GSA Awards $21.5M Contract for Mission Awareness Capabilities to Applied Research Associates, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,538,885 ($21.5M)

Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2026-03-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 183 days

Daily Burn Rate: $117.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MISSION AWARENESS CAPABILITIES RAMPUP AND OPTIMIZATION MACRO BRIDGE

Place of Performance

Location: TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33609

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $21.5 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: MISSION AWARENESS CAPABILITIES RAMPUP AND OPTIMIZATION MACRO BRIDGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Applied Research Associates, Inc. for $21.5M. 2. Focuses on 'Mission Awareness Capabilities Rampup and Optimization'. 3. Contract duration is 183 days. 4. Procurement method was Full and Open Competition. 5. Service category is Engineering Services (NAICS 541330).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. The award amount of $21.5M for a 183-day period suggests a significant per-day expenditure.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for engineering services aimed at enhancing mission awareness capabilities.

Public Impact

Enhances critical mission awareness capabilities for government operations. Supports technological advancement in defense or operational intelligence. Potential for improved efficiency and effectiveness in mission execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize cost overruns.
Short contract duration may indicate a specific, time-sensitive need or a pilot program.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded through Full and Open Competition, suggesting a competitive process.
Contract aims to optimize critical mission awareness capabilities.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services, particularly those focused on mission awareness, are crucial for government operations. Benchmarks for such specialized services can vary widely based on complexity and duration, but $21.5M for a 183-day period is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the prime contractor is Applied Research Associates, Inc. There is no information provided on whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded this contract through its Federal Acquisition Service. Oversight would typically involve monitoring contractor performance, cost adherence, and delivery against contract requirements.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
General Services Administration Contracting
Federal Acquisition Service Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Short contract duration.
Limited detail on specific deliverables and performance metrics.
No indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $21.5 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. MISSION AWARENESS CAPABILITIES RAMPUP AND OPTIMIZATION MACRO BRIDGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $21.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific mission awareness capabilities are being ramped up and optimized, and how will this directly benefit federal operations?

The specific capabilities are not detailed in the provided data. However, 'mission awareness' generally refers to systems and processes that provide real-time information about ongoing operations, threats, and environmental factors. Optimization could lead to improved decision-making, faster response times, and enhanced situational understanding for personnel involved in critical federal missions.

What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for this type of service, and how are they mitigated?

CPFF contracts carry the risk of cost overruns as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Mitigation strategies include robust government oversight, detailed cost tracking, clear definition of allowable costs, and strong negotiation of the fixed fee to ensure it reflects the contractor's effort and risk.

How will the effectiveness of the 'Mission Awareness Capabilities Rampup and Optimization' be measured and evaluated post-award?

Effectiveness is typically measured against pre-defined performance metrics and objectives outlined in the contract Statement of Work (SOW). This could include improvements in data processing speed, accuracy of information, user satisfaction, or demonstrable enhancements in operational decision-making capabilities resulting from the optimized systems.

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

Solicitation ID: 47QFCA26R0005

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4300 SAN MATEO BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87110

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $89,903,952

Exercised Options: $52,924,757

Current Obligation: $21,538,885

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFCA22D0305

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline