GSA Awards $2.2M for Towed Array Handling System Obsolescence, Sole-Source
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,215,851 ($2.2M)
Contractor: Orbis Sibro Inc
Awarding Agency: General Services Administration
Start Date: 2020-10-01
End Date: 2025-07-15
Contract Duration: 1,748 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SBIR PHASE III TOWED ARRAY HANDLING SYSTEM OBSOLESCENCE TO3
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20376
Plain-Language Summary
General Services Administration obligated $2.2 million to ORBIS SIBRO INC for work described as: SBIR PHASE III TOWED ARRAY HANDLING SYSTEM OBSOLESCENCE TO3 Key points: 1. Contract value is $2.2M for R&D services. 2. Sole-source award limits competition and price discovery. 3. Risk of obsolescence mitigation is addressed. 4. Sector is R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Pricing is not benchmarked against similar contracts due to the sole-source nature.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded sole-source, meaning no competition was sought. This limits the government's ability to ensure the best possible price and value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds may not be optimized due to the lack of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical towed array systems. Addresses potential national security risks from outdated equipment. Supports R&D in specialized engineering fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical system obsolescence
- Supports national security capabilities
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on technological advancements and defense needs.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or could have participated.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants careful oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and the scope of work remains focused on the stated objective of obsolescence mitigation.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- General Services Administration Contracting
- Federal Acquisition Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on pricing justification
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, general-services-administration, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
General Services Administration awarded $2.2 million to ORBIS SIBRO INC. SBIR PHASE III TOWED ARRAY HANDLING SYSTEM OBSOLESCENCE TO3
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ORBIS SIBRO INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2025-07-15.
What specific technical challenges does the towed array handling system obsolescence present?
The obsolescence of the towed array handling system likely presents significant technical challenges related to the availability of spare parts, maintenance difficulties, and potential performance degradation. Outdated components may no longer meet current operational requirements or safety standards, necessitating costly workarounds or complete system redesigns to ensure reliability and effectiveness in critical applications.
What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of R&D?
Sole-source awards for R&D carry risks of inflated pricing, reduced innovation due to lack of competitive pressure, and potential for scope creep. Without market competition, the government may overpay for services, and the contractor might have less incentive to explore cost-effective solutions or novel approaches. This can also limit the government's access to a broader range of expertise.
How will the effectiveness of the obsolescence mitigation be measured?
The effectiveness of the obsolescence mitigation will likely be measured through a combination of technical performance metrics, successful integration of upgraded or replaced components, and continued operational readiness of the towed array system. Key performance indicators might include reduced downtime, improved system reliability, successful testing of new handling capabilities, and adherence to updated safety and performance standards.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 47QFLA21F0001
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 238 ALBEMARLE RD, CHARLESTON, SC, 29407
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,215,851
Exercised Options: $2,215,851
Current Obligation: $2,215,851
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA20D0020
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-10-01
Current End Date: 2025-07-15
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-21
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