Naval Research Office awards $23.7M for technical and programmatic support services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,664,578 ($23.7M)

Contractor: BCS Allegient, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-08-12

End Date: 2014-12-31

Contract Duration: 1,967 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH CODE 35

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.7 million to BCS ALLEGIENT, INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH CODE 35 Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical and programmatic support to the Office of Naval Research. 2. Services are critical for advancing naval research and development initiatives. 3. Contract duration spans over five years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 5. The contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) allows for flexibility but requires careful cost monitoring. 6. The contractor has a significant track record with the Department of Defense. 7. Geographic location of performance is Virginia, a hub for defense activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $23.7 million over approximately five years appears reasonable for specialized technical and programmatic support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for engineering and R&D support within the Department of Defense would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while common for R&D, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, but the fixed fee component provides some cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for these specialized services. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for their investment in naval research and development.

Public Impact

The Office of Naval Research benefits directly through enhanced technical and programmatic support, enabling more effective research. Scientists and engineers working on naval research projects receive crucial assistance, potentially accelerating innovation. The contract supports high-skilled jobs in engineering and technical fields within Virginia. Advancements in naval technology stemming from this support could have long-term implications for national security.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

CPFF contracts require robust oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Ensuring the fixed fee remains appropriate throughout the contract lifecycle is crucial.
Monitoring contractor performance closely to ensure all technical and programmatic objectives are met.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market.
The contractor has a demonstrated history of performance with the Department of Defense.
The contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these critical services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a critical component of the broader defense and R&D industry. The market for specialized technical and programmatic support services for government research entities is substantial, driven by the need for expertise in complex scientific and engineering domains. Comparable spending often involves contracts for systems engineering, research support, and program management within agencies like the Department of Defense and NASA.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. While the primary awardee is BCS Allegient, Inc., the impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether they utilize small business subcontractors. Without subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Office of Naval Research. Accountability measures are inherent in the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure, which includes a fixed fee component that the contractor earns upon successful completion of defined objectives. Transparency is generally maintained through contract reporting requirements and public contract databases, though specific performance metrics may be internal.

Related Government Programs

Naval Research and Development Programs
Department of Defense Technical Support Contracts
Engineering Services for Government Agencies
Office of Naval Research Operations

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight.
Potential for cost overruns if not managed effectively.
Ensuring clear definition of technical and programmatic objectives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.7 million to BCS ALLEGIENT, INC.. TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH CODE 35

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BCS ALLEGIENT, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $23.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-08-12. End: 2014-12-31.

What is the track record of BCS Allegient, Inc. with the Department of Defense?

BCS Allegient, Inc. has a history of performing contracts with the Department of Defense. While specific details of past performance are not provided in this data snippet, the fact that they were awarded this significant contract through full and open competition suggests they met the necessary qualifications and demonstrated capability. Further investigation into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any prior issues, would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their reliability and expertise in delivering similar services.

How does the value of this contract compare to similar technical support contracts?

The $23.7 million value over approximately five years for technical and programmatic support services is within a typical range for specialized government contracts. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts for similar services (engineering, R&D support) awarded by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies during a comparable timeframe. Factors like the specific scope of work, required expertise, and contract type (e.g., CPFF vs. FFP) significantly influence pricing. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process suggests it was deemed fair.

What are the primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D support?

The primary risks associated with a CPFF contract, particularly for R&D support, revolve around cost control and contractor incentives. While the fixed fee provides a ceiling for the contractor's profit, the 'cost plus' portion means the government reimburses the contractor's allowable costs. If not managed diligently, this can lead to cost overruns if the contractor's efficiency is low or if unforeseen technical challenges significantly increase expenses. There's also a potential risk that the contractor might prioritize activities that are easier to justify as allowable costs, rather than those most critical to the research objectives, if oversight is weak. Robust oversight, clear definition of allowable costs, and regular performance reviews are essential to mitigate these risks.

How effective is full and open competition in ensuring value for taxpayer money in specialized R&D services?

Full and open competition is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for taxpayer money, especially for specialized R&D services. It allows a wide range of qualified vendors to compete, driving down prices through market forces and encouraging innovation in service delivery. The process typically involves detailed evaluation criteria, ensuring that the lowest price is not the sole determinant but is balanced against technical merit and past performance. For specialized R&D, this means the government is more likely to secure high-quality expertise at a competitive rate, as multiple firms vie to demonstrate their superior capabilities and cost-effectiveness. The presence of 3 bidders in this case indicates a reasonable level of competition.

What is the historical spending trend for technical and programmatic support services within the Office of Naval Research?

Analyzing historical spending trends for technical and programmatic support services within the Office of Naval Research (ONR) would require access to detailed historical contract data. Generally, agencies like ONR rely heavily on external expertise for specialized research and development support. Spending in this category tends to fluctuate based on strategic research priorities, budget allocations, and the complexity of ongoing projects. Periods of increased focus on specific technological advancements (e.g., AI, cyber, hypersonics) often correlate with higher spending on related support services. Understanding these trends helps in assessing whether the current contract value is consistent with past investment levels or represents a significant shift.

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: N0002409R3223

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4401 N FAIRFAX DR STE 321, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,715,622

Exercised Options: $28,689,540

Current Obligation: $23,664,578

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017808D5314

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline