Cost-of-Living Data Collection and Analysis

The Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA) is seeking cost-of-living data collection and analysis services to support the determination of accurate Cost-of-Living Allowances (COLA) for military personnel. The contractor will collect and analyze non-housing price data from both Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside Continental United States (OCONUS) locations, utilizing advanced methods including market surveys, predictive modeling, and geospatial analysis to maintain current COLA rates for over 1 million service members. Key requirements include developing representative market baskets of goods and services, collecting price data from multiple vendors across hundreds of military locations worldwide, providing annual price data submissions by July 15, and delivering weekly foreign exchange rate updates. The evaluation will focus on technical capability as the most important factor, followed by past performance, with price being significantly less important than the other two criteria. Questions were due February 26, 2025, with proposals due March 24, 2025, and an estimated award date of May 15, 2025.

This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS code 541611 with a size standard of $24.5 million, and DecisionPoint Corporation is identified as the incumbent contractor in this re-compete solicitation. The contract structure is a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) arrangement with a five-year ordering period from May 15, 2025 through May 14, 2030, featuring a minimum guarantee of $25,000 and a not-to-exceed travel budget of $65,000 over the contract duration. The pricing structure includes four labor categories totaling 5,500 estimated hours per ordering period: Program Manager (1,000 hours), Senior Data Analyst (1,500 hours), Economic Research Specialist (1,200 hours), and Junior Data Analyst (1,800 hours). The first task order will run for 12 months from May 15, 2025 through May 14, 2026, and work may be performed at the contractor's facility or approved remote locations. The primary place of performance is listed as Alexandria, Virginia, though the work involves global data collection activities across all U.S. states, territories, and international military installations.