DoD's $2.87M contract for space-based missile warning support awarded to Odyssey Systems Consulting Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,866,087 ($2.9M)

Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-03-28

End Date: 2027-03-27

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SERVICES SUPPORT ORGANIZING, TRAINING, AND EQUIPPING (OTE) FUNCTIONS FOR SPACE-BASED MISSILE WARNING (MW), GROUND BASED RADAR (GBR) MW/MISSILE DEFENSE | SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS (MW|MD|SDA), ANDWEATHER|SPACE BASED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING (SBEM).

Place of Performance

Location: COLORADO SPRINGS, EL PASO County, COLORADO, 80914

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.9 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: SERVICES SUPPORT ORGANIZING, TRAINING, AND EQUIPPING (OTE) FUNCTIONS FOR SPACE-BASED MISSILE WARNING (MW), GROUND BASED RADAR (GBR) MW/MISSILE DEFENSE | SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS (MW|MD|SDA), ANDWEATHER|SPACE BASED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING (SBEM). Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical space domain awareness and environmental monitoring capabilities. 2. Value-for-money assessment is pending further benchmarking against similar R&D services. 3. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 4. Risk indicators are moderate, given the specialized nature of space-based systems. 5. Performance context involves supporting essential OTE functions for missile warning and defense. 6. Sector positioning is within the high-priority defense R&D space domain.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.87 million for a 2-year period appears moderate for specialized R&D services in the defense sector. Benchmarking against similar contracts for space domain awareness and missile warning support is necessary to fully assess value for money. Without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to industry standards for these specific technical services, it is difficult to definitively state if the pricing is competitive or represents excellent value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting that multiple vendors were likely considered and allowed to bid. The specific details of the bidding process, including the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not provided. However, a full and open competition generally fosters a more robust price discovery process and allows the government to select the best value offer.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is generally favorable for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of receiving competitive pricing and ensures that the government is not unduly constrained in its vendor selection, potentially leading to better overall value.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, benefits from enhanced capabilities in space-based missile warning and missile defense. Services delivered include organizing, training, and equipping functions crucial for space domain awareness. Geographic impact is national, supporting critical defense infrastructure and operations. Workforce implications may involve specialized technical and analytical roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if technical challenges are underestimated.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical, specialized R&D services.
Risk of scope creep if requirements evolve significantly during the contract period.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
Contract supports vital national security functions related to space domain awareness.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps to control costs and manage financial risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically focusing on advanced defense applications. The market for space domain awareness and missile defense technologies is highly specialized and characterized by significant government investment. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other large-scale defense R&D programs focused on space, intelligence, and advanced sensing capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The contract data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Given the specialized nature of the R&D services required for space-based missile warning, it is possible that larger, more specialized firms are the primary bidders. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance metrics and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed operational performance data may be considered sensitive.

Related Government Programs

Space Domain Awareness Programs
Missile Defense Systems
Satellite Operations Support
Advanced Research and Development Contracts
Department of Defense Information Technology Support

Risk Flags

Technical Complexity
Specialized Expertise Required
National Security Implications
Potential for Evolving Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.9 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. SERVICES SUPPORT ORGANIZING, TRAINING, AND EQUIPPING (OTE) FUNCTIONS FOR SPACE-BASED MISSILE WARNING (MW), GROUND BASED RADAR (GBR) MW/MISSILE DEFENSE | SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS (MW|MD|SDA), ANDWEATHER|SPACE BASED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING (SBEM).

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 $2.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-28. End: 2027-03-27.

What is Odyssey Systems Consulting Group's track record with similar Department of Defense contracts, particularly in space and missile defense R&D?

Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. has a history of performing various support services for the Department of Defense. While specific details on their track record in highly specialized space-based missile warning R&D are not immediately available from the provided data, their past performance in related areas would be a key factor in the award decision. A deeper dive into their contract history, including past performance evaluations and any reported issues, would be necessary to fully assess their suitability for this specific requirement. Their ability to successfully manage complex R&D projects, deliver on technical milestones, and adhere to budget and schedule are critical considerations.

How does the $2.87 million contract value compare to similar R&D services for space domain awareness and missile warning?

The $2.87 million contract value for a two-year period for specialized R&D in space domain awareness and missile warning is considered moderate. However, a precise comparison is challenging without access to a broader dataset of similar contracts. Factors such as the specific technical scope, the level of innovation required, the contractor's overhead, and the prevailing market rates for highly skilled personnel in this niche field significantly influence pricing. Benchmarking against contracts with similar North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (like 541712) and similar agencies (DoD components) would provide a more accurate assessment of whether this represents competitive pricing or an outlier.

What are the primary risk indicators associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risk indicators for this contract include the inherent technical complexity of space-based systems, the potential for evolving threats requiring adaptation, and the specialized nature of the R&D services. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust project management, clear performance metrics, and the firm fixed-price contract type which shifts some financial risk to the contractor. The 'full and open competition' aspect also mitigates risk by ensuring a thorough vetting of potential providers. However, the specialized knowledge required means that contractor performance is critical, and any disruption could impact national security capabilities.

How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' approach in ensuring optimal value for taxpayer dollars in this specialized R&D context?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' approach is designed to maximize competition while acknowledging that certain specialized requirements might necessitate a more targeted approach than a completely unrestricted bid. In this context, it suggests that the government identified a need that could be met by multiple qualified sources, but perhaps not all potential sources were initially considered or eligible. This method aims to balance broad market access with the need for specific expertise, potentially leading to competitive pricing and the selection of the most capable vendor. Its effectiveness hinges on the thoroughness of the source exclusion justification and the rigor of the subsequent competitive evaluation process.

What are the historical spending patterns for similar space domain awareness and missile warning R&D contracts within the Department of Defense?

Historical spending patterns for space domain awareness (SDA) and missile warning (MW) R&D within the Department of Defense have generally shown significant and sustained investment due to the critical nature of these capabilities. Budgets in this area often fluctuate based on geopolitical conditions, technological advancements, and strategic priorities. Contracts can range from relatively small, focused research efforts to multi-billion dollar programs spanning many years. Analyzing past spending trends for similar NAICS codes and contract types within the Air Force and other DoD branches would reveal whether this $2.87 million award is typical, an increase, or a decrease in funding for such services.

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: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 201 EDGEWATER DR STE 270, WAKEFIELD, MA, 01880

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,006,944

Exercised Options: $2,866,087

Current Obligation: $2,866,087

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS611

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline