Air Force's $27.2M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to TATE, INCORPORATED for Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $27,203,199 ($27.2M)
Contractor: Tate, Incorporated
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2019-04-30
End Date: 2021-03-31
Contract Duration: 701 days
Daily Burn Rate: $38.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BIG SAFARI
Place of Performance
Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $27.2 million to TATE, INCORPORATED for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $27.2 million for professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. Awarded to TATE, INCORPORATED, indicating a specific vendor relationship. 3. Contract duration of 701 days suggests a substantial project timeline. 4. Classified under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990).
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without a competitive bid, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee represents fair value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price for these services, potentially impacting taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' makes it hard for the public to gauge the necessity and value. The Department of the Air Force's reliance on a single vendor for this duration warrants scrutiny.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Potential for inflated costs
Positive Signals
- Specific vendor selected for a defined period
- Contract awarded by a major agency (DoD)
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. Benchmarks for this specific sub-sector (NAICS 541990) are difficult to establish without more detail on the services rendered.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in subcontracting or if TATE, INCORPORATED is a small business itself. Further investigation is needed.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status suggests potential oversight gaps in ensuring competitive procurement practices. Accountability for the pricing and performance of this sole-source contract is crucial.
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
- Potential for cost overruns with CPFF
- Limited transparency on service specifics
- No indication of small business participation
- Questionable value for taxpayer money
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $27.2 million to TATE, INCORPORATED. BIG SAFARI
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TATE, INCORPORATED.
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 $27.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-04-30. End: 2021-03-31.
What specific services were provided under 'BIG SAFARI' to justify the $27.2 million cost without competition?
The contract description 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is very broad. Understanding the precise nature of the work, such as specialized research, engineering support, or technical consulting, is essential to evaluate the value proposition and determine if the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure was appropriate and if the fixed fee itself was reasonable in the absence of competitive bids.
What were the justifications for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what risks does this pose to the Air Force?
Sole-source awards typically require strong justification, such as a unique capability or urgent need. Without competition, the Air Force risks paying above-market rates and may not benefit from innovative solutions or improved service quality that competition often drives. This also limits the agency's ability to leverage market dynamics for better terms.
How effectively was the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure managed to ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds?
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure requires diligent oversight to control costs. The government must ensure that the contractor's costs are reasonable and allowable, and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for their effort without incentivizing excessive spending. Monitoring performance against the fixed fee and the overall contract value is key to taxpayer protection.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING 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
Parent Company: PAE Government Services Inc.
Address: 1800 DIAGONAL RD STE 520, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $30,168,736
Exercised Options: $30,168,736
Current Obligation: $27,203,199
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862015G4022
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-04-30
Current End Date: 2021-03-31
Potential End Date: 2021-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-25
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