DoD's $4.3M R&D contract for leadership education and wargaming support awarded to Small Business Consulting Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,385,524 ($4.4M)

Contractor: Small Business Consulting Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-06-03

End Date: 2026-07-13

Contract Duration: 405 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: CEI-RADS TASK ORDER 3 LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AND WARGAMING SUPPORT - LEVERAGE ANALYTICAL METHODS AND NOVEL BUSINESS PROCESSES THAT DERIVE, EXTEND OR COMPLETE THE TECHNOLOGIES, METHODS AND PROCESSES DEVELOPED UNDER THE SBIR PHASE II CONTRACT.

Place of Performance

Location: BARKSDALE AFB, BOSSIER County, LOUISIANA, 71110

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $4.4 million to SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTING CORPORATION for work described as: CEI-RADS TASK ORDER 3 LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AND WARGAMING SUPPORT - LEVERAGE ANALYTICAL METHODS AND NOVEL BUSINESS PROCESSES THAT DERIVE, EXTEND OR COMPLETE THE TECHNOLOGIES, METHODS AND PROCESSES DEVELOPED UNDER THE SBIR PHASE II CONTRACT. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on leveraging analytical methods and business processes for R&D, aligning with advanced research objectives. 2. Awarded to a small business, potentially indicating a focus on specialized capabilities or small business development. 3. The contract duration of 405 days suggests a project requiring sustained effort in research and development. 4. The task order structure implies it's part of a larger, potentially indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. 5. The specific NAICS code (541715) points to research in physical, engineering, and life sciences, excluding nano and biotech. 6. The contract type is labor hours, which is common for research and development services where scope can evolve.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $4.3 million for a 405-day period is moderate for R&D services. Without comparable task orders or a broader contract vehicle benchmark, assessing value for money is challenging. The labor hour contract type allows flexibility but can also lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. The specific deliverables related to 'leadership education and wargaming support' need further context to benchmark against industry standards for similar R&D efforts.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This could be due to the specialized nature of the services required, a prior relationship established under a different contract vehicle, or specific requirements that only one contractor could meet. The lack of open competition means potential savings from a competitive bidding process may not have been realized.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for other businesses to compete for government contracts and may result in higher prices compared to fully competed contracts.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from enhanced leadership education and wargaming capabilities, crucial for strategic planning and operational readiness. The contract supports research and development in advanced analytical methods and business processes, potentially leading to improved defense strategies. Workforce implications include specialized roles for researchers, analysts, and consultants within Small Business Consulting Corporation. The geographic impact is primarily within Louisiana, where the contractor is located, though the services support national defense objectives.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced incentive for cost efficiency.
The 'labor hours' contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent scope creep and ensure efficient resource utilization.
The specific nature of 'leadership education and wargaming support' within R&D needs clear performance metrics to ensure effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Award to a small business contractor can foster growth and provide opportunities for specialized firms.
The focus on advanced analytical methods and business processes aligns with modernizing defense capabilities.
The contract supports critical R&D functions for the Department of the Air Force, contributing to national security.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for defense-related R&D is substantial, with significant government investment aimed at maintaining technological superiority. This contract appears to support a niche within defense R&D, focusing on strategic planning tools and methodologies rather than hardware or pure scientific discovery. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within broader R&D services contracts awarded by the DoD.

Small Business Impact

The contractor, Small Business Consulting Corporation, is a small business. This award may represent a direct contract to a small business, fulfilling set-aside goals. However, the contract was not explicitly stated as a small business set-aside, and its sole-source nature means it wasn't competed among small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities for other small businesses are anticipated or required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. As a task order under a larger vehicle (potentially), oversight might be integrated into the parent contract's framework. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development Programs
Air Force Wargaming and Simulation Initiatives
Defense Leadership Development Programs
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (as mentioned in description)

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit competition and potentially increase costs.
Labor hour contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs and scope.
Performance metrics and specific deliverables are not detailed, impacting outcome assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $4.4 million to SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTING CORPORATION. CEI-RADS TASK ORDER 3 LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AND WARGAMING SUPPORT - LEVERAGE ANALYTICAL METHODS AND NOVEL BUSINESS PROCESSES THAT DERIVE, EXTEND OR COMPLETE THE TECHNOLOGIES, METHODS AND PROCESSES DEVELOPED UNDER THE SBIR PHASE II CONTRACT.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SMALL BUSINESS CONSULTING CORPORATION.

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 $4.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-03. End: 2026-07-13.

What is the specific nature of the 'leadership education and wargaming support' being provided, and how does it leverage prior SBIR Phase II work?

The contract description indicates the task order aims to 'LEVERAGE ANALYTICAL METHODS AND NOVEL BUSINESS PROCESSES THAT DERIVE, EXTEND OR COMPLETE THE TECHNOLOGIES, METHODS AND PROCESSES DEVELOPED UNDER THE SBIR PHASE II CONTRACT.' This suggests the current work builds directly upon foundational research previously completed. The 'leadership education and wargaming support' likely involves translating the SBIR-developed technologies or methods into practical applications for training military leaders and simulating operational scenarios. This could include developing curriculum, creating simulation environments, or providing analytical support for strategic decision-making exercises. The specific outputs are not detailed, but the connection to prior R&D implies a focus on applied research and development rather than basic research.

How does the $4.3 million value compare to similar R&D task orders for wargaming or leadership support within the DoD?

Benchmarking this $4.3 million task order against similar R&D efforts for wargaming or leadership support within the DoD is challenging without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts. However, for specialized R&D services, this value is within a moderate range. Larger, more complex wargaming simulations or extensive leadership development programs could easily exceed tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, more focused analytical studies might be valued in the hundreds of thousands. The 'labor hours' contract type means the final cost is dependent on the actual hours worked, making direct value comparison difficult without knowing the labor rates and total hours expended. The sole-source nature also removes the competitive pressure that typically drives down prices for comparable services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to assess the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for this contract. Typically, for R&D contracts involving analytical methods and business processes, success might be measured by the successful development and validation of new methodologies, the effectiveness of training programs derived from the research, the accuracy and utility of wargaming simulations, or the successful integration of developed technologies into existing DoD systems. Given the 'labor hours' contract type, performance is often assessed through regular progress reports, milestone achievements, and the quality of deliverables. The connection to a prior SBIR Phase II contract suggests that the successful extension or completion of those prior efforts would be a primary measure of success.

What is the track record of Small Business Consulting Corporation in performing similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense?

Information regarding the specific track record of Small Business Consulting Corporation in performing similar R&D contracts for the Department of Defense is not detailed in the provided data. As a small business, its contract history may be more limited compared to larger defense contractors. However, the fact that they were awarded this task order, especially under a sole-source justification, suggests they possess specific capabilities or have a prior relationship that the Air Force deemed necessary. Further investigation into the contractor's past performance databases (e.g., CPARS) or other contract awards would be required to fully assess their relevant experience and reliability in executing R&D projects of this nature.

Given the sole-source award, what steps are in place to ensure fair pricing and prevent contractor overreach?

When a contract is awarded sole-source, ensuring fair pricing and preventing overreach relies heavily on the government's negotiation and oversight capabilities. For this 'labor hours' contract, the government would have negotiated specific labor rates for different labor categories. Fair pricing is assessed by comparing these rates against government estimates, historical data, or commercial market rates for similar services. The contracting officer is responsible for determining price reasonableness. Oversight involves diligent monitoring of the hours charged, ensuring they align with the work performed and are necessary for contract completion. The 'labor hours' structure necessitates close tracking of effort to prevent scope creep and ensure the contractor is not billing for unnecessary work. The contracting officer's representative (COR) plays a crucial role in monitoring performance and technical progress.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2031 KINGS HWY STE 231, SHREVEPORT, LA, 71103

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,399,248

Exercised Options: $4,385,524

Current Obligation: $4,385,524

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA680025D0001

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline