DoD's Air Force awards $114.5M contract for R&D support to Odyssey Systems Consulting Group

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $114,535,976 ($114.5M)

Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-12-29

End Date: 2029-12-19

Contract Duration: 1,816 days

Daily Burn Rate: $63.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SCAT 1 ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WAKEFIELD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01880

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $114.5 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: SCAT 1 ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. for $114.5M. 2. The contract falls under NAICS code 541712 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences). 3. Awarded by the Department of the Air Force, a component of the DoD. 4. Contract duration is 1816 days, ending December 19, 2029. 5. Procurement type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking CPFF contracts for similar R&D services is difficult without more granular data on scope and performance.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES', indicating a limited competition. This method may not yield the most competitive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The limited competition and CPFF structure warrant scrutiny to ensure value for money.

Public Impact

Supports research and development efforts within the Air Force. Potential for advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Contract duration extends over several years, indicating a long-term need. Funds allocated to a single contractor, Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about price competitiveness.
CPFF contract type can incentivize cost increases.
Lack of detailed scope for R&D services makes value assessment challenging.

Positive Signals

Supports critical R&D functions for the Air Force.
Contract awarded to a specific entity, implying a focused selection process.
Clear end date provides a defined project timeline.

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 efficient use of funds.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not primary participants in this specific procurement, potentially missing out on opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

The award is a Delivery Order under a larger contract vehicle. Oversight will be critical to monitor the CPFF expenditures and ensure the R&D objectives are met efficiently and effectively by Odyssey Systems Consulting Group.

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

Limited competition may result in higher costs.
Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure carries inherent cost overrun risk.
Lack of specific R&D objectives makes value assessment difficult.
No indication of small business participation.
Contract duration is lengthy, requiring sustained oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $114.5 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. SCAT 1 ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $114.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-12-29. End: 2029-12-19.

How does the pricing structure of this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract compare to similar R&D service contracts awarded under full and open competition?

Assessing the pricing of this CPFF contract against benchmarks is challenging without detailed scope and performance metrics. CPFF contracts inherently carry a higher risk of cost escalation compared to fixed-price contracts. A thorough review of the contractor's cost proposals and the agency's cost realism analysis would be necessary to determine if the fixed fee is reasonable and if the overall cost structure provides good value relative to the expected R&D outcomes.

What are the specific R&D objectives and expected outcomes for this $114.5M contract, and how will their achievement be measured?

The provided data lacks specific details on the R&D objectives and measurable outcomes. The NAICS code 541712 indicates broad R&D activities. Effective oversight requires clearly defined milestones, deliverables, and performance metrics to ensure the contractor is progressing towards the intended scientific and technological advancements and that taxpayer funds are being utilized effectively towards these goals.

Given the limited competition ('FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'), what steps were taken to ensure the selected contractor, Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, offered the best valu

The procurement method suggests that only certain sources were considered eligible after an initial exclusion. To ensure best value, the Air Force should have conducted a thorough evaluation of technical approach, past performance, and price. The justification for excluding other potential sources and the process for price discovery under the CPFF structure are critical for accountability and demonstrating that competitive principles were upheld to the extent possible.

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: 3

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: $603,033,474

Exercised Options: $178,347,879

Current Obligation: $114,535,976

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 5

Total Subaward Amount: $7,809,749

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