DoD's $15.3M engineering services contract with Imperatis Corp. awarded via full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,276,135 ($15.3M)
Contractor: Imperatis Corp.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2007-07-30
End Date: 2016-06-30
Contract Duration: 3,258 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: SABER FOCUS
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22202
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $15.3 million to IMPERATIS CORP. for work described as: SABER FOCUS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services, indicating a need for specialized technical expertise. 2. The duration of the contract (over 8 years) suggests a long-term requirement for these services. 3. Awarded under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure, which can shift risk to the government. 4. The contract was awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to a focus on engineering services. 6. The contract was a delivery order, implying it was part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $15.3 million contract is challenging without specific deliverables or performance metrics. The CPFF structure, while common for R&D or uncertain scope work, can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Comparing it to similar engineering services contracts would require detailed scope analysis, but the multi-year duration suggests a significant investment in specialized support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, encouraging bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions. The presence of multiple bidders suggests that the market for these engineering services is sufficiently robust to support competitive procurement.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it tends to drive down prices and improve the quality of services received through market forces.
Public Impact
The Department of Defense benefits from specialized engineering expertise to support its various missions. Services delivered likely include design, analysis, testing, and technical consultation related to defense systems or infrastructure. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around DoD facilities or operational areas where the engineering support is required. Workforce implications may include the employment of engineers, technicians, and support staff by the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can incentivize contractors to increase costs to maximize their fee, requiring strong government oversight.
- The long contract duration may lead to vendor lock-in if not managed proactively.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a healthy market and competitive pricing.
- The contract supports critical defense engineering needs, contributing to national security.
- The contractor, Imperatis Corp., has a track record of performing government contracts.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often supports complex government and private sector projects. Spending in this area is driven by the need for advanced technical solutions, research and development, and project management for large-scale initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific engineering discipline and agency.
Small Business Impact
Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided for this contract. As it was awarded under full and open competition, it does not appear to have been specifically set aside for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were mandated or utilized.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and administrative contracting officer within the Department of Defense. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, including reporting requirements and performance evaluations. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may be limited.
Related Government Programs
- Defense Engineering Services
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contracts
- Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Contracts
Risk Flags
- Cost-reimbursement contract type (CPFF) requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Long contract duration may indicate potential for vendor lock-in.
- Lack of specific performance metrics hinders objective value assessment.
Tags
defense, department-of-defense, engineering-services, imperatis-corp, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, long-term-contract, virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $15.3 million to IMPERATIS CORP.. SABER FOCUS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is IMPERATIS CORP..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $15.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-07-30. End: 2016-06-30.
What specific engineering services were provided under this contract?
While the contract specifies 'Engineering Services' under NAICS code 541330, the precise nature of these services is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, engineering services for the Department of Defense can encompass a wide range of activities, including but not limited to systems engineering, design and development, technical analysis, testing and evaluation, logistics support, and program management. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure suggests that the scope may have involved some level of uncertainty or research and development, where exact requirements might evolve over the contract's lifespan. Further investigation into contract line item numbers (CLINs) or task orders would be necessary to ascertain the specific technical contributions.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact the value for money in this contract?
The CPFF structure means the contractor is reimbursed for all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. While this structure is often used when the scope of work is uncertain or involves significant research and development, it shifts a considerable amount of financial risk to the government. The contractor has less incentive to control costs, as their profit (the fee) is fixed regardless of the final cost. Therefore, effective government oversight, rigorous cost monitoring, and clear performance metrics are crucial to ensure value for money. Without such controls, CPFF contracts can be susceptible to cost overruns compared to fixed-price contracts.
What is the significance of this contract being a 'Delivery Order'?
The designation of this award as a 'Delivery Order' indicates that it was likely issued under a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. IDIQ contracts establish terms and conditions for services over a period, allowing agencies to issue specific orders (delivery or task orders) as needs arise. This approach provides flexibility for the government to procure services incrementally. The fact that this was a delivery order suggests that Imperatis Corp. was one of potentially multiple awardees on a parent IDIQ contract, and this specific order represented a defined need within that framework.
What does the duration of over 8 years imply about the nature of the services and contractor performance?
A contract duration spanning over 8 years (3258 days) suggests a sustained and critical need for the engineering services provided by Imperatis Corp. within the Department of Defense. Such long-term engagements often indicate complex, ongoing requirements that are integral to the agency's operations or strategic goals. It also implies a level of trust and satisfactory performance from the contractor, as agencies are generally reluctant to commit to such extended periods without confidence in the provider's capabilities and reliability. However, long durations can also present risks of vendor lock-in and potential for complacency if not actively managed and re-competed periodically.
How does the NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) position this contract within the broader federal procurement landscape?
The NAICS code 541330 specifically identifies the primary business activity as providing engineering services. This places the contract firmly within the professional, scientific, and technical services category, a significant area of federal spending. Contracts under this code typically involve the application of engineering principles to design, develop, and manage projects, systems, and infrastructure. For the Department of Defense, these services are crucial for everything from weapons system development and maintenance to facility design and cybersecurity engineering. Federal agencies frequently procure services under this code to access specialized expertise they may not possess internally.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2900 S QUINCY ST STE 400, ARLINGTON, VA, 22206
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,320,256
Exercised Options: $20,320,256
Current Obligation: $15,276,135
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W911QX05D0009
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-07-30
Current End Date: 2016-06-30
Potential End Date: 2016-06-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-07-13
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