Odyssey Systems Consulting Group awarded $151.6M for Space Domain Awareness Support, replacing a prior GSA task order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $151,647,810 ($151.6M)

Contractor: Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, Ltd.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2022-05-10

End Date: 2026-05-09

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $103.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS SUPPORT SERVICES TASK ORDER FA882322F0008, WHICH REPLACES GOVERNMENT SERVICES AGENCY TASK ORDER 47QFRA22F0008

Place of Performance

Location: WAKEFIELD, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01880

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $151.6 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD. for work described as: SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS SUPPORT SERVICES TASK ORDER FA882322F0008, WHICH REPLACES GOVERNMENT SERVICES AGENCY TASK ORDER 47QFRA22F0008 Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in critical space domain awareness capabilities. 2. The award follows a full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. Performance period of four years indicates a long-term need for these specialized services. 4. The contract type (Time and Materials) may pose cost control challenges if not managed diligently. 5. This award is a key component of the Air Force's broader space defense strategy. 6. The contractor, Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, has a track record in defense contracting. 7. The shift from a GSA task order to a direct Air Force award may streamline processes.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $151.6 million over four years for Space Domain Awareness Support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the services. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts in the defense sector suggests this pricing is within expected ranges. The Time and Materials contract type, while offering flexibility, necessitates close monitoring to ensure value for money and prevent cost overruns. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple qualified vendors were allowed to bid. The presence of three bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more innovative solutions as contractors vie for the award.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it likely drove down costs through competitive bidding, ensuring the government receives the best possible value for its investment in space domain awareness.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Air Force and the broader U.S. Space Force, enhancing their ability to monitor and understand activities in space. Services delivered include critical research and development in physical and engineering sciences related to space domain awareness. The geographic impact is national, supporting U.S. space superiority and national security interests. Workforce implications include the potential for highly skilled jobs in R&D and specialized technical fields within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed and monitored.
The complexity of space domain awareness requires continuous adaptation, posing a risk of scope creep or evolving requirements.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support services could create dependency and limit future flexibility.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive environment that should drive value.
The contractor, Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, has experience in defense contracting, suggesting familiarity with requirements.
The contract duration of four years allows for sustained focus and development of critical capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The Space Domain Awareness (SDA) sector is a rapidly growing and critical area within the broader defense and aerospace industries. It involves the tracking, identification, and characterization of objects and activities in Earth's orbit and beyond. This contract fits within the Research and Development (R&D) segment of the defense sector, specifically focusing on advanced technologies and analytical support for SDA. Comparable spending benchmarks in this niche area are difficult to pinpoint due to its specialized nature, but significant government investment is being directed towards enhancing space situational awareness capabilities.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and the prime contractor, Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, is not identified as a small business. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or immediate benefits to the small business ecosystem from this specific award. However, the prime contractor may engage small businesses as subcontractors for specialized support, which would be detailed in their subcontracting plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, although detailed operational specifics are typically classified. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Space Surveillance Network
National Security Space Launch
Space Control Systems
Missile Defense Agency Research
Advanced Technology Development Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Complexity of R&D may lead to scope creep.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $151.6 million to ODYSSEY SYSTEMS CONSULTING GROUP, LTD.. SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS SUPPORT SERVICES TASK ORDER FA882322F0008, WHICH REPLACES GOVERNMENT SERVICES AGENCY TASK ORDER 47QFRA22F0008

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 $151.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-05-10. End: 2026-05-09.

What is Odyssey Systems Consulting Group's track record with similar government contracts, particularly in space domain awareness or R&D?

Odyssey Systems Consulting Group has a history of securing and performing on various defense contracts. While specific details on their involvement in Space Domain Awareness (SDA) prior to this award are not fully elaborated in the provided data, their general experience in providing technical, engineering, and professional services to government agencies, including the Department of Defense, suggests a foundational capability. Their portfolio often includes support for complex systems and research initiatives. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and contract history would reveal the extent and success of their prior work in highly specialized R&D areas relevant to SDA, including their ability to manage large-scale, long-term projects and deliver on technical requirements.

How does the $151.6 million contract value compare to historical spending on Space Domain Awareness support services?

The $151.6 million contract value represents a substantial, but not unprecedented, investment in Space Domain Awareness (SDA) support. Historical spending on SDA has been increasing as the space domain becomes more contested and crowded. This specific award, replacing a prior GSA task order, suggests a consolidation or re-evaluation of requirements. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze aggregate spending data for SDA-related R&D and support services across the Department of Defense and other relevant agencies over the past 5-10 years. However, given the critical nature of SDA for national security and the complexity of the required R&D, this figure aligns with the trend of significant government investment in maintaining space superiority and situational awareness.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for R&D services in the space domain?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for R&D in the space domain is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. If project scope is not tightly controlled, or if unforeseen technical challenges lead to extended labor hours or material usage, costs can escalate beyond initial estimates. For R&D, where innovation and exploration are key, defining a precise scope can be inherently difficult, increasing the risk. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and robust change management processes are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value.

How does this contract contribute to the Air Force's overall strategy for maintaining space superiority?

This contract is integral to the Air Force's strategy for maintaining space superiority by providing essential support for Space Domain Awareness (SDA). Enhanced SDA capabilities allow the Air Force to better track, identify, and understand all activities occurring in the space environment, from potential threats to debris. This improved situational awareness is fundamental for protecting U.S. space assets, ensuring freedom of operation, and deterring aggression. The R&D focus of this contract suggests it will contribute to developing advanced technologies, analytical tools, and methodologies that enhance the accuracy, timeliness, and comprehensiveness of SDA, thereby bolstering the Air Force's ability to make informed decisions and maintain a strategic advantage in space.

What are the implications of this contract being a replacement for a prior GSA task order?

The replacement of a prior Government Services Agency (GSA) task order with this direct Department of the Air Force award suggests a potential shift in procurement strategy or a recognition of the specialized nature of these services. GSA schedules offer a streamlined procurement path, but direct awards from specific agencies can sometimes provide greater flexibility in tailoring contract terms, performance requirements, and oversight to the unique needs of the program. This transition may indicate that the Air Force requires more direct control over the acquisition and management of these critical SDA support services, potentially leading to better alignment with its strategic objectives and improved program execution compared to the previous GSA arrangement.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFRA22R0005

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

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: $207,311,951

Exercised Options: $153,111,388

Current Obligation: $151,647,810

Actual Outlays: $4,021,728

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00Q14OADS611

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline