Air Force's $28.4M 'BIG SAFARI' contract awarded to Sierra Nevada Company for technical services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,362,873 ($28.4M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2020-05-01
End Date: 2023-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,339 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.2K/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: SPARKS, WASHOE County, NEVADA, 89434
State: Nevada Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $28.4 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $28.4 million. 2. Sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Company, limiting competition. 3. Potential risk associated with a sole-source procurement. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to higher costs if not managed carefully. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This was a sole-source award, meaning competition was not sought. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to the government than if multiple vendors had competed.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $28.4 million contract raises concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific nature of 'BIG SAFARI' and its services is not detailed, impacting public understanding. The long duration (over 3 years) of the contract warrants close monitoring for continued necessity and value.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Lack of transparency on specific services
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a known entity (Sierra Nevada Company)
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad and often involves specialized expertise. Benchmarks for this specific type of service are hard to establish without more detail, but the contract value is substantial.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source award, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from the Department of the Air Force to ensure the contractor is delivering value and costs are reasonable.
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 price competition.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
- No indication of small business participation.
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 $28.4 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 $28.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-05-01. End: 2023-12-31.
What specific technical services does 'BIG SAFARI' encompass, and why was a sole-source award necessary?
The specific technical services under 'BIG SAFARI' are not detailed in the provided data. A sole-source award is typically justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services for reasons like urgency, unique capability, or compatibility. Further justification from the Department of the Air Force would be needed to understand the necessity.
What are the potential cost risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract for these services?
Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts carry inherent risks where the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. If the contractor's costs exceed initial estimates, the government bears that cost increase. The fixed fee, however, remains constant, incentivizing cost control to some extent, but the overall cost can still be higher than a fixed-price contract.
How does the lack of competition impact the government's ability to ensure effective service delivery and value for money?
The absence of competition significantly hinders the government's ability to ensure effective service delivery and value for money. Without competing proposals, there's no benchmark to assess if Sierra Nevada Company's proposed price is competitive or if alternative solutions might be more effective or cost-efficient. This can lead to inflated prices and potentially less optimal service outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS
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: $30,169,208
Exercised Options: $30,169,208
Current Obligation: $28,362,873
Actual Outlays: $235,543
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 44
Total Subaward Amount: $14,802,601
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862017G4011
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-05-01
Current End Date: 2023-12-31
Potential End Date: 2023-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-29
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