The Masy Group LLC awarded $56.8M for intelligence training, with a significant portion spent on delivery orders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $56,856,675 ($56.9M)

Contractor: THE Masy Group LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2017-01-31

End Date: 2022-07-30

Contract Duration: 2,006 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR THE ACADEMY FOR DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE (ADI)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20032

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $56.9 million to THE MASY GROUP LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR THE ACADEMY FOR DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE (ADI) Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair, given the extended duration and multiple delivery orders. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include a long contract duration and time-and-materials pricing, which can increase costs if not managed closely. 4. Performance context shows a long period of execution, suggesting a stable, albeit lengthy, service delivery. 5. Sector positioning is within professional and management development training, a common area for federal contracting.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $56.8M over approximately five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar intelligence training contracts is difficult without more specific service details. However, the use of time-and-materials pricing, while flexible, carries a risk of cost escalation if not tightly controlled and monitored by the agency. The number of delivery orders (4) indicates a phased approach to service delivery, which can be efficient but also requires diligent oversight to ensure value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This typically fosters a competitive environment, which should theoretically lead to better pricing and service quality. The fact that it was competed openly suggests the agency sought the best value available in the market for these specialized training services.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by promoting a level playing field for contractors, driving down costs through competitive pressures, and ensuring that the government receives services at market-reflective prices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are personnel within the Academy for Defense Intelligence (ADI) and potentially other intelligence community members receiving specialized training. Services delivered include professional and management development training tailored for intelligence professionals. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the training likely took place. Workforce implications include the upskilling and professional development of federal intelligence personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to time-and-materials pricing structure.
Long contract duration (over 5 years) may indicate potential for scope creep or evolving requirements.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the training.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust vetting of contractors.
Multiple delivery orders indicate a structured approach to managing service delivery over time.
Contractor has a long history of federal contract awards, suggesting experience and reliability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional and management development training sector, a segment of the broader education and training services industry. Federal spending in this area supports the continuous development of government workforces. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific nature and duration of the training modules, but the overall award size is substantial for a single training contract.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed here. Without specific subcontracting plans or goals, it's difficult to assess the extent to which small businesses benefited from this large contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically involve the contracting officer's representative (COR) monitoring performance, adherence to delivery schedules, and quality of services. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms and conditions, with potential for remedies if performance is deficient. Transparency is facilitated by the public award data, but detailed performance reports or IG audits are not publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Intelligence Community Training Programs
Professional Development Services
Management Training Contracts
Federal Workforce Development

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to T&M pricing.
Long contract duration may indicate evolving requirements or scope creep.
Lack of specific performance metrics hinders effectiveness assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $56.9 million to THE MASY GROUP LLC. IGF::CT::IGF INTELLIGENCE TRAINING FOR THE ACADEMY FOR DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE (ADI)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE MASY GROUP LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $56.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2017-01-31. End: 2022-07-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'intelligence training' provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies the training under NAICS code 611430, 'Professional and Management Development Training.' This suggests the training focuses on enhancing the professional and managerial skills of individuals within the intelligence community. While the exact curriculum is not detailed, it likely encompasses areas such as leadership, strategic planning, operational management, and potentially specialized intelligence analysis techniques or methodologies. The contract's duration and significant value imply a comprehensive and ongoing training initiative rather than a one-off course.

How does the $56.8M award compare to typical spending on similar intelligence training contracts?

Direct comparison is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of intelligence training contracts with similar scope and duration. However, $56.8 million over five years represents an average annual spend of over $11 million. This is a substantial amount, suggesting either a large number of personnel being trained, highly specialized and costly training modules, or a long-term, continuous training requirement. Agencies like the Defense Intelligence Agency or other intelligence community components might have similar-sized contracts for broad training initiatives, but the specifics of 'intelligence training' can vary widely.

What are the primary risks associated with the 'Time and Materials' (T&M) pricing structure used in this contract?

The primary risk of a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If the contractor's labor hours are not efficiently managed or if the scope of work expands unexpectedly, costs can escalate significantly beyond initial estimates. For the government, this necessitates robust oversight to ensure that labor hours are reasonable and necessary, and that materials are procured at fair market prices. Without strict monitoring, T&M contracts can become more expensive than initially anticipated.

What does the long contract duration (2006-2022, effectively 2017-2022 for the award) imply about the stability and evolution of intelligence training needs?

The effective duration of the contract from January 31, 2017, to July 30, 2022 (over five years), suggests a sustained and evolving need for intelligence training. A long contract period often indicates that the services are critical and ongoing, requiring a stable provider. It also implies that the requirements may have evolved over time, necessitating flexibility within the contract, potentially managed through delivery orders. The longevity could point to a successful partnership between the agency and the contractor, or it might reflect the slow pace of procurement cycles for specialized services. It underscores the continuous investment the government makes in developing its intelligence workforce.

How many delivery orders were issued under this contract, and what does this suggest about contract management?

The data indicates there were 4 delivery orders issued under this contract. The issuance of multiple delivery orders suggests that the contract was structured to allow for phased or modular service delivery over its lifespan. This approach can be beneficial for managing large, long-term requirements, allowing the agency to adapt to changing needs or budget allocations. It implies a degree of active contract management, where specific tasks or training blocks were defined and ordered as needed, rather than a single, monolithic service delivery from the outset. The number of orders is relatively low for a contract of this duration and value, suggesting perhaps larger, more comprehensive delivery orders.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training) in the context of intelligence agencies?

NAICS code 611430 signifies that the training provided focuses on enhancing the professional and managerial capabilities of individuals. For intelligence agencies, this is crucial as their personnel require specialized skills in areas like analysis, operations, leadership, and strategic thinking, often in high-pressure environments. This code indicates that the contract is not for basic education but for advanced development aimed at improving job performance, leadership potential, and overall effectiveness within the intelligence community. It aligns with the federal government's continuous effort to maintain a highly skilled and adaptable workforce capable of addressing complex national security challenges.

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: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3330 WASHINGTON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $77,118,574

Exercised Options: $77,118,574

Current Obligation: $56,856,675

Actual Outlays: $28,163,075

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F217DA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline