DoD Awards $2.7M for NC3 Enterprise Center Support to Client/Server Software Solutions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,733,350 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Client/Server Software Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-01-25

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,832 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: Defense

Official Description: (FOPR) #22-002, GLOBAL NUCLEAR COMMAND CONTROL SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION (NC3) ENTERPRISE CENTER

Place of Performance

Location: OFFUTT AFB, SARPY County, NEBRASKA, 68113

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $2.7 million to CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: (FOPR) #22-002, GLOBAL NUCLEAR COMMAND CONTROL SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION (NC3) ENTERPRISE CENTER Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Client/Server Software Solutions Inc. for Nuclear Command Control (NC3) support. 2. The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger contract, indicating a specific need. 3. The award value is $2.7 million over a period of approximately 5 years. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 suggests engineering services. 5. The contract type is Fixed Price Level of Effort, which can pose risks if not managed carefully.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.7 million over 5 years is modest for enterprise-level support. Benchmarking against similar NC3 or complex IT support contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the per-year cost appears reasonable.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies a competitive process but with specific source exclusions. This method can impact price discovery if the exclusions limit the pool of qualified bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: The $2.7 million expenditure represents taxpayer investment in critical national security infrastructure. The effectiveness of the competition and the final price will determine the value for money.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation and modernization of the Nuclear Command Control and Communications (NC3) enterprise. Supports critical Department of Defense (DoD) and Air Force mission requirements. Potential impact on national security readiness and strategic deterrence capabilities. The specific software solutions provided could influence future technological advancements in secure communications.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type can lead to cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Exclusion of sources in competition may limit competitive pricing.
Long contract duration (5 years) requires ongoing monitoring for performance and relevance.

Positive Signals

Awarded to support critical NC3 enterprise functions.
Competition was conducted, suggesting some level of market vetting.
Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty if managed effectively.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), specifically supporting complex defense systems. Spending in this area is crucial for national security, with benchmarks varying widely based on system complexity and criticality.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors. The primary awardee is 'CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC,' and further analysis would be needed to determine their small business status or subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a Delivery Order under a larger IDIQ or similar vehicle, suggesting it has undergone initial oversight. However, the 'Exclusion of Sources' clause warrants scrutiny to ensure fair competition and prevent potential collusion.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to source exclusion.
Fixed Price Level of Effort can be inefficient if scope is not tightly managed.
Long-term contract requires sustained oversight.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical NC3 support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $2.7 million to CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC. (FOPR) #22-002, GLOBAL NUCLEAR COMMAND CONTROL SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION (NC3) ENTERPRISE CENTER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC.

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 $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-01-25. End: 2027-01-31.

What specific engineering services are being provided under this contract, and how do they align with the NC3 enterprise's current modernization efforts?

The contract focuses on supporting the NC3 Enterprise Center, likely involving software development, integration, maintenance, and potentially system engineering for command and control communication systems. Alignment with modernization efforts would depend on the specific tasks outlined in the delivery order, which are not detailed here. Understanding the technical scope is crucial to assess its contribution to evolving NC3 capabilities and ensuring the systems remain effective against emerging threats.

What was the rationale for excluding certain sources during the competition, and did this exclusion impact the final price or the range of technical solutions considered?

The rationale for excluding sources is not provided in the data. Typically, exclusions are based on specific technical capabilities, security clearances, or past performance requirements that only a limited number of vendors can meet. This exclusion could potentially limit price competition if the remaining pool of bidders is small. A thorough review of the solicitation documents and award justification would be needed to understand the impact on price discovery and the breadth of technical options available to the government.

How will the effectiveness of the delivered engineering services be measured, particularly given the fixed-price level-of-effort structure?

Effectiveness measurement for a Fixed Price Level of Effort (FPLE) contract typically relies on the contractor successfully completing the defined level of effort within the specified period and meeting the technical objectives outlined in the SOW. Performance metrics might include milestones achieved, deliverables accepted, and adherence to technical specifications. The government's quality assurance surveillance plan (QASP) will be critical in monitoring progress and ensuring the services provided contribute to the NC3 enterprise's operational readiness and security.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8230 OLD COURTHOUSE RD STE 220, VIENNA, VA, 22182

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,770,247

Exercised Options: $3,145,184

Current Obligation: $2,733,350

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D3089

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline