Over $22.8 million awarded for Mojave Viper Exercises, supporting critical training operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,843,944 ($22.8M)

Contractor: Tatitlek Support Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2008-06-11

End Date: 2008-12-31

Contract Duration: 203 days

Daily Burn Rate: $112.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MOJAVE VIPER EXERCISES

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $22.8 million to TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES INC for work described as: MOJAVE VIPER EXERCISES Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in military readiness and training infrastructure. 2. Tatitlek Support Services Inc. secured this award, indicating a specific capability match for the requirement. 3. The duration of the contract (203 days) suggests a focused, short-term operational need. 4. Facilities Support Services are essential for the effective execution of large-scale military exercises. 5. The fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty for the government. 6. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests the requirement may not have been suitable for such provisions.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparable exercise support contracts. The fixed-price nature provides some cost control, but the overall value-for-money depends heavily on the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided by Tatitlek Support Services Inc. Given the lack of competition, a thorough review of performance and pricing against industry standards would be prudent.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, or in urgent situations. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve the best possible pricing and terms.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts, as there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest price.

Public Impact

Military personnel participating in the Mojave Viper Exercises benefit from well-supported training environments. The contract ensures the provision of essential facilities support services, crucial for operational readiness. The geographic impact is primarily within the training area designated for the Mojave Viper Exercises. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for support staff managed by Tatitlek Support Services Inc.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced incentive for efficiency.
Limited transparency into the sole-source justification and evaluation process.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support services could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Tatitlek Support Services Inc. likely possesses specialized knowledge or capabilities required for this specific exercise.
Fixed-price contract type offers budget predictability.
The award supports a critical military training initiative, contributing to national security.

Sector Analysis

Facilities Support Services (NAICS 561210) is a broad category encompassing a wide range of services essential for the operation and maintenance of facilities. In the context of military exercises, these services are critical for ensuring training grounds are operational, secure, and equipped. The market for these services is competitive, but specific requirements, like those for specialized military training, can sometimes lead to sole-source or limited competition awards. The value of this contract, while substantial, needs to be viewed against the unique demands of supporting large-scale military operations.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor is there an indication of significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The nature of the requirement and the sole-source award likely contributed to this. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any aspects of the support services could have been effectively subcontracted to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. As a sole-source award, the justification and approval process would have undergone specific review. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature, but performance metrics and delivery would be monitored. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Military Training Support Contracts
Base Operations Support Services
Facilities Maintenance and Management Contracts
Department of Defense Exercise Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support.
Limited public information on specific service details and performance metrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $22.8 million to TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES INC. MOJAVE VIPER EXERCISES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TATITLEK SUPPORT SERVICES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-06-11. End: 2008-12-31.

What specific facilities support services were included in the $22.8 million award for Mojave Viper Exercises?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 561210, Facilities Support Services. While specific line items are not detailed, this category typically encompasses a broad range of services essential for the operation and maintenance of facilities. For military exercises like Mojave Viper, this could include services such as grounds maintenance, waste management, facility cleaning, security support, logistical assistance, transportation, and potentially the setup and dismantling of temporary structures or equipment. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), which is not publicly available in this data snippet. The substantial value suggests a comprehensive suite of services was required to support the scale and duration of the exercises.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis instead of being competed?

The data explicitly states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is capable of providing the required goods or services. Common reasons include unique capabilities, proprietary technology, urgent and compelling needs where competition is not feasible, or when the requirement is a logical follow-on to a previous contract where only the original contractor can provide the necessary support without significant duplication of cost or unacceptable delay. Without the specific justification documentation, it's impossible to know the precise reason, but it implies Tatitlek Support Services Inc. was deemed the only viable option by the Department of the Navy.

How does the $22.8 million contract value compare to similar military training support contracts?

Direct comparison of the $22.8 million value is difficult without knowing the precise scope and duration of services rendered. However, large-scale military exercises often require significant logistical and facilities support, making such contract values not uncommon. For instance, contracts for base operations support or major training events can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale, location, and complexity. The 203-day duration suggests a focused, albeit intensive, period of support. To assess value-for-money, one would need to compare the unit costs of specific services provided (e.g., per-person support, equipment rental, facility upkeep) against industry benchmarks or other government contracts for similar support during exercises of comparable size and intensity.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude?

Sole-source awards, especially for significant amounts like $22.8 million, carry inherent risks. The primary risk is the potential for reduced value-for-money due to the lack of price competition. Without competing bids, the government may pay a higher price than if multiple contractors had vied for the contract. There's also a risk of complacency from the contractor, as there's no competitive pressure to innovate or improve efficiency post-award. Furthermore, reliance on a single provider can create vulnerabilities; if Tatitlek Support Services Inc. experiences performance issues, financial instability, or faces unforeseen challenges, the continuity of critical support for the Mojave Viper Exercises could be jeopardized, potentially impacting military readiness.

What is the track record of Tatitlek Support Services Inc. in providing facilities support services to the government?

Tatitlek Support Services Inc. is a known government contractor, often associated with services in remote or specialized environments, particularly in Alaska, as suggested by its name and state code 'AK'. While this specific contract award is for Mojave Viper Exercises, their broader portfolio likely includes various support services. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports), other contract awards, and any history of disputes or performance issues. Given this is a sole-source award, the government likely had prior positive experience or specific knowledge of their capabilities relevant to this requirement, but a deeper dive into their performance history is crucial for a complete understanding.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: THE Tatitlek Corporation (UEI: 103357398)

Address: 3003 MINNESOTA DR STE 204, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,843,944

Exercised Options: $22,843,944

Current Obligation: $22,843,944

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: M6785408D8029

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline