DoD's $24.7M GARDEM ISR C2 Contract Awarded to Parsons Government Services for R&D

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,775,534 ($24.8M)

Contractor: Parsons Government Services Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-12-01

End Date: 2026-04-01

Contract Duration: 852 days

Daily Burn Rate: $29.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: GARDEM ISR C2-SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PERFORM RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, ENGINEERING, PROTOTYPING, INTEGRATION, TESTING AND DEMONSTRATION OF TECHNOLOGIES AND CONCEPTS IN SUPPORT FOR GARDEM SOFTWARE BASELINES.

Place of Performance

Location: CENTREVILLE, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20120

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.8 million to PARSONS GOVERNMENT SERVICES INC. for work described as: GARDEM ISR C2-SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PERFORM RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, ENGINEERING, PROTOTYPING, INTEGRATION, TESTING AND DEMONSTRATION OF TECHNOLOGIES AND CONCEPTS IN SUPPORT FOR GARDEM SOFTWARE BASELINES. Key points: 1. This contract focuses on research and development for the GARDEM software baseline, aiming to advance ISR C2 capabilities. 2. Parsons Government Services Inc. secured the award, indicating their established presence and capabilities within the defense sector. 3. The contract's objective is to engineer, prototype, test, and demonstrate new technologies, suggesting a focus on innovation and future capabilities. 4. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, it allows for flexibility in research but requires careful oversight to manage costs effectively.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $24.7M for a 3-year R&D effort appears reasonable given the scope of custom computer programming services. Benchmarking against similar complex software development contracts would provide further context.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to yield fair pricing, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds invested in advanced defense technology.

Public Impact

Enhances Department of Defense intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance command and control capabilities. Supports technological advancement and innovation in critical defense software systems. Invests in future military readiness through cutting-edge research and development. Provides a platform for demonstrating and integrating new defense technologies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can incentivize contractor overspending if not closely monitored.
The duration of the contract (over 2.5 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure progress and adherence to objectives.
Reliance on a single awardee for critical R&D may pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.
Focus on R&D suggests investment in future technological superiority.
Clear objectives for research, development, and demonstration are outlined.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT and R&D sectors, specifically custom computer programming services. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority in defense, with significant government investment annually.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and was awarded to a large business (Parsons Government Services Inc.). There is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Air Force is responsible for oversight. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates diligent monitoring of costs and performance to ensure accountability and prevent cost overruns.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires vigilant oversight.
Long contract duration necessitates sustained monitoring.
Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
Dependence on a single large contractor for critical R&D.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.8 million to PARSONS GOVERNMENT SERVICES INC.. GARDEM ISR C2-SPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. THE OBJECTIVE IS TO PERFORM RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, ENGINEERING, PROTOTYPING, INTEGRATION, TESTING AND DEMONSTRATION OF TECHNOLOGIES AND CONCEPTS IN SUPPORT FOR GARDEM SOFTWARE BASELINES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PARSONS GOVERNMENT SERVICES 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 $24.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-01. End: 2026-04-01.

What specific technological advancements are expected from this GARDEM ISR C2 R&D effort, and how will they translate into tangible improvements in operational capabilities?

The specific advancements are not detailed in the provided data. However, the objective to 'perform research, development, engineering, prototyping, integration, testing and demonstration of technologies and concepts' suggests potential improvements in areas like real-time data processing, enhanced situational awareness, improved command and control interfaces, and more efficient integration of ISR assets. Tangible improvements would likely manifest as faster decision cycles, more accurate threat identification, and better coordination of military operations.

Given the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type, what mechanisms are in place to mitigate the risk of cost overruns and ensure efficient use of taxpayer funds?

CPFF contracts require robust government oversight. Mechanisms typically include detailed cost accounting standards, regular audits, performance reviews, and milestone-based payments. The government contracting officer must actively monitor expenditures against the estimated costs and ensure that the contractor's efforts are directed towards achieving the contract's objectives efficiently. Clear definition of the 'fixed fee' component also provides a ceiling on the contractor's profit.

How does this investment in GARDEM ISR C2 R&D align with broader strategic goals for modernizing the Department of Defense's information and command infrastructure?

This R&D effort directly supports the modernization of the DoD's information and command infrastructure by focusing on critical ISR C2 capabilities. Advancing software baselines and integrating new technologies are essential for maintaining a technological edge. Such investments are crucial for developing resilient, adaptable, and interoperable systems capable of meeting future security challenges and supporting data-driven decision-making across various operational environments.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › C – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: FA875024R0500

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Parsons Corporation

Address: 5875 TRINITY PKWY STE 230, CENTREVILLE, VA, 20120

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $29,111,933

Exercised Options: $28,016,703

Current Obligation: $24,775,534

Actual Outlays: $344,484

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA875019D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline