DoD's $11.2M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to Sierra Nevada Company for Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,246,135 ($11.2M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2022-08-30
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 1,584 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.1K/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: ENGLEWOOD, DENVER County, COLORADO, 80112
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $11.2 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract value of $11.2 million. 2. Awarded to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC. 3. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 4. Contract duration extends to December 2026. 5. No small business participation noted.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. Lack of competition limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these services.
Public Impact
Potential for increased costs due to non-competitive award. Services provided may be critical to national security or specific Air Force operations. Limited transparency on the specific nature of the 'BIG SAFARI' program.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- No small business participation
Positive Signals
- Award to established contractor
- Long-term service provision
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is broad and can encompass a wide range of specialized support. Spending in this sector can vary significantly based on agency needs and project complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. This suggests that the prime contractor, Sierra Nevada Company, is likely a large business, and opportunities for small businesses were not included in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial given the sole-source nature of this award and the Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure. The Department of the Air Force must ensure rigorous monitoring of costs and performance to protect taxpayer interests.
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 Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
- Lack of small business participation.
- Broad service category lacks specificity.
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 $11.2 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 $11.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-08-30. End: 2026-12-31.
What specific technical services does the 'BIG SAFARI' program entail, and how do they align with the Air Force's mission objectives?
The 'BIG SAFARI' program likely refers to a specific initiative within the Air Force, possibly related to intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, or advanced technology development. Understanding the precise nature of these services is crucial to assessing their necessity and value. Without this information, it's difficult to determine if the $11.2 million expenditure is justified and directly supports critical Air Force operational or strategic goals.
What is 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 or circumstances where only one contractor can meet the requirement. For this contract, the Department of the Air Force must have documented reasons, such as proprietary technology or urgent need. Ensuring fair and reasonable pricing without competition requires thorough market research, cost analysis, and negotiation by the contracting officers to mitigate the risks associated with a non-competitive procurement.
How will the effectiveness of the services provided under this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract be measured and ensured?
Effectiveness under a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract is typically measured through performance metrics, milestones, and deliverables outlined in the contract. The Air Force must establish clear performance standards and conduct regular reviews to ensure Sierra Nevada Company is meeting its obligations. Robust oversight and quality assurance processes are essential to verify that the services are delivered as intended and contribute to the program's success, despite the inherent cost-reimbursement nature of the contract.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: AEROSPACE CRAFT AND STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
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: $11,246,135
Exercised Options: $11,246,135
Current Obligation: $11,246,135
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: 2022-08-30
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-11-20
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