DoD's $25.5M training contract with Chitra Productions LLC awarded under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,478,256 ($25.5M)

Contractor: Chitra Productions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2014-06-13

End Date: 2019-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,843 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF EM AND ADL TRAINING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: TYNDALL AFB, BAY County, FLORIDA, 32403

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $25.5 million to CHITRA PRODUCTIONS LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF EM AND ADL TRAINING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in professional development for the Air Force. 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process, potentially leading to competitive pricing. 3. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor. 4. Contract duration of over 5 years indicates a long-term need for these training services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 611430 points to a specialized training sector. 6. The contract was awarded as a delivery order, suggesting it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of approximately $25.5 million over five years for training services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar professional development contracts within the Department of Defense is necessary for a definitive value assessment. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, assuming the contractor can deliver within the agreed-upon terms. The number of bids received (2) is on the lower side for a full and open competition, which could warrant further investigation into pricing competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. However, only two bids were received. While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing price discovery and ensuring fair access for contractors, a low number of bidders can sometimes suggest market limitations, high barriers to entry, or insufficient outreach. This could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing than if more competitors had participated.

Taxpayer Impact: The low number of bidders in a full and open competition may mean that taxpayers did not benefit from the most competitive pricing possible. Further analysis could explore if the solicitation adequately reached the market or if specific requirements limited the number of interested parties.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are Department of the Air Force personnel who will receive professional and management development training. The services delivered include specialized training aimed at enhancing employee skills and performance. The contract is geographically focused on Florida, where the contractor is located and likely where training will be delivered or managed. The contract supports a workforce development initiative within the federal government, potentially impacting employee career progression and agency effectiveness.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited number of bidders (2) in a full and open competition could indicate potential issues with market reach or contractor interest, possibly impacting price competitiveness.
The contract's duration of over five years requires ongoing monitoring to ensure continued value and performance.
The specific nature of the training and its effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes would need to be assessed through performance metrics.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, adhering to principles of fair opportunity.
Fixed-price contract type transfers risk to the contractor, providing budget certainty.
The contract addresses a clear need for professional development within the Air Force.

Sector Analysis

The professional and management development training sector is a critical component of workforce development across industries. Within the federal government, spending on training services is substantial, supporting the continuous upskilling of civilian and military personnel. This contract falls within the broader professional services market, which is characterized by a mix of large and small businesses offering specialized expertise. Benchmarking against similar training contracts would involve comparing scope, duration, and pricing models within the government and private sectors.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Chitra Productions LLC, the awardee, is likely a small business based on its name and the contract value, but without specific size standard data, this cannot be confirmed. The absence of a small business set-aside means that larger businesses could also compete. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans, but given the nature of the service, it's possible that specialized training components could be subcontracted.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of the Air Force. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and invoice review are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected or alleged.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Training and Education Programs
Air Force Professional Development Initiatives
Federal Workforce Training Services
Management and Leadership Training Contracts

Risk Flags

Low number of bidders for a full and open competition.
Potential for insufficient market outreach or high barriers to entry.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure training effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $25.5 million to CHITRA PRODUCTIONS LLC. IGF::CT::IGF EM AND ADL TRAINING SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHITRA PRODUCTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2014-06-13. End: 2019-06-30.

What is the track record of Chitra Productions LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

Information regarding Chitra Productions LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Defense, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A thorough analysis would require accessing historical contract databases (like FPDS) to review past performance evaluations, any past performance issues, and the types of services previously rendered. Understanding their history with similar training contracts, their on-time delivery rates, and client satisfaction would be crucial for assessing their reliability and capability for this $25.5 million award. Without this historical context, it's difficult to fully gauge their suitability beyond the fact they were selected in this instance.

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

The provided data does not include specific pricing details per training module or per participant, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. The total contract value of $25.5 million over approximately 1843 days (roughly 5 years) averages to about $13.8 million per year. To benchmark this, one would need to identify comparable training programs offered by other government agencies or private sector providers, considering factors like course content, duration, instructor qualifications, and delivery method (in-person vs. online). The fact that it was a fixed-price contract suggests the government sought a defined outcome at a set cost, but the underlying unit costs and their competitiveness against market benchmarks require further investigation into the details of the training provided.

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

The provided data snippet does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training delivered by Chitra Productions LLC. Typically, for training contracts, KPIs might include participant satisfaction surveys, pre- and post-training knowledge assessments, observed changes in on-the-job performance, or the achievement of specific skill competencies. The contracting officer and the program office would be responsible for defining and monitoring these KPIs throughout the contract's life. Without access to the contract's statement of work or performance work statement, assessing how the government ensures the value and impact of this $25.5 million investment is not possible.

What is the historical spending pattern for professional and management development training within the Department of the Air Force, and how does this contract compare?

The provided data focuses solely on this specific contract, offering no insight into the Department of the Air Force's historical spending on professional and management development training. To establish a comparative context, one would need to analyze aggregated spending data over several fiscal years for similar training services across the Air Force. This analysis would reveal trends, identify major training initiatives, and highlight significant contract awards. Understanding this broader spending landscape would help determine if the $25.5 million awarded to Chitra Productions LLC is typical, unusually high, or low for the scope of services it covers within the Air Force's overall training budget.

Given the contract was awarded as a delivery order, what was the parent IDIQ contract, and what were its competition and value parameters?

The data indicates this contract was awarded as a 'DELIVERY ORDER' (aw: DELIVERY ORDER), suggesting it was issued under a larger Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The specific parent IDIQ contract is not identified in the provided snippet. To fully assess the competition and value, one would need to examine the original IDIQ contract. This would involve understanding how the IDIQ itself was competed, its total ceiling value, its duration, and the ordering procedures. If the IDIQ had limited competition or a high ceiling with minimal task orders, it could impact the overall value realized by the government. Conversely, a well-competed IDIQ with broad participation typically fosters better pricing for subsequent delivery orders.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4873 S OLIVER DR STE 10, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, 23455

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,478,256

Exercised Options: $25,478,256

Current Obligation: $25,478,256

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F098BA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline