DoD's $8.2M contract for deterrence analysis awarded to Client/Server Software Solutions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,223,448 ($8.2M)

Contractor: Client/Server Software Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-04-25

End Date: 2027-04-14

Contract Duration: 1,815 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: Defense

Official Description: PROJECT 16.2 DETERRENCE ANALYSIS & PLANNING SUPPORT (DAPS)

Place of Performance

Location: OFFUTT AFB, SARPY County, NEBRASKA, 68113

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.2 million to CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: PROJECT 16.2 DETERRENCE ANALYSIS & PLANNING SUPPORT (DAPS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Fixed Price Level of Effort, which aims to control costs for defined tasks. 3. Performance period spans over 1800 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract is a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) vehicle. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting goals mentioned.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $8.2 million contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of 'deterrence analysis and planning support.' The Fixed Price Level of Effort (FPLE) contract type is generally favorable for cost control when the scope is well-defined. However, the absence of detailed performance metrics or comparison to similar contracts makes a definitive value assessment difficult. The award amount relative to the duration (nearly 5 years) suggests a moderate annual spend, but the true value depends on the criticality and uniqueness of the services provided.

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.' This designation is unusual and requires further clarification. Typically, 'full and open' implies maximum competition. The 'after exclusion of sources' part suggests that while the competition was open, certain potential sources may have been excluded for specific reasons, which could limit the breadth of competition. Without knowing the number of bidders or the rationale for exclusion, it's difficult to definitively assess the level of competition and its impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'full and open' aspect is generally positive for taxpayers as it aims to solicit the best offers. However, the exclusion of sources, if not well-justified, could potentially lead to higher prices than if all capable vendors were allowed to bid.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force is the primary beneficiary, receiving specialized analysis for deterrence strategies. The services delivered are critical for national security planning and policy development. The geographic impact is likely national, focusing on strategic defense planning rather than a specific region. Workforce implications may include specialized analysts and researchers within the contractor organization and potentially within the Air Force for oversight and integration.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided.
The specific nature of 'deterrence analysis' is broad and could lead to scope creep if not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded under a full and open competition framework, aiming for broad market participation.
The Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type provides cost certainty for the government for the defined scope of work.
The long performance period suggests a sustained and important requirement for the Department of Defense.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically related to defense and national security. The market for specialized defense analysis and planning support is often dominated by a few key contractors with deep expertise and security clearances. Spending in this niche can fluctuate based on geopolitical conditions and evolving defense strategies. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the precise deliverables, but significant government investment is typical for strategic defense planning.

Small Business Impact

The contract is not designated as a small business set-aside, and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, Client/Server Software Solutions Inc., is expected to perform the majority of the work. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the prime contractor voluntarily engages small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the Fixed Price Level of Effort structure, requiring the contractor to deliver defined effort. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, but detailed performance reporting and Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on specific contract clauses and agency policies.

Related Government Programs

Defense Planning Support
Strategic Analysis Services
National Security Consulting
Engineering Services for Defense

Risk Flags

Unusual competition clause ('Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources')
Lack of detailed public information on deliverables and performance metrics
Potential for broad scope in 'deterrence analysis'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.2 million to CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC. PROJECT 16.2 DETERRENCE ANALYSIS & PLANNING SUPPORT (DAPS)

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 $8.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-04-25. End: 2027-04-14.

What is the specific nature of the 'deterrence analysis and planning support' being provided under this contract?

The contract, 'PROJECT 16.2 DETERRENCE ANALYSIS & PLANNING SUPPORT (DAPS),' awarded to Client/Server Software Solutions Inc., is for specialized analytical and planning services related to deterrence strategies. While the exact deliverables are not publicly detailed, such contracts typically involve research, modeling, simulation, and strategic assessments to inform national security policy and military planning. This could include analyzing adversary capabilities, evaluating the effectiveness of various deterrence postures, and developing strategic recommendations for the Department of Defense. The 'Level of Effort' aspect suggests the contractor will be compensated for the time and resources dedicated to these analytical tasks, rather than for specific, quantifiable outputs.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar services in the market?

Directly comparing the pricing of this $8.2 million contract is challenging without access to detailed pricing structures and market benchmarks for highly specialized defense analysis. The Fixed Price Level of Effort (FPLE) contract type aims to provide cost control by defining the scope of effort. However, the 'value for money' depends heavily on the contractor's efficiency and the criticality of the analysis. Without knowing the number of hours or specific labor categories billed, or comparable bids from other firms for similar, classified or sensitive work, it's difficult to ascertain if the price is competitive. The annual spend is approximately $1.64 million, which for specialized, long-term analytical support, could be within a reasonable range for government contracts of this nature.

What are the key risks associated with this contract, and how are they being managed?

Key risks include potential scope creep, as 'deterrence analysis' can be a broad and evolving field. If the scope is not tightly managed, costs could escalate beyond the intended level of effort. Another risk is the contractor's ability to deliver high-quality, actionable insights that genuinely inform policy. The long duration (nearly 5 years) also presents a risk of the analysis becoming outdated if not continuously adapted. Management of these risks would rely on robust oversight from the Air Force program office, clear definition of tasks within the level of effort, regular performance reviews, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for adapting the analysis to changing strategic environments.

What is the track record of Client/Server Software Solutions Inc. in providing similar defense analysis services?

Information regarding Client/Server Software Solutions Inc.'s specific track record in providing 'deterrence analysis and planning support' is not readily available in the public domain. As a contractor often involved in government IT and professional services, their broader performance history would need to be reviewed through government contract databases (like the Federal Procurement Data System - FPDS) and past performance evaluations. Without specific details on their prior experience in defense strategy, national security analysis, or similar complex projects, it is difficult to assess their suitability and past success in this particular domain.

How does this contract fit into the broader spending patterns for defense analysis and planning within the Department of Defense?

This $8.2 million contract represents a component of the Department of Defense's significant investment in intelligence, analysis, and strategic planning capabilities. The DoD allocates substantial resources annually to understand and shape the global security environment, including deterrence. Contracts like this, focused on specialized analytical support, are common across various branches and agencies within the DoD. While this specific contract amount is moderate in the context of the overall defense budget, it signifies a sustained commitment to developing and refining deterrence strategies, which is a core function of national defense.

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: 1

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: $8,588,489

Exercised Options: $8,588,489

Current Obligation: $8,223,448

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