DoD's BIG SAFARI contract awards $54.9M to Sierra Nevada Company for technical services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $54,883,804 ($54.9M)
Contractor: Sierra Nevada Company, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2024-09-29
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 731 days
Daily Burn Rate: $75.1K/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: CENTENNIAL, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80112
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $54.9 million to SIERRA NEVADA COMPANY, LLC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract value of $54.9M for professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. Sole-source award to Sierra Nevada Company, LLC. 3. Potential risk associated with non-competitive procurement. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, indicating a lack of full and open competition. This method limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in the government paying more than necessary for these services, impacting taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Taxpayers may be overpaying due to the sole-source nature of the award. Lack of transparency in the procurement process raises accountability concerns. Potential for reduced innovation and service quality without competitive pressure.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
- Lack of competition
Positive Signals
- Specific vendor selected for technical services
- Defined contract duration
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the broad category of professional, scientific, and technical services. Spending in this sector can vary widely, but competitive bidding is generally expected to ensure value for money.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate any specific provisions or considerations for small businesses in this sole-source award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is delivering services efficiently and at a fair price, despite the lack of competition.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee can lead to cost overruns.
- Lack of transparency in procurement justification.
- Potential for reduced value due to non-competitive pricing.
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 $54.9 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 $54.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-29. End: 2026-09-30.
What specific technical services are being procured under BIG SAFARI, and how do they align with the Air Force's mission requirements?
The specific technical services procured under BIG SAFARI are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code (541990), it likely encompasses a range of specialized support. Understanding the precise nature of these services is crucial to assessing their alignment with the Department of the Air Force's strategic objectives and ensuring the value derived from this significant investment.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The justification for the sole-source award is not provided. Typically, sole-source procurements require a strong rationale, such as unique capabilities or urgent needs. Without this justification, it is difficult to assess the necessity of foregoing competition. Furthermore, ensuring fair and reasonable pricing in such cases relies heavily on the government's negotiation and cost analysis capabilities, which are not detailed here.
How will the effectiveness and value of the services provided by Sierra Nevada Company be measured and evaluated throughout the contract period?
The provided data does not specify the metrics or processes for evaluating the effectiveness and value of the services. For a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, especially one awarded sole-source, robust performance monitoring and evaluation are critical. The Department of the Air Force should have clear performance standards and regular reviews to ensure Sierra Nevada Company is meeting objectives and providing good value for the taxpayer's 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: 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: $66,566,476
Exercised Options: $66,566,476
Current Obligation: $54,883,804
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 19
Total Subaward Amount: $6,797,725
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: FA862021G4009
IDV Type: BOA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-29
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-18
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