COLSA Corp awarded $313M for C4ISR task orders, with 9 orders issued under full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $313,196,875 ($313.2M)

Contractor: Colsa Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2016-04-27

End Date: 2020-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,617 days

Daily Burn Rate: $193.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF C4ISR TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: EGLIN AFB, OKALOOSA County, FLORIDA, 32542

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $313.2 million to COLSA CORP for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF C4ISR TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scope of C4ISR support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive pricing environment. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with performance context needing further review. 4. Sector positioning is within R&D for physical, engineering, and life sciences. 5. Contract performance spans multiple years, indicating ongoing support needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of approximately $313 million over its period of performance suggests a significant investment in C4ISR capabilities. Benchmarking against similar large-scale R&D contracts for advanced systems is necessary for a precise value assessment. However, the issuance of multiple task orders indicates a sustained need and potentially phased delivery of services, which can be cost-effective if managed well. The 'COST NO FEE' contract type implies that the government reimburses allowable costs without an additional fee, which can be advantageous for the government in R&D scenarios where final costs are uncertain.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the initial solicitation might have had some exclusions, the final award was made through a broad competitive process. Nine task orders were issued, suggesting a structured approach to fulfilling requirements. The level of competition, implied by 'full and open,' generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple vendors to bid, driving down prices and ensuring the government receives the best value. This process helps prevent inflated costs that can occur with less competitive contract types.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force benefits from advanced Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities. Services delivered likely include research, development, integration, and sustainment of C4ISR systems. Geographic impact is primarily within Florida, where the contractor is located, but the systems supported likely have a global operational reach. Workforce implications include skilled technical and engineering jobs in the aerospace and defense sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if research and development efforts encounter unforeseen technical challenges.
Dependence on a single contractor (COLSA Corp) for critical C4ISR task orders could pose a risk if performance falters.
The 'COST NO FEE' contract type requires robust government oversight to ensure costs are reasonable and allowable.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive environment that should drive value.
Multiple task orders indicate a structured and phased approach to fulfilling C4ISR needs.
The contractor, COLSA Corp, has a track record in defense contracting, implying relevant experience.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences (NAICS 541712). This sector is critical for advancing national defense capabilities, particularly in areas like C4ISR. The total value of $313 million positions this as a substantial R&D effort. Comparable spending in this sector often involves significant investments in innovation and technology modernization to maintain a technological edge.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities if COLSA Corp chooses to engage them. Without specific subcontracting plans detailed in the award data, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem, though large prime contracts often create downstream opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Air Force, with specific contracting officers and program managers responsible for monitoring performance, costs, and compliance. The 'COST NO FEE' structure necessitates diligent financial oversight to validate incurred costs. Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would apply for investigations into fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

C4ISR Systems Development
Defense Research and Development
Aerospace Engineering Services
Information Technology Services
Advanced Technology Development

Risk Flags

Cost Control in Cost-Reimbursement Contracts
Performance Monitoring of R&D Projects
Competition Level Assessment
Contractor Capability Verification

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $313.2 million to COLSA CORP. IGF::CT::IGF C4ISR TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is COLSA CORP.

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 $313.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-04-27. End: 2020-09-30.

What is COLSA Corp's track record with similar C4ISR or R&D contracts?

COLSA Corporation has a history of performing work related to C4ISR and other technical services for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies. Their portfolio often includes systems engineering, integration, testing, and sustainment. Analyzing their past performance on contracts of similar size and scope, particularly those involving R&D and complex system development, would provide insight into their capabilities and reliability. Reviewing past performance evaluations and any reported issues on previous contracts would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment of their track record in delivering on C4ISR requirements.

How does the $313 million total award compare to industry benchmarks for C4ISR R&D contracts?

The $313 million total award for C4ISR R&D over approximately four years (April 2016 - September 2020) represents a significant investment. Benchmarking requires comparing this value against similar contracts awarded by the DoD or other agencies for comparable C4ISR capabilities, considering factors like the specific technologies involved (e.g., radar, electronic warfare, communications), the level of R&D (basic research vs. applied development), and the duration. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contract values, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, large-scale R&D efforts for advanced defense systems often run into hundreds of millions of dollars, suggesting this award is within a plausible range for substantial technological advancement.

What are the primary risks associated with a 'COST NO FEE' contract type in an R&D context?

The primary risks associated with a 'COST NO FEE' (CNF) contract type, especially in R&D, revolve around cost control and government oversight. While beneficial for the government as it avoids paying a profit margin, it places the burden of cost justification entirely on the contractor. Risks include potential for inflated costs if the contractor does not manage expenses diligently, as there is less direct financial incentive to minimize them compared to fixed-price contracts. The government must implement robust auditing and monitoring processes to ensure all claimed costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. Scope creep in R&D can also lead to cost increases, requiring careful management and potential contract modifications.

How effective has the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' strategy been in ensuring competitive pricing for this contract?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' strategy is designed to maximize competition while potentially addressing specific technical requirements or past performance considerations that might initially limit the pool of eligible bidders. Its effectiveness in ensuring competitive pricing depends on the number of bidders that ultimately participated and the range of their proposals. If multiple capable vendors submitted bids, it likely drove down prices. However, the 'exclusion of sources' aspect means that not all potential vendors were considered from the outset, which could theoretically limit the breadth of competition. A thorough analysis would involve examining the number of proposals received and comparing the awarded price against independent cost estimates or historical pricing data.

What is the historical spending trend for C4ISR R&D contracts within the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending trends for C4ISR R&D within the Department of the Air Force (DAF) generally show a consistent and significant investment. The DAF relies heavily on advanced C4ISR capabilities to maintain situational awareness, command and control, and intelligence superiority. Spending in this area typically fluctuates based on modernization priorities, emerging threats, and technological advancements. Over the past decade, there has been a sustained focus on integrating networked systems, enhancing data processing, and improving sensor fusion. While specific figures require detailed analysis of historical budgets and contract awards, C4ISR R&D consistently represents a substantial portion of the DAF's research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) budget, often in the billions of dollars annually across various programs and contracts.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6728 ODYSSEY DR, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $332,264,922

Exercised Options: $332,264,922

Current Obligation: $313,196,875

Actual Outlays: $11,497,568

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $84,627,357

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS705

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline