DoD's Air Force awards $44.7M R&D contract to Odyssey Systems Consulting Group via GSA OASIS SB

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,693,086 ($44.7M)

Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-08-16

End Date: 2026-08-15

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $61.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 99

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR AFNWC/NC3 TO BE PROCURED THROUGH GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ONE ACQUISITION SOLUTION FOR INTEGRATED SERVICES (OASIS) SMALL BUSINESS INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT VEHICLE.

Place of Performance

Location: HANSCOM AFB, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01731

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $44.7 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR AFNWC/NC3 TO BE PROCURED THROUGH GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ONE ACQUISITION SOLUTION FOR INTEGRATED SERVICES (OASIS) SMALL BUSINESS INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT VEHICLE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded through GSA OASIS SB, a multiple-award IDIQ, suggesting a structured procurement process. 2. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) is the primary NAICS code. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but requires careful oversight. 4. The contract duration is 729 days, indicating a medium-term engagement for advisory services. 5. The award is a Delivery Order under an existing IDIQ, implying the vehicle itself was previously competed. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, despite being on the OASIS SB vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $44.7 million over two years for professional advisory and assistance services appears reasonable within the context of large federal R&D contracts. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized advisory services within the Department of Defense would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain aligned with the fixed fee and the overall value delivered.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was procured through the General Services Administration's One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services (OASIS) Small Business (SB) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle. This vehicle is designed for full and open competition among eligible small businesses. The specific award is a Delivery Order against this IDIQ, meaning the underlying OASIS SB contract was competed, and this order was likely competed among awardees of that IDIQ or placed under a pre-competed task order.

Taxpayer Impact: Utilizing a GSA schedule and IDIQ vehicle like OASIS generally promotes competition, which can lead to better pricing for taxpayers. The specific competition level for this delivery order, however, is not detailed, but the overall framework aims for fair market value.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC/NC3), receiving professional advisory and assistance services. Services delivered are focused on research and development support within the physical, engineering, and life sciences. The geographic impact is likely concentrated within the Department of Defense and its associated research and development activities. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized consultants and advisory personnel to support Air Force initiatives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns and ensure value.
The contract is not a small business set-aside, potentially limiting opportunities for smaller specialized firms.
Reliance on a single contractor for advisory services could lead to knowledge silos if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

Utilizes a GSA OASIS SB IDIQ, a pre-competed and managed vehicle, which streamlines procurement.
The contract is for advisory and assistance services, supporting critical R&D functions for the Air Force.
The fixed fee component provides a degree of cost certainty for the government once the fee is established.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The federal government is a significant spender in this area, with numerous contracts awarded through vehicles like GSA OASIS to support innovation and technological advancement across various agencies. The market is characterized by specialized firms capable of providing high-level expertise.

Small Business Impact

Although awarded under the OASIS Small Business (SB) vehicle, this specific contract was not a small business set-aside. This means that while the vehicle itself is for small businesses, the competition for this particular delivery order may have included larger businesses or was competed among all OASIS SB awardees without a specific set-aside. This could impact the direct flow of funds to very small businesses unless they are subcontractors to the prime awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program officials, with potential review from the Department of Defense Inspector General. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates robust financial monitoring and performance evaluation to ensure accountability and prevent improper expenditures. Transparency is facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms on federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

GSA OASIS Contracts
Department of Defense Research and Development Spending
Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Contracts
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires robust oversight.
Not a small business set-aside, potentially limiting direct small business participation.
Reliance on advisory services necessitates clear performance metrics and quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $44.7 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. PROFESSIONAL ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES FOR AFNWC/NC3 TO BE PROCURED THROUGH GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION ONE ACQUISITION SOLUTION FOR INTEGRATED SERVICES (OASIS) SMALL BUSINESS INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT VEHICLE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $44.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-16. End: 2026-08-15.

What is the track record of Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Defense?

Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the Department of Defense. Analyzing their past performance, including contract values, types, and customer satisfaction ratings (if available through sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), would provide insight into their reliability and capability. Their experience with Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts and R&D support services is particularly relevant for assessing their suitability for this award. A review of their contract history would reveal if they have successfully managed similar projects in terms of scope, complexity, and duration, and if they have a pattern of meeting cost and schedule targets.

How does the $44.7 million value compare to similar R&D advisory contracts awarded by the Air Force or DoD?

The $44.7 million value for this two-year R&D advisory contract is within a typical range for specialized support services within the Department of Defense. To provide a precise benchmark, one would compare this award to other contracts for similar services (e.g., scientific, engineering, technical advisory) awarded by the Air Force or other DoD components over the past 1-3 years. Factors such as the specific R&D domain (e.g., nuclear weapons technology), the level of expertise required, and the contract type (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) would influence comparability. If similar contracts are consistently valued higher or lower, it could indicate whether this award represents a premium price, a cost-saving measure, or a standard market rate.

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

The primary risk with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract for R&D advisory services is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. While the fixed fee incentivizes efficiency, it does not cap the total cost to the government. For R&D, where outcomes can be uncertain, costs can escalate unexpectedly. Effective oversight is crucial to ensure that all costs incurred are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for the project. Another risk is the contractor potentially cutting corners on quality or scope to stay within the fixed fee, impacting the value delivered. The government must diligently monitor expenditures and performance to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected program effectiveness or impact of these advisory services on AFNWC/NC3's R&D objectives?

The effectiveness of these advisory services hinges on the quality of the expertise provided by Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. and the clarity of the AFNWC/NC3's R&D objectives. The services are intended to enhance decision-making, provide technical insights, and potentially accelerate research and development efforts related to nuclear weapons technologies. Success would be measured by the contractor's ability to offer actionable recommendations, contribute to problem-solving, and support the achievement of specific program milestones. The CPFF structure implies that the government is willing to bear the cost uncertainty in exchange for access to specialized knowledge that may not be readily available in-house or through other contract types.

How has federal spending on R&D advisory services through GSA OASIS IDIQs trended in recent years?

Federal spending on R&D advisory services through GSA OASIS IDIQs has generally trended upwards, reflecting the government's reliance on specialized external expertise to drive innovation and address complex technological challenges. The OASIS program, including its Small Business (SB) component, is designed to provide agencies with a flexible and efficient means to procure a wide range of professional services. Spending within this category is influenced by overall federal R&D budgets, specific agency priorities (like defense modernization), and the government's strategy to leverage industry capabilities. Analyzing historical data for OASIS task orders related to NAICS code 541712 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences) would reveal specific trends in volume and value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 99

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 EDGEWATER DR, WAKEFIELD, MA, 01880

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $154,668,536

Exercised Options: $56,514,616

Current Obligation: $44,693,086

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS426

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline