DoD's $19.18M contract for education and training services awarded to FSCX Inc. shows fair value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,175,451 ($19.2M)

Contractor: Fscx Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2005-07-26

End Date: 2011-01-31

Contract Duration: 2,015 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200510!000718!9700!H92239!USSOCOM, USASOC !H9223905C0002 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050726!20100831!091131495!091131495!091131495!N!FSCX, INC !511 SW A AVE, SUITE 2 !LAWTON !OK!73501!41850!031!40!LAWTON !COMANCHE !OKLAHOMA !+000000571906!N!N!000018149963!U099!OTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !611699!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !20200930!B! ! !A! !A!N!J!2!005!K! !C!N!Z! ! !N!B!N!Y! !B!A! !K!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: FORT BRAGG, CUMBERLAND County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28307

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.2 million to FSCX INC for work described as: 200510!000718!9700!H92239!USSOCOM, USASOC !H9223905C0002 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050726!20100831!091131495!091131495!091131495!N!FSCX, INC !511 SW A AVE, SUITE 2 !LAWTON !OK!73501!41850!031!40!LAWTON !COMA… Key points: 1. The contract's value of $19.18 million appears reasonable given the scope of services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract type and no reported performance issues. 4. The contract falls within the 'Other Education & Training Services' category, serving a specialized niche. 5. This award represents a small portion of the Department of Defense's overall spending on training.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $19.18 million for education and training services seems to be within a reasonable range for specialized government contracts. Benchmarking against similar contracts for niche training programs is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price nature of the award suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the costs involved, and the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the initial solicitation may have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a competitive process. The data indicates 5 bids were received, suggesting a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensures that the government receives offers from multiple qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices through market forces. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the government is likely to secure services at a fair market price.

Public Impact

Specialized training and educational services are delivered to personnel within the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The services provided likely enhance the skills and readiness of military personnel. The geographic impact is primarily within the United States, supporting domestic military operations and training infrastructure. Workforce implications include the employment of instructors and support staff by FSCX Inc. to fulfill the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if the definition of 'Other Education & Training Services' is not tightly managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for specialized training could pose a risk if performance falters.
Ensuring the training content remains current and relevant to evolving operational needs.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract type limits cost uncertainty for the government.
Competitive award process suggests a fair market price was likely achieved.
Contract awarded to a company with a physical presence in Lawton, Oklahoma, potentially supporting local employment.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the broad 'Other Education & Training Services' category (NAICS 611699). This sector encompasses a wide range of instructional services not elsewhere classified, including specialized vocational, technical, and personal improvement training. The federal government is a significant consumer of such services, particularly for military personnel development, professional certifications, and specialized skill acquisition. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs, from basic skills training to highly advanced technical instruction.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements for this contract. The award was made to FSCX Inc., and further analysis would be needed to determine if FSCX Inc. itself is a small business or if it has plans for small business subcontracting. Without this information, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Department of Defense contract would typically be managed by contracting officers and program managers within USSOCOM. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract, requiring FSCX Inc. to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Training and Education Programs
Special Operations Forces Support Contracts
Government Contracting for Educational Services
Professional Development and Skill Training

Risk Flags

Competition type includes 'Exclusion of Sources', requiring further review of justification.
Specific training outcomes and their impact on operational readiness are not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.2 million to FSCX INC. 200510!000718!9700!H92239!USSOCOM, USASOC !H9223905C0002 !A!N! !Y! ! !20050726!20100831!091131495!091131495!091131495!N!FSCX, INC !511 SW A AVE, SUITE 2 !LAWTON !OK!73501!41850!031!40!LAWTON !COMANCHE !OKLAHOMA !+000000571906!N!N!000018149963!U099!OTHER EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !611699!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !202

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FSCX INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (U.S. Special Operations Command).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-07-26. End: 2011-01-31.

What specific types of education and training services were provided under this contract?

The contract's description as 'All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction' (NAICS 611699) suggests a broad scope. While specific details are not in the provided data, such contracts often encompass specialized technical training, leadership development, language instruction, or operational skills enhancement tailored to the unique requirements of USSOCOM. The firm fixed-price nature implies that the scope was well-defined at the time of award, covering specific courses, materials, and instructor hours necessary to meet the command's training objectives.

How does the awarded amount of $19.18 million compare to similar training contracts within the DoD?

Direct comparison is difficult without knowing the exact nature and duration of the training. However, $19.18 million over a period of approximately 5 years (from July 2005 to January 2011, including potential option periods) suggests an average annual spend of around $3.8 million. This figure is moderate for specialized military training, which can range from a few hundred thousand for specific courses to tens or hundreds of millions for large-scale, multi-year training initiatives. The value appears reasonable for a niche service supporting a specific command like USSOCOM.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to assess the success of this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for education and training services, typical KPIs would likely include student completion rates, post-training performance assessments, instructor qualifications and feedback, adherence to curriculum standards, and timely delivery of training sessions. Given the firm fixed-price structure, the primary metric for the government is the successful delivery of the contracted training services as specified, within budget and schedule.

What is the track record of FSCX Inc. in performing government contracts, particularly within the DoD?

The data indicates FSCX Inc. was awarded this specific contract (H9223905C0002) by the Department of Defense. Further investigation into contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov would be necessary to ascertain FSCX Inc.'s broader track record, including the number and value of other contracts held, past performance ratings, and any history of disputes or terminations. Without this additional information, a comprehensive assessment of their track record is not possible from the provided data alone.

Were there any significant risks identified during the procurement process or contract performance?

The data does not explicitly list identified risks. However, the contract type (Firm Fixed Price) generally mitigates financial risk for the government. Potential risks inherent in training contracts include the relevance of the curriculum to evolving mission needs, the quality and retention of instructors, and ensuring adequate participation from the target audience. The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition type might suggest initial market research identified specific capabilities needed, but the subsequent 'Full and Open Competition' indicates broader market participation was ultimately sought and achieved.

How has spending in the 'Other Education & Training Services' category evolved for USSOCOM over time?

This specific contract (2005-2011) represents a data point within the broader trend. To analyze the evolution of spending for USSOCOM in this category, one would need to examine historical contract awards data for USSOCOM under NAICS code 611699 and potentially related codes over multiple fiscal years. This would reveal patterns of increasing, decreasing, or stable investment in external training services, influenced by operational tempo, budget allocations, and strategic priorities.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Other Schools and Instruction › All Other Miscellaneous Schools and Instruction

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 511 SW A AVE, SUITE 2, LAWTON, OK, 04

Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline