DoD's Vision Center of Excellence Program Management Support Services contract awarded to Ardent Technologies Inc. for $2.65M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,651,181 ($2.7M)
Contractor: Ardent Technologies Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-07-25
End Date: 2027-01-25
Contract Duration: 914 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: VISION CENTER OF EXCELLENCES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $2.7 million to ARDENT TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: VISION CENTER OF EXCELLENCES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.65M over approximately 2.5 years. 2. Awarded under full and open competition. 3. No small business set-aside was utilized. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. Performance is located in Maryland. 6. The contract is for Engineering Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.65M for program management support services appears reasonable given the duration of 914 days (approximately 2.5 years). Benchmarking against similar contracts for program management support within the Department of Defense, this award falls within a typical range. The firm fixed price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government. However, without specific details on the scope of services and deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple potential bidders were allowed to submit proposals. The fact that there were 3 bids received suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. A higher number of bidders typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions. However, the specific details of the competition, such as the evaluation criteria and the number of proposals deemed technically acceptable, are not provided.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition, with 3 bidders, likely resulted in a fair market price for these program management support services, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring competitive pricing.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and specifically the Defense Health Agency, which will receive program management support. Services delivered include engineering and program management support crucial for the Vision Center of Excellence. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where the performance is located. Workforce implications include the potential for skilled professionals in engineering and program management to be employed by Ardent Technologies Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if program management requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical program management functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
- Limited visibility into the specific metrics used to evaluate contractor performance beyond the firm fixed price structure.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Firm fixed price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
- Contract duration of over two years provides stability for program support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting program management for a specialized government initiative (Vision Center of Excellence). The market for program management support services within the federal government is substantial, with agencies frequently outsourcing these functions to specialized firms. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar program management support contracts within the DoD often range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars annually, depending on the complexity and duration of the program.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'sb': false. The award to Ardent Technologies Inc., a company that may or may not be classified as a small business, means that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not mandated by a set-aside. Analysis of subcontracting plans, if any, would be necessary to determine the extent of small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Defense Health Agency contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to meet performance requirements within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance metrics and oversight activities may not be publicly detailed.
Related Government Programs
- Defense Health Agency Program Management Support
- Vision Center of Excellence Initiatives
- DoD Engineering Services Contracts
- Federal Program Management Support Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for performance issues if program requirements are not clearly defined.
- Dependence on contractor for critical program management functions.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, defense-health-agency, engineering-services, program-management, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, maryland, ardent-technologies-inc, vision-center-of-excellence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $2.7 million to ARDENT TECHNOLOGIES INC. VISION CENTER OF EXCELLENCES PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ARDENT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Health Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-07-25. End: 2027-01-25.
What is the track record of Ardent Technologies Inc. in performing similar program management support services for the Department of Defense?
Ardent Technologies Inc. has a history of performing various services for the federal government, including IT support, engineering, and program management. Specific details regarding their past performance on contracts directly comparable to the Vision Center of Excellence Program Management Support Services would require a deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS. However, their presence in the federal contracting space suggests experience in navigating government requirements. A review of past performance evaluations and any past performance questionnaires associated with their previous contracts would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and effectiveness in delivering similar services.
How does the awarded value of $2.65M compare to similar program management support contracts within the Defense Health Agency or broader DoD?
The awarded value of $2.65 million for approximately 2.5 years of program management support services appears to be within a reasonable range for contracts of this nature within the Department of Defense. Benchmarking against similar contracts requires access to detailed contract data, including the scope of work, deliverables, and duration. However, general market analysis suggests that program management support for specialized centers of excellence can range from several hundred thousand to several million dollars annually. The firm fixed price nature of this contract also suggests that the government has negotiated a price that includes the contractor's profit and risk, which is a common practice for well-defined services.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of Ardent Technologies Inc. under this contract?
While the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data, firm fixed price contracts typically rely on the successful completion of defined tasks, milestones, and deliverables as the primary measure of success. For program management support, these KPIs could include adherence to project schedules, budget management, quality of reports and documentation produced, effective communication with stakeholders, and successful execution of program objectives. The Defense Health Agency would likely have established specific performance standards and evaluation criteria within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) to monitor Ardent Technologies Inc.'s performance.
What is the historical spending pattern for program management support services related to the Vision Center of Excellence or similar initiatives within the DoD?
Historical spending patterns for program management support services related to the Vision Center of Excellence or similar initiatives within the DoD can vary significantly based on the specific program's lifecycle, scope, and duration. Agencies often allocate substantial resources to program management to ensure the effective planning, execution, and oversight of complex projects. Without specific historical data for the Vision Center of Excellence, it's difficult to provide precise figures. However, agencies like the Defense Health Agency frequently utilize contracts for program management support, with annual spending potentially reaching millions of dollars for major initiatives. Analyzing past contract awards for similar functions can reveal trends in funding levels and contractor utilization.
Are there any identified risks associated with the contractor, Ardent Technologies Inc., based on their past performance or the nature of this contract?
Based on the provided data, there are no explicit risk flags associated with Ardent Technologies Inc. However, a comprehensive risk assessment would require a review of their past performance evaluations, any past disputes or contract terminations, and their financial stability. For this specific contract, potential risks could include the contractor's ability to adapt to evolving program requirements, maintain consistent performance over the contract duration, and manage program complexities effectively. The firm fixed price nature shifts financial risk to the contractor, but performance risk remains a key consideration for the government.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: HT001124R0014
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6234 FAR HILLS AVENUE, DAYTON, OH, 45459
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,872,428
Exercised Options: $2,651,181
Current Obligation: $2,651,181
Actual Outlays: $85,961
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D8133
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-07-25
Current End Date: 2027-01-25
Potential End Date: 2029-01-25 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-08
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