DoD's $6.5M 'BIG SAFARI' contract awarded to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC for unspecified professional services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,574,555 ($6.6M)

Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-27

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,830 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.6K/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: SPARKS, WASHOE County, NEVADA, 89434

State: Nevada Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.6 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies and market competition. 2. The contract duration of 1830 days suggests a long-term need for the services provided. 3. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code indicates a broad scope of work. 4. Lack of competition may limit opportunities for other vendors and potentially impact pricing. 5. The contract's value, while significant, needs to be benchmarked against similar sole-source awards for context. 6. Performance risk is moderate given the sole-source nature and potential for scope creep without competitive pressure.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the lack of publicly available details on the specific services rendered and the absence of competitive bids. Without comparison to similar sole-source awards or market rates for the specialized services, it's difficult to definitively assess if the $6.5 million represents good value for money. The firm fixed-price structure offers some cost certainty, but the absence of competition means there's less pressure to optimize pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities or technology required for the service. The lack of competition means that Sierra Nevada Company, LLC was the only entity considered, which can limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to a competitively bid contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that typically arise from a competitive bidding process. The absence of multiple offers means there was no downward pressure on price from competing firms.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is likely the Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, receiving specialized technical services. The services delivered are crucial for supporting the 'BIG SAFARI' program, though the exact nature remains undisclosed. Geographic impact is not specified but likely concentrated around military installations or operational areas. Workforce implications could involve highly skilled technical personnel employed by Sierra Nevada Company, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits transparency and potential for cost savings.
Lack of detailed public information on services provided hinders performance assessment.
Long contract duration could lead to scope creep if not managed tightly.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to an established company suggests potential for reliable service delivery.
The 'BIG SAFARI' program itself may represent a critical national security capability.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is vast and encompasses a wide range of specialized support for government agencies. This contract falls under the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category, indicating a niche or unique requirement. Comparable spending in this broad sector can range from millions to billions, depending on the specific services and agency. The sole-source nature suggests this contract addresses a highly specialized segment within this market.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. Therefore, it does not directly contribute to small business subcontracting goals. The award to a single, likely larger, prime contractor means that opportunities for small businesses would primarily arise if Sierra Nevada Company, LLC chooses to subcontract portions of the work, which is not explicitly mandated here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the classification or sensitivity of the 'BIG SAFARI' program, which may restrict public disclosure of details. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Research and Development
Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Programs
Specialized Technical Support Services
Sole-Source Procurement Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of service detail
Potential for cost overruns without competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.6 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 $6.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-27. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific services are being provided under the 'BIG SAFARI' contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' However, the exact nature of the services is not publicly detailed, likely due to the classified or sensitive operational context of the 'BIG SAFARI' program. These services could range from specialized engineering, technical analysis, system integration, or operational support critical to the program's objectives. Without further disclosure, a precise definition of the services remains unknown, making it difficult to assess their specific value or impact beyond their contribution to the overarching program.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the agency's needs. For the 'BIG SAFARI' contract, this could be due to unique proprietary technology, specialized expertise held exclusively by Sierra Nevada Company, LLC, or urgent requirements where a full and open competition would be impractical or detrimental to national security. The specific justification for this sole-source award would be documented by the Department of the Air Force, often citing reasons such as unique capabilities, existing system integration, or critical operational timelines that preclude a competitive process.

How does the $6.5 million contract value compare to similar sole-source awards for technical services?

Direct comparison of this $6.5 million sole-source contract value to similar awards is challenging without knowing the specific technical services rendered and the duration of those comparable contracts. Sole-source awards often command higher prices due to the lack of competition and the specialized nature of the services. However, if the services are highly complex or critical, $6.5 million over approximately five years (1830 days) might be within a reasonable range for specialized technical support. A thorough benchmark would require access to detailed contract databases and analysis of contracts with similar NAICS codes and sole-source justifications.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source contract of this magnitude?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source contract of this magnitude include potential overpricing due to the absence of competitive pressure, limited innovation from the incumbent contractor if they face no threat of losing the business, and a lack of transparency regarding the necessity and scope of the services. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in, making it difficult and costly to transition to a different provider in the future. Effective oversight and robust performance management by the government are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

What is the historical spending pattern for the 'BIG SAFARI' program or similar services?

Historical spending patterns for the 'BIG SAFARI' program are not readily available in the provided data, likely due to its sensitive nature. However, analyzing historical spending on similar 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) by the Department of Defense or Air Force could provide context. Such analysis would involve examining trends in contract values, competition levels, and duration for services supporting intelligence, reconnaissance, or specialized military operations. Without specific program data, it's difficult to ascertain if this $6.5 million award represents an increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: COMM/DETECT/COHERENT RADIATION

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: $8,027,413

Exercised Options: $6,574,555

Current Obligation: $6,574,555

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 14

Total Subaward Amount: $1,081,788

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862016G3013

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline