Naval Air Warfare Center Training contract awarded to D.P. Associates Inc. for $17.5M over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,048,603 ($10.0M)

Contractor: D.P. Associates Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2003-10-01

End Date: 2009-08-31

Contract Duration: 2,161 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: 200406!000010!1700!A8305 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!N6133900D0030 !A!N! !N!0017 ! !20031001!20040930!175339498!175339498!175339498!N!D P ASSOCIATES, INC !3401 COLUMBIA PIKE - 4TH F!ARLINGTON !VA!22204!57048!710!51!NORFOLK NAS !NORFOLK (CITY) !VIRGINIA !+000002391157!N!N!000000000000!6910!TRAINING AIDS !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !* !511199!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !A!U!U!2!001!K! !Z!N!Z! ! !N!B!N!N! ! !A! !B!A!00 !A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA BEACH CITY County, VIRGINIA, 23460

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.0 million to D.P. ASSOCIATES INC. for work described as: 200406!000010!1700!A8305 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!N6133900D0030 !A!N! !N!0017 ! !20031001!20040930!175339498!175339498!175339498!N!D P ASSOCIATES, INC !3401 COLUMBIA PIKE - 4TH F!ARLINGTON !VA!22204!57048!710!51!NORFOLK NAS !NORF… Key points: 1. Contract value of $17.5M for training aids suggests a significant investment in simulation or educational tools. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The duration of over 5 years suggests a long-term need for these training aids. 4. The primary service area is Norfolk, VA, indicating a focus on naval operations in that region. 5. The contract's classification under 'Training Aids' points to a specific niche within defense procurement.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total contract value of $17.5M over approximately 5.8 years averages to about $3M per year. Without specific benchmarks for training aids, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the competitive nature of the award suggests that pricing was likely scrutinized. Further analysis would require comparing this contract's scope and deliverables to similar training aid contracts awarded by the DoD or other agencies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This indicates that while the competition was open, there might have been initial exclusions or specific requirements that narrowed the field before the final open competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation generally implies a robust competitive environment.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovation among contractors.

Public Impact

Naval personnel in the Norfolk, VA area will benefit from enhanced training capabilities. The contract delivers training aids, likely supporting the development and maintenance of skills for naval aviation operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in Virginia, specifically around naval installations like Norfolk NAS. Workforce implications may include support roles for the development, maintenance, and deployment of these training aids.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the scope of 'training aids' is broad and not tightly defined.
Risk of obsolescence if training technology evolves rapidly and the procured aids become outdated.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair price discovery process.
Long-term contract duration indicates a stable and ongoing need, potentially leading to efficiencies.
Focus on a specific training niche may allow for specialized expertise and better outcomes.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader defense sector, specifically focusing on training and simulation technologies. The market for defense training aids is substantial, driven by the need for realistic and cost-effective preparation for complex military operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other contracts for flight simulators, virtual reality training systems, and other educational tools for military personnel.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly detailed in the provided data. The contract was awarded to D.P. Associates Inc., and without further information on their size or subcontracting activities, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear. Further investigation into the contractor's size status and subcontracting reports would be necessary.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance clauses and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Naval Training Systems
Defense Simulation and Training
Military Education Technology
Aviation Training Devices

Risk Flags

Potential for technological obsolescence
Unclear scope of 'training aids'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.0 million to D.P. ASSOCIATES INC.. 200406!000010!1700!A8305 !NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER TRAININ!N6133900D0030 !A!N! !N!0017 ! !20031001!20040930!175339498!175339498!175339498!N!D P ASSOCIATES, INC !3401 COLUMBIA PIKE - 4TH F!ARLINGTON !VA!22204!57048!710!51!NORFOLK NAS !NORFOLK (CITY) !VIRGINIA !+000002391157!N!N!000000000000!6910!TRAINING AIDS !C9E!ALL OTHER SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT !000 !* !511199!E! !5!B!S! ! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is D.P. ASSOCIATES 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 $10.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-10-01. End: 2009-08-31.

What specific types of training aids were procured under this contract?

The contract specifies 'TRAINING AIDS' under the Product Service Code (PSC) 511199, which covers 'All Other Publishers'. This broad classification suggests a range of potential items, possibly including but not limited to, instructional materials, simulation software, physical training equipment, or virtual reality systems. Without more granular detail within the contract's statement of work, the exact nature of the training aids remains unspecified. Further inquiry would be needed to determine if these were physical devices, digital platforms, or a combination thereof, and their specific application within naval aviation training.

How does the $17.5M contract value compare to similar training aid contracts for naval aviation?

Benchmarking the $17.5M contract value requires comparing it to similar contracts for training aids within naval aviation. The provided data indicates a duration of over 5 years, making the annual average around $3M. This figure needs to be contextualized by the complexity and scope of the training aids. For instance, contracts for advanced flight simulators can run into tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, while contracts for simpler instructional materials would be significantly less. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing the number of units, technological sophistication, and service components (e.g., maintenance, software updates) of comparable contracts awarded by the Department of the Navy or other branches for similar training purposes.

What is the track record of D.P. Associates Inc. in fulfilling defense contracts, particularly for training aids?

D.P. Associates Inc. was awarded this $17.5M contract for training aids by the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on similar contracts. This includes reviewing contract histories for on-time delivery, quality of goods/services, adherence to budget, and any past performance issues or disputes. Information on previous awards, their values, and the agencies involved would provide a clearer picture of their experience and reliability in the defense training sector. A review of federal procurement databases and contractor performance assessment reporting (CPARS) would be essential for a thorough evaluation.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term contract for training aids?

Long-term contracts for training aids, like this one spanning over 5 years, carry several potential risks. Technological obsolescence is a primary concern; the rapid pace of innovation in simulation and training technology could render the procured aids outdated before the contract's end. Furthermore, the extended duration might lead to less favorable pricing over time if market conditions change or if initial cost estimates were inaccurate. There's also a risk of contractor performance degradation over a long period, or a decline in the relevance of the training aids if operational requirements evolve. Effective contract management, including regular reviews and potential for modification, is crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award type impact cost and quality?

The award type 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' suggests a nuanced competitive process. While 'full and open' generally promotes robust competition, leading to potentially better pricing and quality, the 'after exclusion of sources' qualifier implies that certain potential bidders may have been disqualified or excluded based on pre-defined criteria before the final competition phase. This could limit the overall number of competitors. The impact on cost and quality depends on the justification for the exclusions; if exclusions were based on necessary qualifications or security requirements, the competition might still yield good results. However, if exclusions were arbitrary, it could potentially stifle competition and lead to suboptimal outcomes for taxpayers.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers › All Other Publishers

Product/Service Code: TRAINING AIDS AND DEVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

Address: 3401 COLUMBIA PIKE - 4TH F, ARLINGTON, VA, 22204

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N6133900D0030

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline