DoD awards $24.8M for Battlespace Command & Control integration, with Parsons Government Services Inc. leading integration efforts

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,794,873 ($24.8M)

Contractor: Parsons Government Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-11-22

End Date: 2026-05-21

Contract Duration: 911 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: IT

Official Description: ABAD BATTLESPACE COMMAND & CONTROL CENTER (BC3) PROCUREMENT, TRAINING & INTEGRATION TASK ORDER

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.8 million to PARSONS GOVERNMENT SERVICES INC. for work described as: ABAD BATTLESPACE COMMAND & CONTROL CENTER (BC3) PROCUREMENT, TRAINING & INTEGRATION TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money assessed through comparison with similar complex integration contracts. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, potentially driving competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators include the Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type, which may incentivize cost overruns. 4. Performance context is tied to the integration and training for the BC3 system. 5. Sector positioning within defense IT and consulting services. 6. The contract duration of over 900 days suggests a significant, long-term effort.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure presents a moderate risk to value for money, as it can incentivize higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar complex integration and training contracts within the Department of Defense is crucial for a definitive value assessment. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, it's challenging to definitively state if the pricing is optimal. However, the full and open competition suggests an effort to achieve competitive pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but a full and open process generally suggests a healthy level of competition, which can lead to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and achieving a fair market price for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and the broader Department of Defense, who will receive enhanced command and control capabilities. Services delivered include procurement, training, and integration for the Battlespace Command & Control Center (BC3). The geographic impact is likely within the operational theaters and training facilities of the Air Force. Workforce implications may include the need for specialized personnel to manage and operate the BC3 system, as well as training personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type may lead to higher costs than anticipated.
Integration of complex command and control systems carries inherent technical risks.
Long contract duration (over 900 days) increases the potential for scope creep or evolving requirements.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition suggests a robust bidding process, potentially leading to better value.
The contract is for a critical defense capability, indicating strategic importance.
Parsons Government Services Inc. is an established contractor in the defense sector.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the defense IT and professional services sector, specifically focusing on command and control systems integration. The market for these services is characterized by a high degree of specialization and significant government spending. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale IT integration and training contracts awarded by the DoD, often in the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars, depending on the scope.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As a large prime contract likely requiring extensive resources and expertise, it may offer subcontracting opportunities for small businesses, particularly in specialized areas of IT support, training, or integration components. However, the primary awardee is a large corporation, suggesting direct prime opportunities for small businesses are limited.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program management office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific operational details may be classified. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Command and Control Systems
Defense IT Modernization
Military Training Services
Systems Integration Contracts
Air Force Procurement

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
Complexity of system integration
Potential for evolving requirements over long duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.8 million to PARSONS GOVERNMENT SERVICES INC.. ABAD BATTLESPACE COMMAND & CONTROL CENTER (BC3) PROCUREMENT, TRAINING & INTEGRATION TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARSONS GOVERNMENT SERVICES 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 $24.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-11-22. End: 2026-05-21.

What is the track record of Parsons Government Services Inc. in delivering similar command and control system integration projects for the Department of Defense?

Parsons Government Services Inc. has a significant history of supporting defense clients, including the Department of Defense, with a range of services that often encompass complex systems integration, IT modernization, and program management. While specific details on their past performance with BC3-like systems are not publicly itemized in this data, their extensive experience in the defense sector suggests a capacity to handle large-scale, critical projects. A deeper dive into their contract history, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any past issues or successes on comparable programs would provide a more robust assessment of their suitability and potential risks associated with this specific award.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure compare to other contract types for similar defense IT integration services, and what are the implications for cost control?

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts are common in defense acquisition, particularly for research, development, and complex integration efforts where the scope may evolve or is not fully defined at the outset. Unlike fixed-price contracts, CPFF reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee, which is the contractor's profit. This structure can be advantageous when innovation or flexibility is paramount, but it carries a higher risk of cost overruns compared to fixed-price arrangements, as the government bears the brunt of cost increases. For cost control, rigorous oversight, detailed cost tracking, and clear performance metrics are essential to ensure the contractor remains efficient and the fixed fee remains appropriate for the effort.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this BC3 procurement, training, and integration task order?

The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this BC3 task order are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical KPIs for such defense IT integration and training contracts would likely include system availability and reliability, successful integration of various C2 components, achievement of training objectives (e.g., proficiency levels of personnel), adherence to cybersecurity standards, timely delivery of milestones, and overall user satisfaction. The effectiveness of the CPFF contract also relies on the government's ability to monitor and measure contractor performance against these metrics, ensuring that the fixed fee is earned through successful execution of the defined scope and objectives.

What is the historical spending trend for Battlespace Command & Control Center (BC3) related procurements within the Department of the Air Force or DoD?

Analyzing historical spending trends for BC3-related procurements requires access to detailed historical contract data beyond this single award. Generally, spending on command and control systems within the DoD is substantial and often fluctuates based on modernization priorities, threat assessments, and technological advancements. The Air Force, in particular, invests heavily in networked systems to maintain situational awareness and operational effectiveness. Without specific historical data for BC3, it's difficult to establish a trend, but it's reasonable to assume that investments in such critical capabilities are ongoing and subject to periodic upgrades and procurements over many years.

What are the potential risks associated with integrating a new or upgraded Battlespace Command & Control Center (BC3) system into existing military infrastructure?

Integrating a new or upgraded BC3 system presents several potential risks. Technical risks include interoperability issues with legacy systems, cybersecurity vulnerabilities introduced during integration, and the complexity of ensuring seamless data flow across different platforms. Programmatic risks involve potential schedule delays and cost overruns, especially with CPFF contracts. Operational risks include the need for extensive user training, potential disruption to ongoing operations during transition, and ensuring the system meets the evolving operational requirements of the warfighter. Furthermore, the reliance on a single contractor for integration, even under full competition, can pose a risk if that contractor faces performance issues or financial instability.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Parsons Corporation

Address: 5875 TRINITY PKWY STE 230, CENTREVILLE, VA, 20120

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $28,444,825

Exercised Options: $28,444,825

Current Obligation: $24,794,873

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 27

Total Subaward Amount: $4,575,438

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA564121D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline