DoD's $26M SOF Teletraining System Contract Awarded to Progressive Expert Consulting for Language Training

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,096,231 ($26.1M)

Contractor: Progressive Expert Consulting, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-08-23

End Date: 2024-07-19

Contract Duration: 1,792 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES TELETRAINING SYSTEM - VIRTUAL SCHOOL PLATFORM TO PROVIDE LANGUAGE TRAINING.

Place of Performance

Location: ROME, ONEIDA County, NEW YORK, 13441

State: New York Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $26.1 million to PROGRESSIVE EXPERT CONSULTING, INC. for work described as: SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES TELETRAINING SYSTEM - VIRTUAL SCHOOL PLATFORM TO PROVIDE LANGUAGE TRAINING. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on IT services for a virtual school platform, a growing sector. 2. Progressive Expert Consulting, Inc. secured this award, indicating potential market concentration. 3. The firm fixed price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks. 4. The award is for language training, a critical capability for Special Operations Forces.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $26.1 million over five years appears reasonable for a specialized IT system providing language training. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for virtual learning platforms and language services would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring the government receives competitive pricing and best value solutions.

Public Impact

Enhances language proficiency for Special Operations Forces, crucial for global operations. Leverages virtual platforms for flexible and accessible training delivery. Supports critical national security missions through improved communication capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if the platform becomes highly specialized.
Reliance on a single vendor for critical training infrastructure.

Positive Signals

Addresses a clear need for specialized language training.
Utilizes modern technology for effective delivery.
Awarded through competitive bidding.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Computer Systems Design Services, a significant segment of the IT sector. Spending in this area is driven by the need for advanced technological solutions to support various government functions, including defense and intelligence.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in the subcontracting or prime contracting. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the U.S. Special Operations Command, a component of the Department of Defense, which has established oversight mechanisms. However, the effectiveness of oversight for this specific contract requires further investigation.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Defense Contracting
U.S. Special Operations Command Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in
Reliance on a single provider for critical training
Need for robust performance metrics to ensure proficiency gains
Cybersecurity risks associated with a virtual training platform

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $26.1 million to PROGRESSIVE EXPERT CONSULTING, INC.. SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES TELETRAINING SYSTEM - VIRTUAL SCHOOL PLATFORM TO PROVIDE LANGUAGE TRAINING.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PROGRESSIVE EXPERT CONSULTING, 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 $26.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-08-23. End: 2024-07-19.

What is the long-term strategic value of this teletraining system beyond immediate language needs?

The long-term strategic value lies in its potential to serve as a scalable and adaptable platform for various specialized training requirements within SOF. Its virtual nature allows for continuous updates and integration of new learning methodologies, potentially reducing future training development costs and increasing operational readiness by providing on-demand language and cultural expertise.

What are the primary risks associated with the reliance on a single vendor for this critical training platform?

The primary risks include potential vendor lock-in, where the government becomes dependent on one provider, leading to higher costs and reduced flexibility in future upgrades or modifications. There's also a risk of service disruption if the vendor faces financial difficulties or operational issues, potentially impacting the continuous language training essential for SOF readiness.

How effectively does this virtual platform measure and ensure language proficiency gains for users?

The effectiveness in measuring proficiency depends on the platform's built-in assessment tools and the curriculum design. While virtual platforms offer accessibility, ensuring genuine language acquisition and retention requires robust testing, feedback mechanisms, and potentially blended learning approaches. The contract details should specify performance metrics related to user progress and achieved proficiency levels.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6201 KEYSTONE WAY, JAMESVILLE, NY, 13078

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,480,429

Exercised Options: $26,480,429

Current Obligation: $26,096,231

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS35F0375V

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline