GSA awards $27.7M engineering services contract to BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC for C4ISR mission support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,669,728 ($27.7M)

Contractor: Bear Defense Services LLC

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2019-07-22

End Date: 2020-07-21

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $75.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SUPPORT EFFORT FOR THE SOCPAC COCO C4ISR MISSION

Place of Performance

Location: CAMP H M SMITH, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96861

State: Hawaii Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $27.7 million to BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC for work described as: SUPPORT EFFORT FOR THE SOCPAC COCO C4ISR MISSION Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical C4ISR capabilities. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market alternatives. 3. Limited competition may indicate specialized requirements or a lack of qualified bidders. 4. Performance period of one year suggests a focused, short-term support need. 5. Engineering services are essential for maintaining and advancing complex defense systems. 6. The contract falls under the engineering services NAICS code, aligning with specialized technical support.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $27.7 million for one year of engineering services requires careful benchmarking. Without comparative data on similar C4ISR mission support contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing value for money is difficult. The sole-source nature of the award further complicates a direct price comparison to competitively bid opportunities. It is essential to understand the specific services rendered and the contractor's cost structure to determine if the pricing is reasonable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process. While sole-source awards can be justified for unique capabilities or urgent needs, they typically result in less price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the cost savings that typically arise from multiple vendors vying for a contract. This could translate to a higher overall expenditure for the services provided.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military personnel and units relying on the SOCPAC C4ISR mission for operational effectiveness. Services delivered are crucial for the functioning and enhancement of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems. The geographic impact is centered around the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (SOCPAC) area of responsibility. Workforce implications may involve specialized engineers and technical personnel employed by BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to sole-sourcing.
Potential for cost overruns if not rigorously managed due to limited competition.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical C4ISR support.

Positive Signals

Contract supports a critical national security mission (C4ISR).
Award to a specific company suggests they possess unique or essential capabilities.
General Services Administration (GSA) is overseeing the contract, implying established procurement procedures.
Contract is for engineering services, indicating a focus on technical expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a market characterized by specialized technical expertise and often high barriers to entry. The total addressable market for engineering services supporting defense and government clients is substantial, with significant spending allocated to C4ISR systems. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for similar mission support, system integration, and technical services within the defense and intelligence communities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC, a single entity, suggests that small business participation was not a primary consideration in this specific procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine if BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC itself is a small business or if there are opportunities for small businesses to engage with them on other contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is provided by the General Services Administration (GSA), specifically through its Federal Acquisition Service. GSA typically has established processes for contract management and performance monitoring. However, the sole-source nature of the award necessitates heightened scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and effective delivery. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and performance metrics would be key accountability measures.

Related Government Programs

C4ISR Systems Modernization
Defense Engineering Services
Indo-Pacific Command Support
Federal IT and Engineering Contracts
GSA Schedule Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and Materials pricing
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $27.7 million to BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC. SUPPORT EFFORT FOR THE SOCPAC COCO C4ISR MISSION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $27.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-07-22. End: 2020-07-21.

What specific C4ISR mission support services does BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC provide under this contract?

The contract data indicates the effort is for 'SUPPORT EFFORT FOR THE SOCPAC COCO C4ISR MISSION.' While specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided summary, C4ISR mission support typically encompasses a range of activities. These can include the design, development, integration, testing, maintenance, and operational support of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance systems. This might involve software engineering, hardware integration, network management, cybersecurity, intelligence analysis support, and training for personnel operating these complex systems. The 'COCO' designation could refer to a specific component or program within the SOCPAC's C4ISR architecture, implying specialized technical knowledge is required.

How does the $27.7 million contract value compare to similar C4ISR support contracts awarded by the government?

Benchmarking this $27.7 million contract requires access to a broader dataset of similar C4ISR support contracts, ideally those awarded by the Department of Defense or other agencies with comparable mission requirements. Without specific details on the scope of work, duration, and performance metrics, a direct comparison is challenging. However, contracts for specialized engineering and technical support for complex defense systems can range from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, depending on the scale and criticality of the mission. The fact that this is a one-year, sole-source award for $27.7 million suggests a focused, potentially high-value niche requirement. Further analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar NAICS codes (541330) and service descriptions within the defense sector.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical C4ISR mission support?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for critical C4ISR mission support include potential lack of price competition, leading to higher costs for the government. There's also a risk of reduced innovation and service quality, as the contractor faces less pressure to improve. Furthermore, over-reliance on a single provider can create vulnerabilities if the contractor experiences financial instability, performance issues, or if their specialized knowledge becomes a bottleneck. Ensuring robust oversight, detailed performance metrics, and clear contract terms is crucial to mitigate these risks. The government must also periodically reassess the need for sole-sourcing to ensure competition is not being unnecessarily excluded.

What is the track record of BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC in providing C4ISR or similar engineering services?

Information regarding the specific track record of BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC in providing C4ISR or similar engineering services is not detailed in the provided summary data. To assess their track record, one would typically review past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous government contracts. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards to BEAR DEFENSE SERVICES LLC, examining contract close-out reports, and potentially looking for past performance information submitted by the agency. A thorough review would help determine their experience, reliability, and capability in handling complex engineering and mission support requirements.

How does the contract's Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure impact cost control and value for money?

The contract utilizes a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure. T&M contracts pay the contractor for the actual cost of direct labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee or profit. While T&M can offer flexibility for requirements that are not well-defined upfront, it carries inherent risks for cost control. The government bears a greater risk of cost overruns, as the final price is not fixed. Effective cost control under T&M relies heavily on robust government oversight, detailed monitoring of labor hours and material costs, and clear definitions of what constitutes billable time and materials. Without strong management, T&M can lead to higher overall costs compared to fixed-price contracts, potentially impacting the value for money achieved.

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: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFCA19R0042

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4751 JIM WALTER BLVD HANGAR 4, TAMPA, FL, 33607

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $53,045,981

Exercised Options: $53,045,981

Current Obligation: $27,669,728

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline