Air Force awards $6.27M contract to The Provenance Chain Network Inc. for space pitch day services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,269,418 ($6.3M)

Contractor: THE Provenance Chain Network Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-08-19

End Date: 2026-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,685 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 36

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: THE PROVENANCE CHAIN NETWORK INC SPACE PITCH DAY

Place of Performance

Location: PORTLAND, WASHINGTON County, OREGON, 97224

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $6.3 million to THE PROVENANCE CHAIN NETWORK INC for work described as: THE PROVENANCE CHAIN NETWORK INC SPACE PITCH DAY Key points: 1. Contract value of $6.27M over 1685 days suggests a moderate investment in specialized services. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 3. The definitive contract type suggests a flexible agreement for services over a defined period. 4. The fixed-price nature of the contract helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The award to The Provenance Chain Network Inc. positions them as a key provider in this niche area. 6. The duration of the contract (1685 days) implies a need for sustained support or development.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $6.27M over approximately 4.6 years averages to about $1.36M annually. Benchmarking this against similar specialized technology development or event support contracts is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost control. The number of offers received (36) suggests a reasonable level of interest, which can be a proxy for competitive pricing, though direct price comparisons are not available.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that while the competition was open, specific sources may have been initially excluded before a broader solicitation. Thirty-six offers were received, suggesting a healthy level of interest and competition for this requirement. This broad participation is generally positive for price discovery and ensures a wider pool of potential contractors were considered.

Taxpayer Impact: The robust competition level is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down prices and ensured the government received competitive bids, maximizing the value for the allocated funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of the Air Force, which receives specialized support for its space pitch day event. The services delivered are related to 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' likely involving event management, technical consultation, and potentially innovation scouting. The geographic impact is centered around the Air Force's operational areas, though the specific location of service delivery is not detailed. Workforce implications may include opportunities for specialized technical and event management professionals employed by The Provenance Chain Network Inc. and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale behind initial exclusions.
Lack of detailed service descriptions makes it difficult to fully assess value for money and performance metrics.
The specific nature of 'space pitch day' services is not clearly defined, potentially leading to scope creep or misinterpretation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market solicitation.
Receipt of 36 offers suggests significant contractor interest and a competitive marketplace.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is with The Provenance Chain Network Inc., a company potentially specializing in this niche area.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to event support and innovation programs within the aerospace and defense industry. The market for such specialized services is driven by government needs for technology scouting, industry engagement, and program development. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific services provided during the 'space pitch day.' However, the overall federal spending on professional services for defense agencies is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside criterion for this award. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this specific contract appears limited, unless The Provenance Chain Network Inc. voluntarily engages small businesses in its supply chain.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of contract awards, though detailed performance reports are usually internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) initiatives
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) programs
Space Force technology acquisition efforts
Federal contracting for event management services
Professional services for scientific and technical support

Risk Flags

Competition Type Ambiguity
Lack of Detailed Service Scope
Unclear Performance Metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $6.3 million to THE PROVENANCE CHAIN NETWORK INC. THE PROVENANCE CHAIN NETWORK INC SPACE PITCH DAY

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE PROVENANCE CHAIN NETWORK 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 $6.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-19. End: 2026-03-31.

What is the specific nature of the 'space pitch day' services provided under this contract?

The provided data classifies the contract under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) and notes the description as 'THE PROVENANCE CHAIN NETWORK INC SPACE PITCH DAY.' This suggests the contract likely supports an event where companies or individuals pitch innovative space-related technologies or ideas to the Department of the Air Force. Services could encompass event planning, logistics, technical evaluation support, marketing, and facilitating connections between innovators and Air Force program managers. Without more detailed documentation, the exact scope of work remains generalized.

How does the $6.27M contract value compare to similar Air Force innovation event contracts?

Direct comparison of the $6.27M contract value to similar Air Force innovation event contracts is challenging due to the unique nature of 'space pitch day' and the limited public data on specific event budgets. However, federal spending on professional and technical services for defense innovation initiatives can range from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scale, duration, and scope of the event or program. The value here appears moderate for a multi-year contract supporting a specialized event, especially considering the firm-fixed-price structure which aims for cost efficiency.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from The Provenance Chain Network Inc.?

The provided contract abstract does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables. Typically, for an event support contract like this, KPIs might include the number of pitches successfully facilitated, the quality of technical assessments provided, participant satisfaction, adherence to budget, and timely execution of event milestones. Deliverables would likely include event plans, post-event reports, and potentially summaries of promising technologies identified during the pitch day. These would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

What is the track record of The Provenance Chain Network Inc. with federal contracts, particularly in event management or defense innovation?

The provided data indicates this is a definitive contract awarded to THE PROVENANCE CHAIN NETWORK INC. Further research into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain the company's full track record, including past performance on similar contracts, total contract values awarded, and performance ratings. Without this additional context, it's difficult to assess their specific expertise and reliability in managing defense innovation events or similar services.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include the contractor's ability to deliver specialized services effectively, potential cost overruns if the fixed-price contract doesn't adequately cover all eventualities (though less likely than cost-plus), and the risk that the 'space pitch day' may not yield desired innovation outcomes. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the government, clear definition of requirements in the SOW, performance monitoring, and potentially requiring contractor bonding or insurance. The competitive award process itself helps mitigate risks by selecting a potentially capable contractor.

How does this contract align with broader Air Force or Department of Defense innovation strategies?

This contract aligns with the broader DoD and Air Force strategies to foster innovation, identify emerging technologies, and engage with the private sector and startup communities. 'Pitch days' are a common mechanism used by various defense agencies to scout for dual-use technologies that can provide a capability advantage. By investing in such events, the Air Force aims to accelerate the adoption of new technologies and maintain its technological superiority in the space domain, which is increasingly critical for national security.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 36

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 14945 SW SEQUOIA PKWAY, PORTLAND, OR, 97224

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,269,418

Exercised Options: $6,269,418

Current Obligation: $6,269,418

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline