Air Force Spends $24.8M on Geospatial System, Awarded Sole-Source to Solutions71, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,848,130 ($24.8M)

Contractor: Solutions71, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-09-01

End Date: 2024-08-31

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.6K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: AIR FORCE GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (AFGIMS)

Place of Performance

Location: LEESBURG, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20176

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $24.8 million to SOLUTIONS71, LLC for work described as: AIR FORCE GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (AFGIMS) Key points: 1. Significant investment in a critical geospatial information management system. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Contract duration of 5 years suggests a long-term need for the service. 4. Focus on computer systems design services indicates a technology-intensive requirement.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $24.8 million over five years averages to approximately $4.97 million annually. Without comparable contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, assessing the pricing against similar services is challenging. Benchmarking against industry standards for geospatial information management systems is recommended.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in higher costs compared to a competitive environment. The rationale for the sole-source award needs further examination to ensure it was justified.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The lack of competition could lead to overspending, impacting the overall value for taxpayers.

Public Impact

Ensures the Air Force has access to vital geospatial data for operations and planning. Supports military readiness and decision-making through accurate information management. Potential for increased costs due to sole-source award impacts taxpayer value.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for cost overruns
Limited transparency in pricing

Positive Signals

Supports critical Air Force operations
Long-term contract provides stability

Sector Analysis

The Department of the Air Force's spending on computer systems design services, like the AFGIMS, falls within the broader IT sector. Annual spending on such services can vary widely, but significant investments are common for specialized systems supporting national security.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Solutions71, LLC, a single entity. There is no indication of subcontracting to small businesses, which could represent a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery. Regular performance reviews and justification for continued sole-source status are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of Defense Contracting
Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits competition.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
Limited transparency on pricing justification.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $24.8 million to SOLUTIONS71, LLC. AIR FORCE GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (AFGIMS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOLUTIONS71, LLC.

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: 2019-09-01. End: 2024-08-31.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive strategies considered?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of viable alternatives. Without specific details on the AFGIMS contract, it's difficult to ascertain the exact reasons. However, agencies must demonstrate that competition was not feasible or would be detrimental to the government's interests. Exploring if a limited competition or other approaches were viable is essential for ensuring the best value.

How does the cost of this sole-source contract compare to similar geospatial information management systems procured competitively?

Direct comparison is difficult without access to pricing data for comparable competitive contracts. However, sole-source contracts are generally expected to be more expensive due to the absence of market pressure. A thorough cost analysis, potentially involving independent government cost estimates or benchmarking against publicly available data for similar systems, would be necessary to assess cost-effectiveness.

What performance metrics are in place to ensure the effectiveness and value of the AFGIMS, especially given the sole-source award?

Effective oversight requires clearly defined performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the contract's objectives. These should measure system uptime, data accuracy, user satisfaction, and responsiveness to Air Force requirements. Regular performance reviews should assess adherence to these metrics, ensuring the contractor is delivering the expected value and that the system remains effective for its intended purpose.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 46020 MANEKIN PLZ STE 130, DULLES, VA, 20166

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,848,130

Exercised Options: $24,848,130

Current Obligation: $24,848,130

Actual Outlays: $14,522,059

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $75,149

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline