance With the Provisions of This Contract, Accomplish the Missions and Programs Assigned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Manage and Operate the Laboratory. the Laboratory IS ONE of Does Office of Defense Program Multi-Program Laboratories. the Laboratory IS a Federally Funded Research and Development Institution (established in Accordance With the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Operated Under This Management and Operating (M&O) Contract, AS Defined in FAR 17.6 and Dear 917.6 — $40.8B (Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC)
- M&O of Lanl BR of U of CA — $35.3B (Regents of the University of California, the)