TUTULU LLC awarded $9.57M contract for advisory and assistance services by Space Rapid Capabilities Office

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,570,447 ($9.6M)

Contractor: Tutulu LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-10-15

End Date: 2026-12-31

Contract Duration: 442 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SPACE RAPID CAPABILITIES OFFICE, ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES SUPPORT CONTRACT

Place of Performance

Location: KIRTLAND AFB, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87117

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $9.6 million to TUTULU LLC for work described as: SPACE RAPID CAPABILITIES OFFICE, ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES SUPPORT CONTRACT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to TUTULU LLC for administrative management and general management consulting. 2. The contract has a duration of 442 days, ending December 31, 2026. 3. This is a Time and Materials contract, indicating payment based on labor hours and material costs. 4. The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', suggesting a specific reason for excluding certain sources. 5. The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SRCO) is the primary entity utilizing these services. 6. The contract value is approximately $9.57 million. 7. The contract is managed by the Department of the Air Force. 8. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541611.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $9.57 million for a period of approximately 1.5 years for advisory and assistance services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized support. However, without specific benchmarks for similar contracts within the Space Rapid Capabilities Office or the broader Department of Defense for this exact type of consulting, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials pricing structure can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed, which warrants careful monitoring.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded for specific, documented reasons. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the designation suggests a limited pool of eligible participants compared to a truly full and open competition. This approach can sometimes limit price discovery and potentially increase costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of certain sources, even with an intent for open competition, may have reduced the competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher prices for taxpayers than if a broader range of contractors had been considered.

Public Impact

The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SRCO) will benefit from expert advisory and assistance services to support its mission. These services are expected to aid in the strategic planning, management, and execution of space-related capabilities. The contract's impact is primarily focused on the operational and strategic functions of the SRCO within the Department of Defense. Workforce implications are likely to involve specialized consultants and subject matter experts rather than a broad increase in government personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation requires careful scrutiny to ensure the exclusion criteria were justified and did not unduly limit competition.
Time and Materials contract type necessitates robust oversight to prevent cost creep and ensure efficient use of resources.
The specific nature of 'advisory and assistance services' can be broad, requiring clear performance metrics to ensure tangible value is delivered.

Positive Signals

Award to a single contractor (TUTULU LLC) can streamline communication and project management.
The contract is for a defined period, allowing for periodic re-evaluation of needs and contractor performance.
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office is a critical entity, suggesting the services are aligned with high-priority national security objectives.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically management consulting. The market for advisory and assistance services to government agencies, particularly in defense and space, is substantial. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for similar consulting services awarded to agencies like the Department of Defense, NASA, or other intelligence community components, focusing on the scope of work and contractor experience.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or immediate impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from this award as a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, TUTULU LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their own business practices and the specific needs of the advisory services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of the Air Force and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance work statement and delivery milestones. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though the specifics of the advisory services and internal deliberations may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Advisory and Assistance Services
Space Force Support Contracts
Management and Consulting Services for Federal Agencies
Air Force Program Management Support

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type.
Need for clear performance metrics to ensure value for advisory services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $9.6 million to TUTULU LLC. SPACE RAPID CAPABILITIES OFFICE, ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICES SUPPORT CONTRACT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TUTULU LLC.

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 $9.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-10-15. End: 2026-12-31.

What is the track record of TUTULU LLC in providing similar advisory and assistance services to the Department of Defense or other federal agencies?

Assessing TUTULU LLC's track record requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts. This would involve examining contract databases for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. Specifically, looking for experience with 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611) for defense or space-related entities would be crucial. A positive track record would indicate a lower risk of performance issues, while a history of problems might suggest potential challenges in delivering the required advisory support effectively and efficiently.

How does the awarded contract value of $9.57 million compare to similar advisory and assistance contracts for space capabilities support?

Benchmarking this $9.57 million contract requires identifying comparable contracts awarded to entities like the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SRCO) or other Department of Defense (DoD) space-focused organizations for similar advisory and assistance services. Factors to consider include the contract duration (442 days), the specific scope of work (administrative management and general management consulting), and the level of expertise required. If similar contracts for comparable durations and scopes are significantly lower or higher, it could indicate potential overpricing or under-resourcing. Without access to detailed comparative contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this value represents excellent, fair, or questionable value for money.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for advisory services, and how are they mitigated in this case?

The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for actual labor hours and material costs incurred by the contractor, rather than a fixed price. This can lead to unpredictable expenditures if not managed diligently. Mitigation strategies typically include establishing labor hour ceilings, requiring detailed reporting of hours and materials, implementing robust government oversight to monitor progress and validate charges, and defining clear performance metrics. The effectiveness of these mitigations depends on the government's ability to actively manage and audit the contractor's time and expenses throughout the contract period.

What does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' designation imply for the effectiveness of competition and potential cost savings?

This designation implies that the competition was not entirely 'full and open' in the broadest sense. While multiple sources may have been solicited, specific pre-identified sources were excluded from the competition for reasons documented by the agency. This exclusion could be due to factors like national security, proprietary technology, or specific capabilities required. While it aims to ensure the most suitable contractors are considered, it inherently limits the competitive pool. This reduced competition might lessen the downward pressure on pricing, potentially leading to higher costs for the government compared to a scenario where all eligible sources could participate. The effectiveness of competition is thus constrained by the justification for the exclusions.

What is the strategic importance of advisory and assistance services for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SRCO)?

Advisory and assistance (A&A) services are crucial for organizations like the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SRCO) because they provide specialized expertise that may not be available in-house or is needed on a temporary basis. For SRCO, which focuses on rapidly developing and fielding space capabilities, A&A support can be vital for strategic planning, technology assessment, program management, policy development, and acquisition strategy. These services help SRCO navigate complex technical challenges, accelerate decision-making, and ensure alignment with evolving national security space requirements. Essentially, A&A contractors act as force multipliers, enabling SRCO to achieve its mission objectives more effectively and efficiently.

How does the geographic location of the contract performance (New Mexico) align with the mission of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office?

The contract indicates performance in New Mexico ('NM'). While the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (SRCO) is a Department of the Air Force entity, its operations and the location of its support personnel can be distributed. New Mexico has a significant presence in aerospace and defense activities, including research, development, and testing facilities. Therefore, having advisory and assistance services performed or managed from New Mexico could align with existing infrastructure, personnel, or strategic partnerships within the state's defense and space ecosystem. This location might facilitate closer collaboration with relevant government facilities or industry partners in the region.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

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: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7955 E ARAPAHOE CT STE 2000, CENTENNIAL, CO, 80112

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Native Hawaiian Organization Owned Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $134,210,451

Exercised Options: $22,875,102

Current Obligation: $9,570,447

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline