DoD's $7.68M contract for DSOP Team 1 services awarded to Dark Wolf Solutions, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,676,668 ($7.7M)

Contractor: Dark Wolf Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-01-03

End Date: 2026-04-02

Contract Duration: 1,185 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: PARTY BUS - DSOP TEAM 1

Place of Performance

Location: SAN ANTONIO, BEXAR County, TEXAS, 78243

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $7.7 million to DARK WOLF SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: PARTY BUS - DSOP TEAM 1 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price contract type and duration. 2. Competition was full and open after exclusion of sources, suggesting a competitive process. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract potentially shifting cost risk to the contractor. 4. Performance context is for custom computer programming services, a critical area for defense operations. 5. Sector positioning is within IT services for the Department of Defense.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of $7.68 million over approximately three years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar custom computer programming services contracts within the DoD is necessary for a precise value assessment. However, the firm fixed-price structure indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive signal for value if the contractor performs efficiently.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' While this indicates an initial intent for broad competition, the 'exclusion of sources' clause suggests specific criteria or prior engagements may have narrowed the field before the final award. The presence of 9 bidders indicates a healthy level of interest and competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices and encouraging efficiency from the awarded contractor.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from specialized custom computer programming services. Services delivered likely support critical defense operations and IT infrastructure. The contract's impact is primarily within the federal IT sector, with potential workforce implications for skilled programmers. Geographic impact is centered around the Air Force's operational needs, likely within Texas where the contractor is based.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in custom programming projects if not tightly managed.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical DSOP Team 1 functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract aligns incentives for cost control.
Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market for these services.
Contract duration provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, with spending often driven by modernization efforts, cybersecurity needs, and specialized software development for mission-critical applications. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other DoD or federal contracts for similar NAICS codes (541511) and service scopes.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem may be limited unless Dark Wolf Solutions, LLC actively engages small businesses in its subcontracting efforts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics are usually internal.

Related Government Programs

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) IT Services
Air Force Cloud Computing Contracts
Custom Software Development Federal Contracts
Department of Defense IT Modernization Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in custom programming.
Reliance on contractor for critical systems.
Need for detailed performance metrics review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $7.7 million to DARK WOLF SOLUTIONS, LLC. PARTY BUS - DSOP TEAM 1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DARK WOLF SOLUTIONS, LLC.

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 $7.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-01-03. End: 2026-04-02.

What is the specific nature of the 'DSOP TEAM 1' services being provided under this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific functions of 'DSOP TEAM 1'. However, given the NAICS code 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services) and the awarding agency (Department of the Air Force), it is highly probable that these services involve the development, integration, maintenance, or enhancement of specialized software or IT systems critical to Air Force operations. DSOP likely refers to a specific program or system within the Department of the Air Force's operational architecture, requiring tailored programming solutions rather than off-the-shelf software.

How does the pricing of $7.68 million for 1185 days compare to similar custom programming contracts?

The total contract value is approximately $7.68 million over 1185 days (roughly 3.25 years). This equates to an average annual value of about $2.36 million. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against other firm fixed-price contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or Air Force for NAICS code 541511, with similar scope and complexity. Factors like the specific technologies used, security requirements, and the level of customization significantly influence pricing. Without access to a detailed database of comparable contracts with specific service descriptions, a precise per-unit cost comparison is difficult, but the annual spend appears moderate for specialized federal IT services.

What are the primary risks associated with this firm fixed-price contract for custom programming?

The primary risk for the government in a firm fixed-price contract is that the contractor may deliver substandard quality to maximize profit if oversight is weak, or that the price may be higher than necessary if competition was insufficient. For the contractor, the risk is absorbing cost overruns if the project proves more complex or time-consuming than anticipated. In custom programming, risks also include potential scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed, technical challenges, and integration issues with existing systems. Effective project management and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks for both parties.

What is the track record of Dark Wolf Solutions, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

The provided data does not include information on the track record of Dark Wolf Solutions, LLC. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing their past performance on federal contracts, including contract values, types of services rendered, past performance ratings, and any history of contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. Federal procurement databases (like FPDS) and contractor performance assessment reporting tools (CPARS) would be the primary sources for evaluating their history and reliability.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' impact price discovery and taxpayer value?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates that while the solicitation was initially open, certain potential sources were excluded before the final award. This could be due to specific pre-qualification requirements, prior related work, or other factors. While it still implies competition among the remaining eligible bidders (9 in this case), the exclusion might limit the breadth of competition compared to truly unrestricted full and open competition. This could potentially lead to a less aggressive pricing environment, though with 9 bidders, significant price discovery is still likely. Taxpayer value is generally enhanced by competition, but the degree of benefit depends on how effectively the exclusion criteria maintained a competitive landscape.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 9

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14221A WILLARD RD STE 200, CHANTILLY, VA, 20151

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,455,165

Exercised Options: $11,616,662

Current Obligation: $7,676,668

Actual Outlays: $89,164

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA830720G0037

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline