DoD Awards $27.2M NC3 Enterprise Mission Support Contract to Client/Server Software Solutions Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $27,194,960 ($27.2M)

Contractor: Client/Server Software Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-11-30

End Date: 2027-11-30

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: IT

Official Description: USAMS FOPR 23-003 NUCLEAR COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATION (NC3) ENTERPRISE CENTER MISSION SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: OFFUTT AFB, SARPY County, NEBRASKA, 68113

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $27.2 million to CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: USAMS FOPR 23-003 NUCLEAR COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATION (NC3) ENTERPRISE CENTER MISSION SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Client/Server Software Solutions Inc. for Nuclear Command, Control, and Communication (NC3) enterprise mission support. 2. The contract has a total value of $27.2 million over a period of approximately 5 years. 3. The NAICS code 541330 (Engineering Services) suggests a focus on technical and engineering support. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a specific justification for limiting initial bidders.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $27.2 million over five years averages to approximately $5.4 million annually. Benchmarking against similar engineering services contracts for complex defense systems is difficult without more specific service details, but this appears to be a moderate-sized award.

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 suggests that while competition was sought, certain sources were initially excluded, potentially impacting the breadth of price discovery and innovation. Further details on the exclusion rationale are needed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical NC3 mission support. The competitive nature, even with exclusions, aims to secure reasonable pricing, but the specific justification for exclusions warrants scrutiny to ensure optimal value.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational support for the vital Nuclear Command, Control, and Communication (NC3) systems. Supports the Department of the Air Force's mission readiness and technological modernization efforts. Potential for job creation within the engineering and IT support sectors related to defense contracting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Rationale for exclusion of sources needs clarification.
Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed.
Contract type (Fixed Price Level of Effort) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, promoting a degree of market engagement.
Long-term contract provides stability for critical mission support.
Supports a high-priority national security function.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting complex defense systems like the NC3 enterprise. Spending in this area is critical for national security and often involves specialized technical expertise. Benchmarks are highly dependent on the specific nature of the engineering services required.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates the awardee is CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC, and the contract does not explicitly mention small business participation. Further investigation is needed to determine if small businesses were subcontracted or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Air Force is the awarding agency. Oversight will involve monitoring contract performance, adherence to the fixed-price level of effort terms, and ensuring the mission support objectives are met effectively and efficiently.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Potential lack of broad competition due to source exclusion.
Contract type (FPLE) can be challenging to manage if scope is not precisely defined.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical NC3 mission support.
Limited visibility into small business subcontracting opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $27.2 million to CLIENT/SERVER SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS INC. USAMS FOPR 23-003 NUCLEAR COMMAND, CONTROL, AND COMMUNICATION (NC3) ENTERPRISE CENTER MISSION SUPPORT

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 $27.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-11-30. End: 2027-11-30.

What specific engineering services are encompassed by 'NC3 Enterprise Mission Support' to justify the $27.2M award?

The 'NC3 Enterprise Mission Support' likely includes a range of services such as system sustainment, software development and maintenance, cybersecurity, technical analysis, integration, testing, and potentially training for the complex Nuclear Command, Control, and Communication systems. The exact scope would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), defining the specific engineering tasks required to ensure the NC3 enterprise remains operational, secure, and effective.

What was the justification for excluding certain sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?

The justification for excluding sources typically relates to specific technical requirements, existing system knowledge, security clearances, or proprietary technology that only a limited number of vendors possess. For a critical system like NC3, the agency might have determined that only certain companies could meet the stringent security and technical demands, thus excluding others to ensure specialized expertise and maintain system integrity.

How does the 'Fixed Price Level of Effort' contract type ensure cost-effectiveness for this mission-critical support?

A Fixed Price Level of Effort (FPLE) contract guarantees a specific level of effort at a fixed price. This provides cost certainty for the government regarding the labor hours and associated costs. However, it requires careful definition of the 'level of effort' to prevent scope creep or under-delivery. Effectiveness relies on the agency's ability to accurately estimate the required effort and monitor contractor performance to ensure the defined tasks are completed satisfactorily within the budget.

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: 4

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: $76,447,604

Exercised Options: $44,895,730

Current Obligation: $27,194,960

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 3

Total Subaward Amount: $3,545,933

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