DoD's $6.37M AHSOAR contract to DCS Corp for R&D in advanced high-speed operations

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,373,870 ($6.4M)

Contractor: DCS Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-05-14

End Date: 2026-05-13

Contract Duration: 1,825 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ADVANCED HIGH SPEED OPERATIONS ANALYSIS & RESEARCH (AHSOAR)

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22310

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.4 million to DCS CORPORATION for work described as: ADVANCED HIGH SPEED OPERATIONS ANALYSIS & RESEARCH (AHSOAR) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to DCS Corporation for specialized R&D services. 2. Focus on advanced high-speed operations analysis and research. 3. Contract duration of 5 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process. 5. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 points to R&D in physical sciences and engineering. 7. The contract is a Delivery Order, suggesting it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's value of $6.37 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized R&D in advanced high-speed operations. Benchmarking against similar contracts for complex research and development in defense is challenging without more specific service details. However, the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, while offering flexibility, requires careful oversight to ensure cost efficiency and prevent scope creep. The fixed fee component provides some incentive for the contractor to manage costs effectively.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. This approach generally fosters a competitive environment, allowing the government to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified contractors. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a healthy level of competition was sought.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider selection of innovative solutions, maximizing the value for public funds.

Public Impact

The Department of the Air Force benefits from advanced research capabilities in high-speed operations. This contract supports the development of technologies and strategies for future aerospace applications. The research conducted could lead to enhanced national security and technological superiority. Workforce implications include specialized R&D roles for scientists and engineers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns inherent in Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts if not closely monitored.
The specialized nature of the R&D may limit the pool of truly competitive bidders in the future.
Defining clear deliverables and performance metrics for R&D can be challenging, impacting performance assessment.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and broad solicitation process.
The five-year duration indicates a sustained commitment to critical research areas.
The CPFF structure, with a fixed fee, provides some cost predictability for the government.
The contractor, DCS Corporation, likely possesses specialized expertise required for this advanced research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for advanced aerospace R&D is highly specialized, often dominated by a few key players with unique expertise. Spending in this area is critical for maintaining technological leadership in defense and aerospace industries. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the specific technological advancements sought, but R&D contracts of this duration and value are typical for significant defense research initiatives.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside requirement. The primary contractor, DCS Corporation, will likely manage the subcontracting opportunities based on its own needs and capabilities, rather than mandated set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract would typically involve the Department of the Air Force's contracting officers and program managers. They are responsible for monitoring costs, ensuring performance against contract requirements, and approving fee payments. The contract's fixed fee component provides a degree of accountability for the contractor's profit. Transparency would be enhanced through regular reporting requirements and potential audits by government agencies or Inspectors General, depending on the contract's specific terms and value thresholds.

Related Government Programs

Advanced Aerospace Research Programs
High-Speed Flight Dynamics Research
Department of Defense Research and Development Initiatives
Air Force Science and Technology Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (CPFF)
Scope Creep Potential
Long-term Relevance of R&D Findings
Contractor Performance Monitoring Over Extended Duration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.4 million to DCS CORPORATION. ADVANCED HIGH SPEED OPERATIONS ANALYSIS & RESEARCH (AHSOAR)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DCS CORPORATION.

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 $6.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-05-14. End: 2026-05-13.

What is DCS Corporation's track record with similar government R&D contracts?

DCS Corporation has a history of performing various research and development services for the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense. Their portfolio often includes work in areas such as systems engineering, advanced technologies, and scientific research. While specific details on past contracts directly comparable to 'advanced high-speed operations analysis and research' would require deeper analysis of their contract history, their designation as a recipient of this award suggests they possess the requisite expertise and past performance. Government contract databases and performance reports (like past performance questionnaires) would offer more granular insights into their success rates, adherence to schedules, and cost management on previous R&D endeavors.

How does the $6.37 million value compare to similar R&D contracts in advanced aerospace?

The $6.37 million value for a five-year R&D contract in advanced aerospace is moderate. Highly complex, cutting-edge research programs, especially those involving extensive hardware development or large-scale testing, can easily exceed tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Conversely, smaller, more focused analytical or simulation-based R&D efforts might fall below this threshold. This contract's value suggests a significant but not exceptionally large scope, likely focusing on specific aspects of high-speed operations analysis and research rather than a broad, multi-faceted development program. Benchmarking requires access to detailed contract data for comparable projects, considering factors like research scope, deliverables, and contractor overhead.

What are the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type?

The primary risk with a CPFF contract is the potential for cost overruns. While the contractor receives a fixed fee, the government bears the risk of all allowable costs incurred. If the contractor's costs exceed estimates, the government pays the actual costs plus the predetermined fixed fee. This can lead to the total contract cost being higher than initially anticipated. Effective risk mitigation requires robust government oversight, detailed cost tracking, clear definition of allowable costs, and strong program management to ensure the contractor operates efficiently and within reasonable cost parameters. Scope creep is another significant risk, where the project's objectives expand beyond the original intent, driving up costs.

How effective is the 'full and open competition' approach likely to be for this specialized R&D need?

The 'full and open competition' approach is generally the most effective method for ensuring broad market access and competitive pricing. For specialized R&D, its effectiveness depends on whether the market truly has multiple capable sources. If the field is highly niche, 'full and open' might still result in a limited number of bids, but it ensures that no potential high-quality provider is excluded upfront. The key benefit is the potential for innovation and cost savings derived from multiple companies vying for the contract. The Air Force's choice indicates they believe sufficient competition exists or that ensuring maximum access is paramount, even in specialized fields.

What are the potential performance implications of the 5-year duration?

A five-year duration for an R&D contract suggests a long-term strategic objective and the expectation of sustained effort and potentially evolving requirements. This extended timeline allows for deeper research, iterative development, and adaptation to new findings or technological shifts. However, it also introduces risks related to maintaining contractor focus, managing evolving requirements, and ensuring the research remains relevant over the contract's life. Performance management requires continuous engagement from the government to guide the research, assess progress, and ensure alignment with strategic goals. The extended period can be highly beneficial if the research area is complex and requires significant time for breakthroughs.

What does the NAICS code 541715 imply about the nature of the research funded?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715, 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology),' indicates that this contract funds scientific inquiry and experimentation aimed at discovering or interpreting facts, principles, or theories for application in engineering and the physical sciences. This could encompass a wide range of activities, from theoretical modeling and simulation to experimental validation in areas like aerodynamics, materials science, propulsion, or control systems relevant to high-speed operations. It excludes specific R&D in nanotechnology and biotechnology, focusing the contract's scope on more traditional engineering and physics-based research.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: BASIC RESEARCH

Solicitation ID: FA865020S2610

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6909 METRO PARK DR STE 500, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22310

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,715,500

Exercised Options: $6,715,500

Current Obligation: $6,373,870

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 4

Total Subaward Amount: $2,608,818

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA865021D2606

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline