DoD's $24.7M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to Sierra Nevada Company for Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,742,689 ($24.7M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-09-13
End Date: 2024-03-31
Contract Duration: 200 days
Daily Burn Rate: $123.7K/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 $24.7 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $24.7 million awarded. 2. Sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC. 3. Contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code. 4. Delivery order issued under a larger contract, indicating potential for follow-on work.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount is substantial, but without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a precise value assessment is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, raising questions about whether the government obtained the best possible price. Sole-source awards limit price discovery and competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition in this sole-source award may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract.
Public Impact
Potential for advanced technology development or acquisition under the 'BIG SAFARI' program. Impact on the aerospace and defense sector, specifically for specialized technical services. Limited transparency due to sole-source nature may affect public understanding of resource allocation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost-plus contract type carries inherent cost escalation risk.
- Lack of detailed public information on specific services provided.
Positive Signals
- Award to established contractor Sierra Nevada Company.
- Supports critical Department of the Air Force mission.
- Potential for innovation within the 'BIG SAFARI' program.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, which is broad and encompasses specialized expertise. The $24.7 million award is a significant sum, suggesting a complex or high-priority project within the Department of Defense.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC, a large business. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting missed opportunities for small business engagement.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny to ensure fair pricing and necessity. Further oversight is needed to confirm the justification for not competing the contract and to monitor cost performance.
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
- Cost-plus contract type
- Potential for cost overruns
- Limited transparency on specific services
- No small business participation indicated
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 $24.7 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 $24.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-13. End: 2024-03-31.
What specific technical services are being procured under the 'BIG SAFARI' program, and how do they align with the Air Force's strategic objectives?
The 'BIG SAFARI' program typically focuses on rapid acquisition of highly specialized intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. While specific details are often classified, these services likely involve advanced sensor technology, data processing, and integration for critical national security missions. The alignment with strategic objectives would be centered on enhancing the Air Force's situational awareness and intelligence gathering capabilities.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source can provide the required supplies or services, often due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent needs. The justification for this contract would need to be documented and approved by the contracting authority. Fair and reasonable pricing is assessed through various methods, including historical price data, market research, and cost analysis, even without direct competition.
What is the expected return on investment or measurable outcome for the $24.7 million expenditure on these technical services?
Measuring the return on investment for specialized technical services, especially in defense, can be challenging as outcomes are often tied to mission success and national security rather than direct financial returns. Measurable outcomes might include enhanced intelligence gathering, improved operational effectiveness, or the successful development and deployment of new technologies. The value is derived from the contribution to the Air Force's overall mission capabilities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT 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
Address: 11551 E ARAPAHOE RD, CENTENNIAL, CO, 80112
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: $37,118,209
Exercised Options: $34,715,583
Current Obligation: $24,742,689
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 43
Total Subaward Amount: $10,692,817
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4009
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-13
Current End Date: 2024-03-31
Potential End Date: 2024-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-18
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