DoD's $21.9M BIG SAFARI contract awarded to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC for technical services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $21,907,514 ($21.9M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-02-08
End Date: 2022-07-11
Contract Duration: 1,614 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: ACAT III BIG SAFARI
Place of Performance
Location: SPARKS, WASHOE County, NEVADA, 89434
State: Nevada Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $21.9 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: ACAT III BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $21.9 million awarded. 2. Sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC. 3. Contract covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 4. Long duration of 1614 days (approx. 4.4 years).
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract is a Cost Plus Fixed Fee type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee represents fair value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This was a sole-source award, meaning there was no competition. This significantly limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for a $21.9 million contract raises concerns about potential overspending and inefficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The long contract duration suggests a critical, ongoing need for these services. Lack of transparency in pricing due to sole-source nature.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Lack of competition
- Long contract duration
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a single, potentially specialized vendor.
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is broad. Without more detail on the specific services provided under BIG SAFARI, it's hard to benchmark against industry standards. However, large sole-source contracts in this area warrant scrutiny.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC, which is not identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or performance.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this large contract suggests a need for robust oversight from the Department of the Air Force to ensure cost control and effective service delivery.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency in pricing
- Long contract duration without re-competition
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, nv, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $21.9 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC. ACAT III BIG SAFARI
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 $21.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-02-08. End: 2022-07-11.
What specific technical services does the BIG SAFARI program entail, and why was a sole-source award necessary?
The BIG SAFARI program is a classified initiative within the Department of the Air Force, often related to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities, technology, or security clearances required for a highly specialized or classified project, preventing open competition.
What are the potential cost implications of a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded without competition?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can be risky without competition. While the contractor's profit is fixed, the government bears the risk of cost overruns. Without competitive pressure to drive down costs, the government may end up paying more than necessary, especially if the initial cost estimates were inaccurate or if contractor inefficiencies are not adequately managed.
How does the long duration of this contract impact accountability and adaptability?
A contract spanning over four years presents challenges for accountability and adaptability. It requires continuous monitoring to ensure performance remains aligned with evolving needs and technological advancements. Without periodic re-competition or clear performance metrics, there's a risk of complacency or the government becoming locked into potentially outdated solutions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT (INCLD FIRMWARE) SOFTWARE,SUPPLIES& SUPPORT EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Sierra Nevada Corporation
Address: 444 SALOMON CIR, SPARKS, NV, 89434
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,079,377
Exercised Options: $23,079,377
Current Obligation: $21,907,514
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $503,120
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3013
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-02-08
Current End Date: 2022-07-11
Potential End Date: 2022-07-11 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-04-29
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