GSA Awards $47.8M Engineering Services Contract to SAIC for AFAMS M&S Training Capabilities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $477,812,276 ($477.8M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2020-06-12

End Date: 2025-06-11

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $261.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE

Sector: Engineering Services

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TO IS TO PROVIDE AFAMS AND ITS MISSION PARTNERS WITH ENGINEERING, OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL, CONSULTING, CYBER SECURITY, AND PLANNING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, SUSTAIN, AND ENHANCE M&S TRAINING CAPABILITIES.

Place of Performance

Location: ORLANDO, ORANGE County, FLORIDA, 32826

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $477.8 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TO IS TO PROVIDE AFAMS AND ITS MISSION PARTNERS WITH ENGINEERING, OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL, CONSULTING, CYBER SECURITY, AND PLANNING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, SUSTAIN, AND ENHANCE M&S TRAINING CAPABILITIES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for engineering, technical, and cyber security expertise. 2. Focus on developing, maintaining, and enhancing M&S training capabilities for AFAMS. 3. Contract duration is 5 years, ending June 2025. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, indicating performance incentives. 5. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $47.8 million over 5 years appears reasonable for specialized engineering and cyber security services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale M&S development 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, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for critical training capabilities.

Public Impact

Enhances critical M&S training capabilities for Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS). Supports national defense readiness through advanced training solutions. Potential for technological advancements in simulation and training environments. Cyber security expertise ensures protection of sensitive training data and systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of small business participation.
Cost Plus Award Fee structure requires careful monitoring of performance incentives.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Long-term contract provides stability for capability development.
Addresses critical need for advanced training capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330), a sector crucial for defense and national security. Spending in this area is often high due to the complexity and specialized nature of the services required for advanced training and simulation.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not involved in this contract, as the 'sb' field is false. Future solicitations could explore opportunities for small business subcontracting to foster broader economic participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service, indicating established oversight mechanisms. The multi-year duration and performance-based fee structure necessitate ongoing monitoring by AFAMS and GSA.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in due to long contract duration.
Lack of small business participation.
Cost Plus Award Fee requires diligent performance monitoring.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $477.8 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TO IS TO PROVIDE AFAMS AND ITS MISSION PARTNERS WITH ENGINEERING, OPERATIONAL, TECHNICAL, CONSULTING, CYBER SECURITY, AND PLANNING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN, SUSTAIN, AND ENHANCE M&S TRAINING CAPABILITIES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $477.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-06-12. End: 2025-06-11.

How will the performance incentives in the Cost Plus Award Fee structure be measured to ensure optimal value and prevent cost overruns?

The effectiveness of the Cost Plus Award Fee structure hinges on clearly defined performance metrics and objective evaluation criteria established by AFAMS. Regular performance reviews and transparent communication between the government and SAIC are crucial. The agency must ensure that award fees are tied to measurable outcomes directly related to the development, maintenance, and enhancement of M&S training capabilities, thereby incentivizing efficiency and quality while mitigating risks of uncontrolled cost escalation.

What specific risks are associated with relying solely on SAIC for these critical M&S training capabilities over a five-year period?

Sole reliance on one contractor for five years carries risks of vendor lock-in, potential stagnation of innovation if competition is limited post-award, and vulnerability if SAIC faces financial or operational difficulties. The government should maintain robust oversight and contingency planning. Exploring opportunities for knowledge transfer and potentially introducing competition for future phases or related efforts can mitigate these risks and ensure long-term capability resilience.

How effectively will the engineering and cyber security expertise provided by SAIC translate into tangible improvements in AFAMS' M&S training capabilities?

The effectiveness will be measured by SAIC's ability to meet or exceed the performance standards outlined in the contract, particularly concerning the development, maintenance, and enhancement of M&S training systems. Tangible improvements could include increased fidelity of simulations, enhanced user experience for trainees, improved cybersecurity posture of training platforms, and greater operational efficiency. Regular technical reviews and user feedback from AFAMS personnel will be key indicators of success.

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: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010, SUNSET HILLS ROAD, RESTON, VA, 20190

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $737,612,817

Exercised Options: $737,612,817

Current Obligation: $477,812,276

Actual Outlays: $-174,610

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 265

Total Subaward Amount: $475,578,256

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU130

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline