Air Force Awards $6.15M for XPRO Ground Systems Maintenance to Science Applications International Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,152,371 ($6.2M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2024-05-17

End Date: 2026-02-02

Contract Duration: 626 days

Daily Burn Rate: $9.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: TO MAINTAIN THE XPRO GROUND SYSTEMS BASELINE ARCHITECTURE TO ALLOW FOR THE GROWTH OF THE SYSTEM, ADDITION OF MISSIONS, AND GENERAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

Place of Performance

Location: RESTON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20190

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.2 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: TO MAINTAIN THE XPRO GROUND SYSTEMS BASELINE ARCHITECTURE TO ALLOW FOR THE GROWTH OF THE SYSTEM, ADDITION OF MISSIONS, AND GENERAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on maintaining and enhancing the XPRO Ground Systems architecture for future growth and sustainability. 2. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is the contractor, with the Department of the Air Force as the agency. 3. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, excluding Nanotechnology and Biotechnology. 4. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $6.15 million for a period of approximately 2 years appears reasonable for R&D system maintenance. Benchmarking against similar complex system sustainment contracts would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for soliciting bids and ensuring fair pricing. This method typically leads to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield a fair price, maximizing taxpayer value for essential R&D infrastructure maintenance.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operational capability of critical ground systems for Air Force missions. Supports technological advancement and system adaptability for future mission requirements. Maintains the integrity and sustainability of existing infrastructure, preventing costly replacements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Potential for scope creep in R&D projects.
  • Reliance on a single contractor for critical system maintenance.

Positive Signals

  • Clear objective for system sustainability and growth.
  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Focus on maintaining existing, proven infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for maintaining technological superiority and innovation within the Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a delivery order under a larger award, suggesting existing oversight mechanisms. The Department of the Air Force is responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring adherence to contract terms.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Department of the Air Force Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns in R&D.
  • Dependency on contractor's expertise for system evolution.
  • Ensuring long-term adaptability beyond the current architecture.
  • Cybersecurity risks associated with maintaining critical ground systems.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 1m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.2 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. TO MAINTAIN THE XPRO GROUND SYSTEMS BASELINE ARCHITECTURE TO ALLOW FOR THE GROWTH OF THE SYSTEM, ADDITION OF MISSIONS, AND GENERAL SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL 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 $6.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-05-17. End: 2026-02-02.

What specific metrics will be used to measure the 'growth' and 'sustainability' of the XPRO Ground Systems baseline architecture?

The contract should ideally define specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to system uptime, scalability, processing capacity, and security posture. These metrics would provide objective measures for evaluating the contractor's success in achieving the stated goals of growth and sustainability, ensuring the system can adapt to new missions and maintain operational readiness.

What is the risk of vendor lock-in given the focus on maintaining a specific baseline architecture?

There is a moderate risk of vendor lock-in, as SAIC is responsible for maintaining the existing architecture. This could make future transitions to new systems or technologies more complex and costly. The contract should include provisions for knowledge transfer and documentation to mitigate this risk and ensure future flexibility.

How does the 'Cost Plus Fixed Fee' (CPFF) pricing structure align with the R&D nature of this contract to ensure cost-effectiveness?

A CPFF structure is common for R&D where the scope may evolve. It allows for flexibility but requires diligent oversight to control costs. The fixed fee provides an incentive for the contractor to manage costs efficiently. The government's ability to effectively monitor and control allowable costs is critical to ensuring value under this pricing model.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTC – National Defense R&D Services

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 12010 SUNSET HILLS RD, RESTON, VA, 20190

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,890,946

Exercised Options: $14,655,460

Current Obligation: $6,152,371

Actual Outlays: $826,448

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: FA881820D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2024-05-17

Current End Date: 2026-02-02

Potential End Date: 2027-07-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-01-13

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