DoD's $37.9M SETA Support Contract Awarded to COLSA Corp Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $37,946,742 ($37.9M)
Contractor: Colsa Corp
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-09-14
End Date: 2015-03-27
Contract Duration: 1,290 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SETA SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80914
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $37.9 million to COLSA CORP for work described as: SETA SUPPORT Key points: 1. The contract, valued at $37.9 million, was awarded to COLSA Corp for SETA support. 2. It was procured through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration was 1290 days, spanning from September 2011 to March 2015. 4. The NAICS code 541712 suggests research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 5. The contract type was Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's value of $37.9 million for SETA support appears reasonable given the 4-year duration. Benchmarking against similar R&D support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
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 method suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources were initially excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests efforts to secure fair pricing for taxpayers, though the specific exclusion of sources warrants further review.
Public Impact
Taxpayers funded nearly $38 million for specialized research and development support services. The contract supported the Department of the Army's research initiatives. COLSA Corp, the awardee, provided services over a period of approximately 3.5 years. The contract's research and development focus implies contributions to technological advancements or scientific understanding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor costs.
- Exclusion of sources in competition may limit optimal price discovery.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process.
- Contract duration provided stability for service delivery.
- Clear identification of the performing agency and contractor.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight to ensure efficient use of funds.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication in the provided data whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine their participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Army, implying oversight from this agency. However, details on specific oversight mechanisms, performance reviews, or accountability measures are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Army Programs
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
- Exclusion of sources in competition.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Limited information on small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, co, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $37.9 million to COLSA CORP. SETA SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COLSA CORP.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $37.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-09-14. End: 2015-03-27.
What was the specific nature of the SETA support provided, and how did it contribute to the Department of the Army's mission?
SETA (Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance) support typically involves specialized expertise to assist government agencies with complex technical and management challenges. For the Department of the Army, this could range from program management and systems engineering to acquisition support and scientific analysis. The specific contribution would depend on the Army's project requirements, aiming to enhance program effectiveness, reduce risks, and ensure successful project outcomes through expert guidance.
How did the exclusion of sources in the 'full and open competition' process potentially impact the final contract price and overall value for the government?
Excluding sources from a 'full and open competition' can limit the number of potential bidders, potentially reducing the competitive pressure on pricing. While the process aimed for openness, the initial exclusion might have prevented potentially lower bids from unexcluded entities. The government may have justified these exclusions based on specific technical requirements or past performance, but it raises a question about whether the most cost-effective solution was secured.
Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, what mechanisms were in place to control costs and ensure the contractor remained efficient?
CPFF contracts reimburse the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee representing profit. To control costs and ensure efficiency, the government would typically implement robust oversight, including regular audits of expenditures, performance monitoring against defined milestones, and strict adherence to the contract's scope of work. Clear communication channels and defined deliverables are crucial to prevent cost creep and ensure the contractor operates within the agreed-upon parameters.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: W9126009R0002
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6728 ODYSSEY DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Subchapter S Corporation, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $80,152,032
Exercised Options: $58,838,163
Current Obligation: $37,946,742
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: W9126009D0003
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-09-14
Current End Date: 2015-03-27
Potential End Date: 2015-09-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-12-31
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