DoD's $8.76M engineering services contract awarded to Resonant Sciences LLC, a sole-source delivery order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,759,129 ($8.8M)

Contractor: Resonant Sciences LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-09-13

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 747 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: BIG SAFARI

Place of Performance

Location: BEAVERCREEK, GREENE County, OHIO, 45430

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $8.8 million to RESONANT SCIENCES LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating defined costs and risks. 2. The contract duration of 747 days suggests a significant, ongoing need for engineering services. 3. Awarded as a sole-source delivery order, raising questions about competition and potential cost efficiencies. 4. The engineering services sector is critical for defense readiness and technological advancement. 5. Performance is expected in Ohio, implying a localized impact on the regional economy and workforce. 6. The absence of small business set-aside suggests larger prime contractors or direct federal performance.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this $8.76 million contract is challenging without specific service details or comparable contract data. However, the sole-source nature of the award warrants scrutiny regarding price reasonableness. Typically, competitive bidding drives down costs and ensures better value for taxpayer dollars. Without a competitive process, it's difficult to ascertain if Resonant Sciences LLC's pricing reflects market rates or if there's an opportunity for cost savings through competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a sole-source delivery order, meaning only one vendor, Resonant Sciences LLC, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process. While sole-source awards can be justified under specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent needs), they limit price discovery and can potentially lead to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract. The lack of multiple bidders means the government did not benefit from the competitive pressure that typically encourages lower pricing and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source award means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these engineering services, as competition was not leveraged to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force benefits from specialized engineering services to support its operations. The contract is expected to deliver critical engineering support, potentially impacting defense readiness. Services are to be performed in Ohio, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in the state. The duration of the contract suggests a sustained need for these engineering capabilities within the Air Force.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source procurement.
Limited insight into the specific engineering services provided and their direct impact on mission success.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Award to a specific company suggests a recognized capability or need.
Longer contract duration indicates a sustained requirement and potential for stable support.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services are a vital component of the defense sector, encompassing design, development, testing, and maintenance of complex systems. The market for defense engineering services is substantial, driven by the continuous need for technological superiority and platform sustainment. This contract likely fits within the broader category of specialized technical support for Air Force systems, where unique expertise is often required. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within other firm-fixed-price, sole-source, or limited-competition engineering service contracts awarded by the DoD.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a sole-source award, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were a primary consideration in the procurement strategy. This means the direct economic impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract may be minimal, unless Resonant Sciences LLC voluntarily engages small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Air Force's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price structure, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon cost. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award; justifications for such awards are typically documented but not always publicly detailed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Defense Engineering Services
Air Force Logistics and Sustainment Contracts
Sole-Source Procurements
Firm-Fixed-Price Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may indicate limited market competition.
Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
Potential for higher costs due to absence of competitive bidding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $8.8 million to RESONANT SCIENCES LLC. BIG SAFARI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESONANT SCIENCES 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 $8.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-13. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific engineering services are being procured under this contract, and how do they align with the Air Force's strategic objectives?

The provided data identifies the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code as 541330 for Engineering Services. However, it does not detail the specific nature of these services. These could range from research and development support, system design and integration, testing and evaluation, to maintenance and lifecycle support for various Air Force platforms or technologies. To understand their strategic alignment, one would need to examine the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and relate it to current Air Force modernization priorities, operational requirements, or specific program needs. Without the SOW, the exact contribution to strategic objectives remains speculative.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis instead of through full and open competition?

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services. Common justifications include unique technical capabilities, proprietary technology, urgent and compelling needs where competition is impractical, or when a specific contractor is the only source for essential support for existing systems. For this contract, the Department of the Air Force would have had to document a specific rationale, such as Resonant Sciences LLC possessing unique expertise, intellectual property, or a critical role in supporting a particular Air Force system that cannot be replicated by other firms. This justification is usually reviewed and approved by higher authorities within the contracting agency.

How does the $8.76 million contract value compare to similar engineering services contracts awarded by the Department of Defense?

Comparing the $8.76 million value requires context regarding the scope and duration of services. For firm-fixed-price engineering services, contract values can vary significantly. A 747-day contract (approximately two years) at this value suggests a moderate-sized engagement. Larger, more complex engineering efforts, especially those involving R&D or major system integration, can run into hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, more specialized tasks might be in the low millions. To provide a precise benchmark, one would need to analyze recent DoD contracts with similar NAICS codes (541330), contract types (FFP), and durations, while also considering the specific agency and the nature of the engineering work performed.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for engineering services, particularly concerning cost and performance?

The primary risk of a sole-source award is the lack of competitive pressure, which can lead to inflated pricing and reduced incentive for the contractor to optimize performance or innovate. Without competing bids, the government may pay more than necessary. Performance risks include potential complacency from the contractor, knowing they are the only option. However, the firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type mitigates some performance risk by obligating the contractor to deliver the defined scope within the agreed price. If performance issues arise, the government's recourse would be through contract clauses related to default or termination, but the process of finding an alternative provider would be complex and costly due to the sole-source nature.

What is Resonant Sciences LLC's track record with the federal government, particularly with the Department of Defense?

Information on Resonant Sciences LLC's track record with the federal government, specifically the Department of Defense, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their past contract awards, performance ratings (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or contract modifications. Understanding their past performance, especially on similar engineering services contracts, is crucial for evaluating the reliability and effectiveness of this current sole-source award.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering 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: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3975 RESEARCH BLVD, BEAVERCREEK, OH, 45430

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,759,129

Exercised Options: $8,759,129

Current Obligation: $8,759,129

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862023G4035

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline