DoD Awards $73M Engineering Services Contract to Adams Communication & Engineering Technology for Fixed Wing Project

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $73,145,788 ($73.1M)

Contractor: Adams Communication & Engineering Technology, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2015-06-01

End Date: 2019-06-30

Contract Duration: 1,490 days

Daily Burn Rate: $49.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF AWARD OF REQUEST OF TASK EXECUTION PLAN 0771 FOR FIXED WING PROJECT OFFICE.

Place of Performance

Location: WALDORF, CHARLES County, MARYLAND, 20602

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $73.1 million to ADAMS COMMUNICATION & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, INC. for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF AWARD OF REQUEST OF TASK EXECUTION PLAN 0771 FOR FIXED WING PROJECT OFFICE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Adams Communication & Engineering Technology, Inc. for engineering services. 2. The contract is for the Fixed Wing Project Office, indicating a focus on aviation-related defense needs. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 1490 days, spanning from June 2015 to June 2019. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $73.15 million for engineering services over nearly four years appears reasonable given the scope of supporting a fixed-wing project office. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure warrants scrutiny for potential cost inefficiencies compared to fixed-price contracts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically fosters competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of qualified contractors to bid. This method is generally expected to yield fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition suggests an effort to secure value for taxpayer money. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type introduces a risk of costs exceeding initial estimates, potentially impacting the overall taxpayer investment.

Public Impact

Supports critical Department of the Army aviation projects, potentially impacting national defense capabilities. The duration of the contract suggests a long-term need for specialized engineering expertise. Funding for this contract comes from taxpayer dollars, highlighting the need for efficient resource allocation. The specific nature of 'Fixed Wing Project Office' implies a focus on aircraft development, maintenance, or modernization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
Long contract duration may lead to scope creep or evolving requirements.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, promoting market efficiency.
Contract supports a critical defense project (Fixed Wing Project Office).
Experienced contractor (ADAMS COMMUNICATION & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, INC.) likely possesses relevant expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting defense-related aviation projects. Benchmarks for similar large-scale, long-duration engineering contracts in the defense sector can vary widely based on complexity and specific deliverables.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication in the provided data that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small business goals were set or met.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, a component of the Department of Defense. Oversight would typically involve program managers and contracting officers responsible for monitoring performance, costs, and adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Army Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Long contract duration.
Lack of specific performance metrics.
No mention of small business participation.
Potential for cost overruns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $73.1 million to ADAMS COMMUNICATION & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, INC.. IGF::OT::IGF AWARD OF REQUEST OF TASK EXECUTION PLAN 0771 FOR FIXED WING PROJECT OFFICE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADAMS COMMUNICATION & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $73.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2015-06-01. End: 2019-06-30.

What were the specific engineering services provided under this contract, and how did they contribute to the Fixed Wing Project Office's objectives?

The provided data does not detail the specific engineering services rendered. These could range from design and development to testing and integration of fixed-wing aircraft systems. Understanding these specifics is crucial for assessing the contract's true value and effectiveness in meeting the project's technical and operational goals.

How did the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the final cost compared to potential alternative contract types for this project?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While it facilitates contracting for uncertain scopes, it carries a risk of cost escalation if costs are not tightly controlled. A comparison with fixed-price contracts would reveal if the flexibility offered by CPFF justified any potential cost premium.

What mechanisms were in place to ensure accountability and measure the effectiveness of ADAMS COMMUNICATION & ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY, INC.'s performance throughout the contract's duration?

The data does not specify the oversight mechanisms. Typically, accountability involves regular progress reports, performance reviews, and milestone tracking. Effectiveness would be measured against defined technical requirements and project milestones. The absence of this detail raises questions about the transparency of performance management.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 5

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10740 PARKRIDGE BLVD STE 700, RESTON, VA, 20191

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $73,145,788

Exercised Options: $73,145,788

Current Obligation: $73,145,788

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: W15P7T10DD420

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline