GSA Awards $7M R&D Contract for Automated Architecture Assessment Tool to Advanced Systems Supportability

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,048,125 ($7.0M)

Contractor: Advanced Systems Supportability Engineering Technologies and Tools, Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2023-08-10

End Date: 2026-08-09

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.4K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SBIR PHASE III AUTOMATED ARCHITECTURE ASSESSMENT TOOL AAAT TASK ORDER 1

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20376

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $7.0 million to ADVANCED SYSTEMS SUPPORTABILITY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS, INC for work described as: SBIR PHASE III AUTOMATED ARCHITECTURE ASSESSMENT TOOL AAAT TASK ORDER 1 Key points: 1. Contract focuses on R&D for physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Advanced Systems Supportability Engineering Technologies and Tools, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is a delivery order under an existing contract. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials. 5. The contract duration is 1095 days.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking is difficult without more specific details on the deliverables and the 'per-unit cost' for this type of R&D service.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded as a delivery order, and the data indicates it was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION'. This suggests a limited competition approach, potentially impacting price discovery and value for money.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition and Time and Materials pricing structure raise concerns about optimal taxpayer value. Further justification for the limited competition is needed.

Public Impact

Development of an automated architecture assessment tool could improve efficiency in federal IT systems. The R&D focus suggests potential for innovation and future technological advancements. The contract's duration and value indicate a significant investment in this area. The specific application of the tool within the 'Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences' sector needs further clarification for broader public impact.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about cost-effectiveness.
Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
Lack of detailed scope for R&D makes value assessment difficult.

Positive Signals

Potential for innovative automated assessment tool.
Contract supports R&D in critical scientific fields.
Long-term contract provides stability for development.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but requires careful oversight due to the inherent uncertainties in R&D outcomes and costs.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this contract award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

As a delivery order under an existing contract, oversight may be integrated into the parent contract's framework. However, the limited competition aspect warrants specific attention to ensure accountability and adherence to the Time and Materials terms.

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

Limited competition
Time and Materials contract type
Lack of detailed scope for R&D
Unclear value proposition without specific deliverables
Potential for cost overruns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $7.0 million to ADVANCED SYSTEMS SUPPORTABILITY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS, INC. SBIR PHASE III AUTOMATED ARCHITECTURE ASSESSMENT TOOL AAAT TASK ORDER 1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED SYSTEMS SUPPORTABILITY ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-08-10. End: 2026-08-09.

What specific R&D outcomes are expected from the Automated Architecture Assessment Tool (AAAT) and how will their value be measured?

The expected R&D outcomes likely involve the development of a functional prototype or a validated methodology for assessing architectures within the specified R&D domains. Value measurement would typically involve performance metrics, successful testing phases, and potential for future application or commercialization. Without a detailed SOW, specific metrics remain unclear.

What is the justification for awarding this contract with limited competition, and how does it ensure fair and reasonable pricing?

The justification for limited competition is not provided in the data. Typically, this might stem from unique capabilities of the contractor or specific requirements of the task order. Ensuring fair and reasonable pricing in such cases relies heavily on robust government cost analysis, comparison to similar historical contracts, and potentially independent government cost estimates.

How will the effectiveness of the Automated Architecture Assessment Tool be evaluated post-development, especially given the R&D nature of the contract?

Effectiveness evaluation will likely involve a phased approach. Initial evaluations will focus on meeting technical performance requirements outlined in the Statement of Work. Subsequent evaluations might involve pilot testing in relevant environments, user feedback, and assessment of its ability to identify architectural flaws or inefficiencies compared to existing methods.

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 › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 47QFLA23Q0187

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11220 ASSETT LOOP, MANASSAS, VA, 20109

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,733,676

Exercised Options: $10,821,339

Current Obligation: $7,048,125

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFLA23D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline