DoD's $17.5M Nuclear Weapons Transportation Security Contract Awarded to URS Federal Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,517,137 ($17.5M)
Contractor: URS Federal Services International, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-01-03
End Date: 2012-03-01
Contract Duration: 423 days
Daily Burn Rate: $41.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Defense
Official Description: NUCLEAR WEAPONS TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
Place of Performance
Location: CLEVELAND, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44114
State: Ohio Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $17.5 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC for work described as: NUCLEAR WEAPONS TRANSPORTATION SECURITY Key points: 1. Contract awarded to URS Federal Services International, Inc. for nuclear weapons transportation security. 2. The contract value is $17,517,136.66. 3. The contract falls under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code. 4. This service is critical for national security, involving high-risk transportation of sensitive materials.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking this specific service is difficult due to its specialized nature.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, the specific pricing discovery mechanisms are not detailed.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for a critical national security function, ensuring the safe and secure transport of nuclear weapons.
Public Impact
Ensures the secure transportation of nuclear weapons, a vital component of national defense. Supports the Department of Defense's mission to maintain strategic deterrence. Requires highly specialized personnel and stringent security protocols. Potential for cost escalation due to the nature of cost-plus contracts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Lack of detailed pricing benchmarks for this niche service.
- Potential security risks associated with transportation of nuclear materials.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Addresses a critical national security requirement.
- Contract duration of over a year indicates a sustained need.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the defense sector, specifically focusing on specialized logistics and security for high-value, sensitive assets. Spending benchmarks for nuclear weapons transportation security are not readily available due to its unique and classified nature.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the award went to URS Federal Services International, Inc., a large corporation. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific contract award.
Oversight & Accountability
The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) is responsible for oversight. The contract type and nature of the service necessitate rigorous oversight to ensure cost control and security compliance.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Defense Contract Management Agency Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost overruns due to CPFF contract type.
- Limited competition pool for highly specialized services.
- Inherent risks associated with nuclear weapons transportation.
- Potential for security vulnerabilities.
- Difficulty in establishing robust cost benchmarks.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, oh, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $17.5 million to URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. NUCLEAR WEAPONS TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is URS FEDERAL SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Defense Contract Management Agency).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-01-03. End: 2012-03-01.
What are the specific performance metrics used to evaluate the effectiveness of URS Federal Services in nuclear weapons transportation security?
Performance metrics likely include adherence to strict security protocols, successful completion of transport missions without incident, compliance with all regulatory requirements, and timely delivery. The effectiveness is also measured by the absence of security breaches or accidents during transit, ensuring the integrity and safety of the nuclear materials throughout the transportation process.
How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure impact the overall risk to taxpayers for this specialized security service?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure allows the contractor to recoup all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. This can increase taxpayer risk if costs are not meticulously managed and controlled, as the government bears the burden of cost overruns. Effective oversight is crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure the fixed fee remains appropriate for the services rendered.
What are the primary challenges in ensuring effective competition for highly specialized defense services like nuclear weapons transportation security?
Challenges include the limited number of contractors possessing the necessary security clearances, specialized expertise, and infrastructure. The classified nature of the work can also restrict information sharing, making it difficult for potential competitors to fully understand requirements. This often leads to a smaller pool of qualified bidders, potentially impacting the level of price competition achieved.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: DTRA0101R0015
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: AECOM (UEI: 153561212)
Address: 1500 W 3RD ST. STE 200, CLEVELAND, OH, 44113
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $40,441,060
Exercised Options: $27,135,880
Current Obligation: $17,517,137
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DTRA0101D0012
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-01-03
Current End Date: 2012-03-01
Potential End Date: 2012-03-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2018-06-27
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