DoD's $56M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to Sierra Nevada Company for Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $56,175,209 ($56.2M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2018-06-01
End Date: 2019-08-31
Contract Duration: 456 days
Daily Burn Rate: $123.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF ACAT III BIG SAFARI
Place of Performance
Location: CENTENNIAL, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80112
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $56.2 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF ACAT III BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $56.18 million awarded. 2. Sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC. 3. Contract covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force. 5. Contract duration of 456 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $56.18 million for a 456-day period appears high for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' without further justification. Benchmarking against similar contracts is difficult due to the broad NAICS code and lack of detailed scope.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of full and open competition. This method may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award raises concerns about whether the government obtained the best possible price for these services.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may have paid a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding. Limited transparency into the justification for a sole-source award. Potential for reduced innovation by not engaging a wider range of vendors.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competition
- Broad service category
- High contract value for duration
Positive Signals
- Specific contractor identified
- Clear award date and duration
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). Spending in this broad category can vary widely, but sole-source awards for significant amounts warrant scrutiny to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
The award to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC, does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small business participation. The sole-source nature likely precluded small businesses from competing.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial for sole-source contracts to ensure fair pricing and necessity. The Department of the Air Force's justification for this award and subsequent performance monitoring are key accountability measures.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition raises cost concerns.
- Broad service category limits specific performance evaluation.
- Potential for inflated pricing due to sole-source award.
- Limited transparency on justification for sole-sourcing.
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 $56.2 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 $56.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2018-06-01. End: 2019-08-31.
What was the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves factors like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of market availability. Without the specific justification documentation, it's impossible to confirm if alternatives were explored. However, sole-source awards inherently bypass competitive processes, potentially impacting price and innovation.
How does the contract's value and duration compare to similar professional, scientific, and technical services procured competitively by the DoD?
Benchmarking this $56.18 million contract, awarded over 456 days for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is challenging without more specific service details. Generally, competitive procurements aim for lower per-unit costs and greater value. The sole-source nature suggests a potential deviation from standard competitive pricing benchmarks.
What specific deliverables or outcomes were expected under this contract, and how was their effectiveness measured?
The provided data lacks details on specific deliverables or performance metrics. Effectiveness would typically be assessed through contract close-out reports, acceptance of deliverables, and potentially post-performance reviews. Understanding the 'BIG SAFARI' program's objectives is essential to evaluating the contract's ultimate success and value.
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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
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: $56,175,209
Exercised Options: $56,175,209
Current Obligation: $56,175,209
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 79
Total Subaward Amount: $32,880,564
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3013
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2018-06-01
Current End Date: 2019-08-31
Potential End Date: 2019-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-12-16
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)