Air Force Awards $2.37M Contract to Sierra Nevada Company for Technical Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,763,165 ($23.8M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2023-08-31
End Date: 2026-02-27
Contract Duration: 911 days
Daily Burn Rate: $26.1K/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 $23.8 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.37 million. 2. Sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Company. 3. Potential risk due to limited competition. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.37 million for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' appears moderate. Without specific service details or benchmarks for this niche category, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the lack of competition could lead to less favorable pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating limited or no competition. This method can reduce administrative burden but may result in higher prices and less innovation compared to a fully competed contract.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price or value due to the absence of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Limited public visibility into the specific services provided. Potential for taxpayer funds to be used less efficiently due to sole-source award. Impact on small businesses is minimal as this is a sole-source award to a large contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Lack of transparency on specific services.
- Potential for inflated costs without competition.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to an established company.
- Clear contract duration and delivery dates.
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector (NAICS 541990) is broad and encompasses a wide range of specialized services. Benchmarking is challenging without knowing the exact nature of the services, but contracts in this area can vary significantly in cost.
Small Business Impact
As a sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Company, a large entity, there is no direct benefit or opportunity for small businesses within this specific contract. The focus is on the prime contractor's capabilities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure Sierra Nevada Company delivers the required services effectively and at a reasonable cost, despite the sole-source nature of the award. The Air Force must monitor performance closely.
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 may lead to higher costs.
- Limited transparency on service details.
- Potential for vendor lock-in.
- Risk of not achieving best value.
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 $23.8 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 $23.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-31. End: 2026-02-27.
What specific technical services are being procured under this contract, and how do they align with the Air Force's mission requirements?
The contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' Without further details, the exact services remain unspecified. These could range from specialized engineering support to scientific research or technical consulting. Understanding the precise nature of these services is critical to assessing their necessity and alignment with the Air Force's strategic objectives and operational needs.
What justification was provided for the sole-source award, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for a sole-source award typically involves factors like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of other responsible sources. For this contract, the Department of Defense must have documented why Sierra Nevada Company was the only viable option. Ensuring fair and reasonable pricing would involve cost analysis, comparison to similar historical contracts (if available), and negotiation by the contracting officer.
What is the expected impact of these technical services on the Air Force's operational effectiveness and long-term technological advantage?
The impact hinges entirely on the specific services rendered. If these services enhance critical systems, improve operational efficiency, or contribute to future technological development, the impact could be significant and positive. Conversely, if the services are routine or do not directly contribute to key mission areas, the impact on effectiveness might be marginal, raising questions about the value proposition 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: 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
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: $23,763,165
Exercised Options: $23,763,165
Current Obligation: $23,763,165
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 44
Total Subaward Amount: $10,925,650
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4035
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-31
Current End Date: 2026-02-27
Potential End Date: 2026-02-27 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-06-17
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