DoD's Air Force Awards $7.5M Engineering Services Contract to Applied Research Associates, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,529,207 ($7.5M)

Contractor: Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-09-21

End Date: 2026-09-20

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: A5I PROGRAMMATIC ENGINEERING A&AS

Place of Performance

Location: BARKSDALE AFB, BOSSIER County, LOUISIANA, 71110

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.5 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC. for work described as: A5I PROGRAMMATIC ENGINEERING A&AS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for programmatic engineering A&AS services. 2. Applied Research Associates, Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 1095 days. 4. The award falls under Engineering Services (NAICS 541330).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $7.53 million over three years suggests a reasonable price for specialized engineering services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale engineering support contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method is expected to yield fair market prices and ensure the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary engineering services.

Public Impact

Supports critical Air Force engineering and programmatic needs. Ensures continued development and sustainment of Air Force assets. Potential for follow-on work based on performance.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Contract duration is substantial, requiring ongoing monitoring.
Specific deliverables and performance metrics need close oversight.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Fixed-price contract type can control costs.
Experienced contractor likely to deliver quality services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, which is crucial for defense agencies. Spending in this sector often involves complex technical requirements and long-term support, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

This award does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses. Analysis of subcontracting plans would be necessary to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Air Force is responsible for oversight. Contract performance reviews and milestone tracking will be key to ensuring accountability and successful delivery.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Contract duration is long (3 years).
Potential for scope creep if SOW is not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical services.
Performance monitoring is crucial for success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.5 million to APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC.. A5I PROGRAMMATIC ENGINEERING A&AS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, 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 $7.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-21. End: 2026-09-20.

What is the specific scope of 'programmatic engineering A&AS' covered by this contract?

Programmatic Engineering and Associated Administrative Services (A&AS) typically encompass a broad range of support activities essential for managing complex defense programs. This can include systems engineering, technical support, acquisition planning, lifecycle management, risk assessment, and logistical support analysis. The exact scope is defined within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW), detailing specific tasks, deliverables, and performance standards required by the Air Force.

How does the $7.53 million award compare to similar engineering support contracts within the Department of Defense?

Benchmarking this $7.53 million award requires comparing it against contracts for similar programmatic engineering and A&AS services within the DoD. Factors like contract duration (3 years), specific technical requirements, and the level of expertise needed significantly influence pricing. While a direct comparison is difficult without more detailed data, this value appears moderate for a multi-year, specialized engineering support contract, especially given the competitive award.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the effectiveness and value for money of these engineering services?

Effectiveness and value are typically ensured through a combination of mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price contract type incentivizes the contractor to control costs. The full and open competition process aims to secure the best value. Furthermore, the Air Force will likely employ performance metrics, regular progress reviews, and milestone acceptance criteria within the Statement of Work to monitor the quality and impact of the services provided.

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

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4300 SAN MATEO BLVD NE STE A220, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87110

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $13,168,461

Exercised Options: $7,579,207

Current Obligation: $7,529,207

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $2,076,811

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADU304

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline