DoD's $36.5M Contract for BIG SAFARI Support Services Awarded to Sierra Nevada Company
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $36,544,074 ($36.5M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2011-08-01
End Date: 2012-12-28
Contract Duration: 515 days
Daily Burn Rate: $71.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ACAT III, BIG SAFARI, AFRICOM UCA
Place of Performance
Location: SPARKS, WASHOE County, NEVADA, 89434
State: Nevada Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $36.5 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: ACAT III, BIG SAFARI, AFRICOM UCA Key points: 1. Contract awarded for 'All Other Support Services' under ACAT III. 2. Sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract with a duration of 515 days. 4. Significant spending in the 'Support Services' sector for the Department of Defense.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $36.5 million for 515 days of support services appears high without clear justification. Benchmarking against similar 'All Other Support Services' contracts is difficult due to the broad NAICS code, but the per-unit cost seems elevated.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely resulted in a higher price than if multiple vendors had bid, impacting taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have overpaid due to the sole-source nature of the award. Lack of transparency in the procurement process raises concerns about efficiency. Limited visibility into the specific services provided under 'All Other Support Services'. Potential for reduced innovation due to the absence of competitive market forces.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Broad NAICS code
- High per-unit cost
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type
- Clear contract duration
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the broad 'All Other Support Services' category within the Department of Defense. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but a $36.5 million award for less than two years of service warrants scrutiny for efficiency.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC, a large business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this sole-source award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award suggests limited oversight in the initial procurement phase. Further oversight would be needed to ensure the services delivered met the stated requirements and represented good value.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Support Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
- High cost for a broad service category.
- Potential for taxpayer overpayment.
- Limited transparency in procurement.
- No small business participation evident.
Tags
all-other-support-services, department-of-defense, nv, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $36.5 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC. ACAT III, BIG SAFARI, AFRICOM UCA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, 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 $36.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2011-08-01. End: 2012-12-28.
What specific services were provided under this 'All Other Support Services' contract, and how did they justify the $36.5 million cost?
The contract's broad NAICS code (561990) and 'All Other Support Services' description lack specificity. Without detailed service descriptions and performance metrics, it's challenging to ascertain the precise value delivered for the $36.5 million expenditure. Further documentation would be required to understand the justification for the cost.
What were the risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and how were they mitigated?
The primary risk of a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the absence of competition. Other risks include reduced innovation and a lack of vendor accountability. Mitigation strategies are unclear, but typically involve rigorous justification for sole-sourcing and detailed contract monitoring.
How effective was this contract in meeting the Department of Defense's needs for BIG SAFARI support, given the procurement method?
The effectiveness of the contract in meeting needs is difficult to assess without performance data. However, the sole-source award method inherently limits the potential for achieving optimal effectiveness and value compared to a competitive process. The government relied on Sierra Nevada Company's ability to deliver without market validation.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Other Support Services › All Other Support Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 444 SALOMON CIR, SPARKS, NV, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,544,074
Exercised Options: $36,544,074
Current Obligation: $36,544,074
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2011-08-01
Current End Date: 2012-12-28
Potential End Date: 2012-12-28 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-12-03
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