DoD's $15.2M 'BIG SAFARI' Contract Awarded to Sierra Nevada Company for Technical Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,199,151 ($15.2M)

Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-01-03

End Date: 2027-12-03

Contract Duration: 1,430 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.6K/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 $15.2 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single, established vendor. 2. Significant value suggests a critical or specialized need. 3. Lack of competition raises questions about price discovery. 4. Services fall under broad professional, scientific, and technical categories.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly. Without a competitive benchmark, assessing the value for money is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these services, impacting taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Potential for higher costs due to sole-source award. Impact on innovation if alternative solutions were not considered. Ensuring effective service delivery under a non-competitive contract is crucial.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award
Cost-plus contract type
Lack of transparency in pricing

Positive Signals

Award to established company
Long-term contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but competitive bidding is generally encouraged to ensure efficiency.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses, which could be an area for improvement in future contracting strategies to promote small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to ensure Sierra Nevada Company delivers on its obligations within the cost parameters of this sole-source, cost-plus contract.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns
Lack of competitive pricing
Limited innovation due to sole-source
Dependency on a single vendor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.2 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 $15.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-03. End: 2027-12-03.

What specific technical services does 'BIG SAFARI' encompass, and why was competition deemed unnecessary?

The specific technical services under 'BIG SAFARI' are not detailed in the provided data. However, the sole-source award suggests a belief by the Department of the Air Force that only Sierra Nevada Company could provide these specialized or critical services, potentially due to proprietary technology, unique expertise, or urgent national security requirements that precluded a competitive process.

How will the Department of Defense ensure cost control and value for money with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract awarded sole-source?

Effective cost control will rely heavily on robust government oversight, detailed auditing of Sierra Nevada Company's expenses, and strict adherence to the fixed fee component. The Air Force must establish clear performance metrics and milestones, regularly review progress, and ensure that all costs incurred are reasonable, allocable, and necessary for the contract's objectives.

What is the potential long-term impact of relying on sole-source contracts for critical technical services?

Long-term reliance on sole-source contracts can stifle innovation by limiting exposure to new technologies and approaches from other vendors. It may also lead to vendor lock-in and consistently higher prices due to the absence of competitive pressure. This can reduce overall government efficiency and potentially compromise national security if alternative, more advanced solutions are overlooked.

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: 12500 BELFORD AVE, ENGLEWOOD, 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: $27,458,536

Exercised Options: $22,457,735

Current Obligation: $15,199,151

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 7

Total Subaward Amount: $569,553

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4009

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline