Air Force's BIG SAFARI contract reaches $19.4M with Sierra Nevada Company, facing limited competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,446,646 ($19.4M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-03-21
End Date: 2024-07-31
Contract Duration: 1,959 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.9K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BIG SAFARI
Place of Performance
Location: ENGLEWOOD, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80112
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $19.4 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. The contract value is substantial at $19.4M. 2. Competition appears limited, with a 'NOT COMPETED' status. 3. Potential risks include lack of competitive pricing and innovation. 4. The sector is Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $19.4M for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is difficult to benchmark without specific service details. However, the duration of nearly 2000 days suggests a significant undertaking.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'NOT COMPETED', indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This method may lead to higher prices as competitive pressures are absent, impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition could result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to limited competition. The specific services provided are unclear, hindering public understanding. Long contract duration raises questions about ongoing necessity and value.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition
- Lack of transparency on services
- Potential for overpricing
Positive Signals
- Long-term engagement with a single provider
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. Benchmarking is challenging without knowing the specific technical services, but large contracts in this area often involve complex research, analysis, or specialized support.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests a potential lack of robust oversight in ensuring competitive sourcing. Accountability for pricing and performance needs to be closely monitored given the limited competition.
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
- Unclear service details
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited small business participation
- Extended contract duration without clear justification
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 $19.4 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC. 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 $19.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-03-21. End: 2024-07-31.
What specific technical services are being procured under BIG SAFARI, and how do they align with the Air Force's strategic objectives?
The specific technical services procured under the 'BIG SAFARI' contract are not detailed in the provided data. This contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' To assess alignment with Air Force objectives, a deeper dive into the contract's statement of work and associated mission requirements would be necessary.
What justification was provided for not competing this contract, and what measures are in place to ensure fair pricing?
The justification for not competing this contract is not provided. Typically, sole-source or limited competition awards require detailed justification, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this information, it's difficult to assess the fairness of the pricing, though the absence of competition generally raises concerns about potential overpayment.
How is the effectiveness and value of the services provided by Sierra Nevada Company being measured throughout the contract's extended duration?
The provided data does not include details on how the effectiveness and value of services are measured. For a contract of this duration and value, performance metrics, regular reviews, and clear deliverables should be established and monitored by the Air Force to ensure the services are meeting requirements and providing adequate value for taxpayer funds.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: HARDWARE AND ABRASIVES
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
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: $19,611,262
Exercised Options: $19,611,262
Current Obligation: $19,446,646
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 2
Total Subaward Amount: $16,994,082
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: 2019-03-21
Current End Date: 2024-07-31
Potential End Date: 2024-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-04
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