DoD's $24M Military Training Evaluation Program Contract Awarded to American Council on Education
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,095,114 ($24.1M)
Contractor: American Council on Education
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-03-31
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 2,009 days
Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: MILITARY TRAINING EVALUATION PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22350
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $24.1 million to AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION for work described as: MILITARY TRAINING EVALUATION PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract is for Educational Support Services, specifically for the Military Training Evaluation Program. 2. Awarded to American Council on Education, a single source. 3. The contract duration spans from March 2020 to September 2025. 4. The total value is approximately $24.1 million. 5. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $24.1 million over five years suggests a significant investment in educational support services. Benchmarking against similar educational support contracts is difficult without more specific service details, but the price appears reasonable for a program of this scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially reduces opportunities for competitive pricing and innovation from other qualified organizations.
Taxpayer Impact: Without competition, taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value, as alternative providers could potentially offer similar services at a lower cost or with enhanced features.
Public Impact
Impacts military personnel by providing evaluation services for their training. Ensures the quality and effectiveness of military educational programs. Supports the Department of Defense's human resources development initiatives. The sole-source nature raises questions about cost-effectiveness for taxpayers. Long contract duration may indicate a stable, ongoing need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Lack of transparency in pricing due to no-bid.
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical military training evaluation.
- Long-term contract provides stability for services.
- Firm Fixed Price contract offers cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Educational Support Services (NAICS 611710). Spending in this sector often supports government personnel development and training. The $24 million value is substantial for a single contract in this category, especially given its sole-source nature.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not competed and awarded to the American Council on Education, a non-profit organization. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this contract warrants scrutiny. Further oversight is needed to ensure the services provided are essential, effectively delivered, and priced appropriately, despite the lack of a competitive bidding process.
Related Government Programs
- Educational Support Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Human Resources Activity Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competition.
- Potential for inflated costs due to lack of bidding.
- Limited transparency on specific services and pricing justification.
- Long contract duration without clear performance milestones.
Tags
educational-support-services, department-of-defense, va, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $24.1 million to AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION. MILITARY TRAINING EVALUATION PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EDUCATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Human Resources Activity).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-03-31. End: 2025-09-30.
What specific evaluation metrics are used by the American Council on Education for the Military Training Evaluation Program, and how do these metrics ensure the effectiveness of military training?
The specific evaluation metrics are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical metrics for such programs might include trainee performance assessments, curriculum effectiveness reviews, instructor feedback analysis, and post-training skill application. The American Council on Education likely employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to assess training outcomes against established military objectives and standards, ensuring alignment with operational needs.
Given the sole-source nature of this contract, what steps has the Department of Defense taken to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential cost overruns for this $24 million award?
While the data indicates a sole-source award, the Department of Defense typically has internal processes for sole-source justifications, including market research and cost analysis, to ensure fair and reasonable pricing. The Firm Fixed Price contract type also provides some cost certainty. However, without a competitive process, the level of price scrutiny and potential for savings is inherently reduced compared to competed contracts.
How does the American Council on Education's involvement in this program contribute to the overall effectiveness and modernization of military training compared to potential alternative providers?
The American Council on Education is a recognized authority in educational credentialing and evaluation. Their expertise may lend significant credibility and specialized knowledge to the military training evaluation process. This specific expertise, potentially unique or highly specialized, could be the rationale behind the sole-source award, suggesting they offer capabilities that other providers might not match, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and modernization of military training.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Educational Support Services › Educational Support Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: H9821020R0005
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1 DUPONT CIR NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20036
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,095,114
Exercised Options: $24,095,114
Current Obligation: $24,095,114
Actual Outlays: $5,172,345
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-03-31
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-15
More Contracts from American Council on Education
- Base Period — $12.8M (Department of Defense)
- Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (dantes) Military Training Evaluation Program (mtep) — $4.6M (Department of Defense)
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