DoD's $44M R&D Contract for SOF ISR Support Awarded to Odyssey Systems
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $44,283,180 ($44.3M)
Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.
Awarding Agency: Department of Defense
Start Date: 2017-04-29
End Date: 2020-09-01
Contract Duration: 1,221 days
Daily Burn Rate: $36.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 16
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: IGF::CL::IGF SCAT I ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS) ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICE (A&AS) SUPPORT FOR THE ISR DIRECTORATE - SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES AND PERSONNEL RECOVERY DIVISION (WIS-SOF)
Place of Performance
Location: WAKEFIELD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01880
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Defense obligated $44.3 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: IGF::CL::IGF SCAT I ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS) ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICE (A&AS) SUPPORT FOR THE ISR DIRECTORATE - SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES AND PERSONNEL RECOVERY DIVISION (WIS-SOF) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized R&D support to Special Operations Forces ISR Directorate. 2. Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. is the prime contractor. 3. The contract falls under the EPASS Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) vehicle. 4. Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences is the primary NAICS code.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not carefully managed. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more granular cost data.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources, suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not always yield the most competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for specialized R&D support, with the effectiveness of competition impacting the overall value for money.
Public Impact
Supports critical Special Operations Forces intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Enhances personnel recovery operations through advanced research and development. Contract duration of over three years indicates a significant, ongoing need for these services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may impact price efficiency.
- CPFF contract type carries inherent cost overrun risk.
- Lack of small business participation.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical national security functions.
- Awarded under a broad IDIQ vehicle (EPASS).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, indicating a missed opportunity to support small business growth within the defense R&D sector.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger IDIQ. Oversight would typically be managed by the Air Force contracting office responsible for the EPASS vehicle.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Department of Defense Contracting
- Department of the Air Force Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to CPFF structure.
- Limited competition may not have yielded best value.
- Lack of small business participation.
- NAICS code suggests R&D, requiring specialized oversight.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, ma, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Defense awarded $44.3 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. IGF::CL::IGF SCAT I ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS) ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE SERVICE (A&AS) SUPPORT FOR THE ISR DIRECTORATE - SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES AND PERSONNEL RECOVERY DIVISION (WIS-SOF)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD..
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 $44.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-04-29. End: 2020-09-01.
What specific R&D advancements were achieved under this contract, and how do they directly benefit SOF operations?
The contract aimed to provide advisory and assistance services for R&D within the ISR Directorate. Specific advancements would likely include improved data analysis techniques, enhanced sensor integration, or novel surveillance methodologies tailored for Special Operations Forces. The direct benefit lies in providing SOF with more effective intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, ultimately improving mission success and personnel safety during complex operations.
Given the CPFF structure and limited competition, what measures were in place to mitigate cost overruns and ensure fair pricing?
While CPFF contracts inherently carry risk, mitigation strategies would typically involve robust government oversight, detailed cost tracking, and performance metrics. The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause suggests specific justifications were made for limiting competition. Fair pricing would be assessed through comparison with similar contracts and negotiation of fixed fee levels based on anticipated effort and risk, though the limited competition might have reduced negotiating leverage.
How effectively did the EPASS A&AS vehicle facilitate the acquisition of these specialized R&D services for the ISR Directorate?
The EPASS A&AS vehicle likely provided a pre-vetted pool of contractors and established terms, streamlining the acquisition process for specialized R&D support. Its effectiveness hinges on whether it truly enabled access to the best-qualified vendors and competitive pricing. The limited competition aspect, however, raises questions about whether the vehicle's full potential for price discovery was realized in this specific instance.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 16
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 201 EDGEWATER DR STE 270, WAKEFIELD, MA, 01880
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $75,943,987
Exercised Options: $47,777,289
Current Obligation: $44,283,180
Actual Outlays: $1,972,571
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS723
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-04-29
Current End Date: 2020-09-01
Potential End Date: 2020-09-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2023-11-08
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