Dod's $19.6M 'BIG Safari' Contract Awarded to Calvert Systems Engineering, Inc. for Technical Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,583,768 ($19.6M)

Contractor: Calvert Systems Engineering, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2025-04-01

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $53.8K/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: BELLEVUE, SARPY County, NEBRASKA, 68123

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $19.6 million to CALVERT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC for work described as: BIG SAFARI Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized technical services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market competition. 3. Performance period of one year suggests a focused scope of work. 4. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code indicates broad applicability. 5. This contract falls under the Department of the Air Force's purview within the DoD. 6. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to provide cost certainty.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific deliverables. However, the $19.6 million award for a one-year period for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' appears substantial. Given the sole-source nature, it's difficult to assess if competitive pricing was achieved. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services rendered and comparing them to industry standards for similar specialized technical support within the defense sector.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances necessitate a rapid award. The lack of competition means that price discovery through a bidding process was bypassed, potentially leading to higher costs for the government compared to a fully competed contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible value due to the absence of competitive bidding, which usually drives down prices and encourages innovation.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force benefits from specialized technical expertise. Services delivered likely support critical mission requirements within the 'BIG SAFARI' program. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around Air Force installations or operational areas. Workforce implications may involve highly skilled technical professionals employed by the contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
Sole-source awards can limit opportunities for other capable firms.
Transparency regarding the justification for sole-source award could be enhanced.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
Award to an established entity suggests potential for reliable service delivery.
Contract supports a specific, likely critical, program ('BIG SAFARI').

Sector Analysis

The 'BIG SAFARI' contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector, which is a significant component of federal spending. This sector encompasses a wide range of activities, from research and development to specialized engineering and IT support. The Department of Defense is a major consumer of these services, often seeking highly specialized expertise to support complex weapon systems and operational requirements. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other sole-source or competed contracts for similar technical services within the defense industry.

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 during the solicitation phase. This contract does not appear to directly contribute to the small business ecosystem through set-aside goals.

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 specific services within a set budget. Transparency regarding the justification for the sole-source award and the specific deliverables would be crucial for public assessment, though detailed information may be limited due to the nature of the award.

Related Government Programs

BIG SAFARI Program
Department of Defense Technical Services
Air Force Professional Services
Sole-Source IT and Technical Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
Limited transparency on specific service details.
No small business set-aside identified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $19.6 million to CALVERT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC. BIG SAFARI

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CALVERT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.

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 $19.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-01. End: 2026-03-31.

What specific technical services are being provided under the 'BIG SAFARI' contract?

The provided data indicates the NAICS code is 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This broad classification suggests the services could encompass a wide array of specialized support, potentially including systems engineering, technical consulting, research analysis, or program management support. Without further details specific to the 'BIG SAFARI' program, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact nature of the services. However, given the Department of Defense context and the program name, it likely relates to advanced technology development, acquisition, or sustainment for the Air Force.

How does the $19.6 million contract value compare to similar sole-source technical service contracts within the DoD?

Comparing this $19.6 million contract value to similar sole-source technical service contracts within the DoD requires access to a broader dataset of federal procurements. However, for a one-year duration, this amount is substantial and suggests a high level of specialized expertise or significant scope of work is required. Sole-source awards, by their nature, bypass competitive pressures that typically moderate pricing. Therefore, without a competitive benchmark, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents optimal value. Analysis of other sole-source awards for comparable services, if available, would be necessary for a more robust comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award of this magnitude include potential overpayment due to the lack of competitive pricing, reduced incentive for the contractor to innovate or become more efficient, and limited opportunities for other qualified businesses to participate. There's also a risk that the government may not be aware of or able to access superior solutions offered by non-incumbent contractors. Furthermore, the justification for the sole-source award needs to be robust to ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations and serves the best interests of the government and taxpayers.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'BIG SAFARI' or similar technical services by the Department of the Air Force?

Historical spending patterns for 'BIG SAFARI' or similar technical services by the Department of the Air Force are not detailed in the provided data. To assess this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for past contracts awarded under the 'BIG SAFARI' program or for similar NAICS codes (e.g., 541990) by the Air Force. Analyzing historical data would reveal trends in contract values, duration, competition levels, and the contractors frequently awarded such services. This context is crucial for understanding if the current $19.6 million award is an anomaly or part of a consistent spending trend.

What is the track record of CALVERT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC. in performing similar government contracts?

The provided data identifies CALVERT SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC. as the contractor but does not offer details on their track record. A comprehensive assessment would require examining their past performance on federal contracts, including contract values, types of services rendered, past performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract disputes or awards. Federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems are typically used to gather this information. A strong track record of successful past performance is a key indicator of a contractor's ability to meet current contract requirements effectively.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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: 3906 RAYNOR PKWY STE 100, BELLEVUE, NE, 68123

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,701,752

Exercised Options: $19,701,752

Current Obligation: $19,583,768

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA862024G4009

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline