GSA awards $13.5M engineering services contract to Scientific Research Corporation for TRMC TCD Program Management

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,471,741 ($13.5M)

Contractor: Scientific Research Corporation

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2021-09-30

End Date: 2022-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $37.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRMC TCD PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TASK ORDER 016

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22350

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $13.5 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION for work described as: TRMC TCD PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TASK ORDER 016 Key points: 1. Contract value of $13.5M for one year of engineering services. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Task order for program management services, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 4. Contractor has a track record with the government, as suggested by the award. 5. Services are for Virginia-based operations, potentially impacting the local workforce. 6. The contract type is labor hours, which can be flexible but requires careful monitoring.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $13.5 million for a one-year duration appears reasonable for specialized engineering program management services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program management in engineering services would provide a clearer picture of value for money. The labor hours contract type allows for flexibility but necessitates diligent oversight to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent cost overruns. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is challenging, but the competitive award suggests a reasonable price was achieved.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters a competitive environment, which is beneficial for price discovery and ensuring the government receives the best value. The open competition suggests that Scientific Research Corporation was selected based on merit and competitive pricing among multiple interested parties.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition through potentially lower prices and access to a wider range of innovative solutions. This process helps ensure that public funds are used efficiently by driving down costs and improving service quality.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense (DoD) components utilizing the TRMC TCD program, receiving critical program management support. Services delivered include engineering expertise and program management for the TRMC TCD initiative. The geographic impact is centered in Virginia, potentially creating or sustaining jobs for engineers and program managers in the region. Workforce implications include the employment of skilled personnel by Scientific Research Corporation to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Labor hours contract type can lead to cost uncertainty if not managed tightly.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency.
Potential for scope creep without clear task order definitions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating competitive pricing.
Contractor is likely experienced in government contracting.
Services support a critical program (TRMC TCD).

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a significant segment of the federal contracting market. Engineering services are crucial for supporting complex government programs, particularly in defense and technology. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The value of this contract, approximately $13.5 million, is moderate within the broader context of federal engineering service procurements, which can range from a few million to hundreds of millions of dollars.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this award. The primary contractor, Scientific Research Corporation, will likely manage the execution of the contract, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion, not driven by a small business set-aside requirement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) through its Federal Acquisition Service. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance data may be less accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Test and Evaluation
Program Management Support Services
Engineering and Technical Services
Defense Acquisition Support

Risk Flags

Labor Hours Contract Type
Potential for Cost Overruns
Limited Performance Data Available

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $13.5 million to SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION. TRMC TCD PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TASK ORDER 016

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-09-30. End: 2022-09-29.

What is the track record of Scientific Research Corporation with the federal government, particularly in program management and engineering services?

Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) has a history of federal contracting. While this specific award is for $13.5 million, SRC has secured numerous contracts across various agencies, often in areas related to engineering, research, development, and technical services. Their experience typically spans complex projects, including those for defense and intelligence communities. A deeper dive into their contract history would reveal the types of programs they have managed, their performance ratings on past contracts (if publicly available), and their overall success rate in winning and executing federal awards. This context is crucial for assessing their capability to effectively manage the TRMC TCD program.

How does the $13.5 million value of this contract compare to similar program management contracts for engineering services?

The $13.5 million value for a one-year task order for program management in engineering services is within a common range for specialized government support. However, 'similar' is a key qualifier. If this contract involves highly specialized technical expertise or supports a critical, high-stakes program like the TRMC TCD, the value might be considered standard or even competitive. If it involves more general program management, it could be on the higher end. Benchmarking against contracts with comparable scope, duration, agency, and required skill sets would be necessary for a precise value assessment. The fact that it was awarded under full and open competition suggests the price was deemed fair and reasonable in a competitive market.

What are the primary risks associated with this labor hours contract type for program management?

The primary risks associated with a labor hours contract type for program management revolve around cost control and efficiency. Unlike fixed-price contracts, labor hours contracts pay for the actual time and labor expended. This introduces a risk of cost overruns if the contractor's hours are not diligently managed and monitored by the government. Scope creep is another significant risk; without strict oversight, the contractor might perform work beyond the intended scope, increasing labor hours and costs. Ensuring accurate timekeeping, robust progress tracking, and clear communication channels are critical to mitigating these risks and ensuring the government receives good value for its investment.

How effective is the TRMC TCD program, and how does this contract contribute to its overall mission success?

The Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Test, Research, and Analysis Center (TRAC) and its associated TCD (Test and Capability Development) program are critical components of the U.S. missile defense strategy. The TCD program focuses on developing and executing test strategies to validate and verify the performance of missile defense systems. This contract, providing program management and engineering services, directly supports the TCD program's ability to plan, execute, and analyze complex test events. Effective program management ensures that test objectives are met efficiently, resources are allocated appropriately, and the results accurately inform system development and deployment decisions, thereby contributing significantly to the overall mission success of ensuring the effectiveness of U.S. missile defense capabilities.

What is the historical spending trend for TRMC TCD program management or similar engineering services by the GSA or relevant agencies?

Analyzing historical spending for TRMC TCD program management or similar engineering services by GSA and related agencies provides crucial context. While specific historical data for this exact task order isn't provided, GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) manages a vast portfolio of services, including engineering and program management, often on behalf of other agencies. Spending in these areas typically fluctuates based on program lifecycles, defense priorities, and technological advancements. For programs like TRMC TCD, which are integral to national security, consistent and significant investment is expected. Trends might show increased spending during periods of heightened threat perception or major system development phases, and potentially shifts in contract types or providers based on performance and market dynamics.

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 47QFDA21R0025

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2300 WINDY RIDGE PKWY STE 400S, ATLANTA, GA, 30339

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,467,854

Exercised Options: $14,709,458

Current Obligation: $13,471,741

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 13

Total Subaward Amount: $5,579,930

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFDA18D0003

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline