DoD's $207.6M EPASS Contract Awarded to Odyssey Systems Consulting Group for R&D Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $207,624,406 ($207.6M)

Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-07-18

End Date: 2024-07-17

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $568.8K/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: ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS) FOR HB DIRECTORATE

Place of Performance

Location: WAKEFIELD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01880

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $207.6 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS) FOR HB DIRECTORATE Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Engineering, Professional, and Administrative Support Services (EPASS). 2. Primary focus is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 3. Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd. is the awardee. 4. The contract has a duration of 365 days. 5. This award falls under the 'Research and Development' sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount of $207.6M for a 365-day duration suggests a significant scope of work.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process but with specific exclusions. This method aims for fair pricing but the exclusions could limit the pool of bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for critical R&D support services, with the aim of achieving value through a competitive award process.

Public Impact

Supports the Air Force's research and development initiatives. Provides essential engineering, professional, and administrative services. Potential for advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Contract duration of one year allows for focused project execution.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize contractor to increase costs.
Exclusion of sources in competition may limit price discovery.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports critical R&D functions for the Air Force.
Experienced contractor likely to deliver required services.

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 and national security, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and complexity.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a stated factor in this award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made by the Department of the Air Force, suggesting internal oversight mechanisms are in place. However, the specific oversight for this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract and its adherence to R&D objectives requires further investigation.

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

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Potential for limited competition due to source exclusions.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in public data.
Significant contract value requires robust oversight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $207.6 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. ENGINEERING, PROFESSIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES (EPASS) FOR HB DIRECTORATE

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 $207.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-18. End: 2024-07-17.

What specific R&D projects will this contract support, and how will their success be measured?

The provided data does not specify the exact R&D projects. Success measurement would typically involve key performance indicators (KPIs) related to research milestones, technological advancements, and timely delivery of reports or prototypes. A review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) and performance metrics would be necessary to assess effectiveness.

What is the potential risk of cost overruns with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract?

CPFF contracts carry inherent risks of cost overruns as the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fixed fee. Effective oversight, stringent cost controls, and clear definition of work are crucial to mitigate this risk. Without detailed cost tracking and performance monitoring, the potential for exceeding the estimated $207.6M remains a concern.

How does the 'exclusion of sources' in the competition impact the overall value for taxpayers?

Excluding sources, even after an initial full and open competition, can limit the competitive landscape and potentially lead to higher prices than if all potential bidders were considered. While it may streamline the process or ensure specific expertise, it warrants scrutiny to ensure the government is still achieving the best possible value and that the exclusions were justified.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT 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: $1,629,932,727

Exercised Options: $263,777,046

Current Obligation: $207,624,406

Actual Outlays: $295,934

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