DoD's $74M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC for Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $74,372,396 ($74.4M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-12-01
End Date: 2018-11-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $204.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF ACAT III BIG SAFARI
Place of Performance
Location: ENGLEWOOD, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80112
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $74.4 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF ACAT III BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract value of $74.4M awarded to a single vendor. 2. Sierra Nevada Company, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. Risk of limited competition due to sole-source nature. 4. Spending falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Benchmarking against similar CPFF contracts for specialized technical services is difficult without more detailed cost breakdowns.
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 compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government achieved the best possible price for these services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. Limited transparency into the justification for a sole-source award. Potential for reduced innovation if alternative solutions were not considered.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost-plus contract type
- Lack of competition
Positive Signals
- Award to established company
- Specific technical services provided
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad and can encompass highly specialized areas. Benchmarking is challenging without knowing the exact nature of the 'BIG SAFARI' project.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, and the sole-source nature further limits opportunities for small business participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for sole-source, cost-plus contracts to ensure funds are used efficiently and effectively. The justification for not competing the contract needs thorough review.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of transparency in justification for sole-source.
- Potential for inflated pricing due to no competition.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, co, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $74.4 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC. IGF::CT::IGF 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 $74.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-12-01. End: 2018-11-30.
What specific technical services were provided under the 'BIG SAFARI' contract, and how do they align with the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code?
The 'BIG SAFARI' contract likely pertains to highly specialized and potentially classified technical services, falling under NAICS code 541990. This broad category includes services not elsewhere classified, often involving unique expertise or proprietary technology. Without specific project details, it's difficult to pinpoint the exact services, but they could range from advanced engineering and systems integration to specialized research and development for the Air Force.
What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of viable alternatives. For this contract, the Department of Defense would need to document why only Sierra Nevada Company, LLC could fulfill the requirement. Ensuring fair and reasonable pricing in sole-source situations often involves detailed cost analysis, comparison to similar historical contracts, and independent government cost estimates.
What is the long-term strategic value of this contract to the Department of Defense, considering the cost-plus fixed fee structure and lack of competition?
The long-term strategic value hinges on the criticality of the 'BIG SAFARI' project and Sierra Nevada Company's unique contribution. While the CPFF structure and sole-source award present cost risks, they might be deemed necessary for acquiring specialized capabilities essential for national security. Effective program management and oversight are paramount to maximizing value and mitigating risks associated with this procurement approach.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical 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: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
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: $77,836,796
Exercised Options: $77,836,796
Current Obligation: $74,372,396
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 251
Total Subaward Amount: $35,934,403
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: 2017-12-01
Current End Date: 2018-11-30
Potential End Date: 2018-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-04-06
More Contracts from Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
- Survivable Airborne Operations Center (saoc) — $2.6B (Department of Defense)
- SNC Model DO 0001 — $655.3M (Department of Defense)
- Engineering&manufacturing Development — $495.7M (Department of Defense)
- BIG Safari — $442.6M (Department of Defense)
- BIG Safari — $429.7M (Department of Defense)
Other Department of Defense Contracts
- Federal Contract — $51.3B (Humana Government Business Inc)
- Lrip LOT 12 Advance Acquisition Contract — $35.1B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- SSN 802 and 803 Long Lead Time Material — $34.7B (Electric Boat Corporation)
- 200204!008532!1700!AF600 !naval AIR Systems Command !N0001902C3002 !A!N! !N! !20011026!20120430!008016958!008016958!834951691!n!lockheed Martin Corporation !lockheed Blvd !fort Worth !tx!76108!27000!439!48!fort Worth !tarrant !texas !+000026000000!n!n!018981928201!ac15!rdte/Aircraft-Eng/Manuf Develop !a1a!airframes and Spares !2ama!jast/Jsf !336411!E! !3! ! ! ! ! !99990909!B! ! !A! !a!n!r!2!002!n!1a!a!n!z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !a!a!a!a!000!a!c!n! ! ! !Y! !N00019!0001! — $34.2B (Lockheed Martin Corporation)
- KC-X Modernization Program — $32.0B (THE Boeing Company)