DoD's $21.2M A&AS contract for HEL-JTO support awarded to Schafer Government Services, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $21,212,993 ($21.2M)

Contractor: Schafer Government Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2011-12-19

End Date: 2017-06-18

Contract Duration: 2,008 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Defense

Official Description: A&AS SUPPORT TO HEL-JTO

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22203

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $21.2 million to SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: A&AS SUPPORT TO HEL-JTO Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in advisory and assistance services for a specialized program. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract are crucial for ensuring fair pricing and optimal service delivery. 3. Performance context suggests a need for specialized engineering and technical support within the Department of Defense. 4. The duration of the contract indicates a long-term requirement for these services. 5. Sector positioning places this contract within the broader engineering and professional services market for defense applications.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value-for-money for this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable service agreements. The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. However, the award to a single contractor suggests a potentially competitive bidding process that may have resulted in a reasonable overall price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors were eligible to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, two bids are sufficient to establish a competitive baseline and allow for evaluation of technical and cost proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of offers and potentially leading to more cost-effective solutions. This approach helps prevent price gouging and ensures that the government receives the best value for its investment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Defense and its specific program (HEL-JTO), which receives critical engineering and technical support. Services delivered include advisory and assistance in engineering, likely supporting research, development, or operational needs. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational sphere of the Department of the Air Force, with potential implications for defense installations. Workforce implications may include the direct employment of engineers and technical specialists by Schafer Government Services, LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep with Time and Materials pricing if not rigorously monitored.
Limited visibility into specific performance metrics without further data.
Dependence on a single contractor for specialized support could pose a risk if performance degrades.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and transparent process.
Contract duration implies a stable, long-term need, allowing for focused expertise development.
The contractor, Schafer Government Services, LLC, likely possesses specialized capabilities relevant to the HEL-JTO program.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the defense industrial base. The market for such services is characterized by specialized expertise and often involves long-term relationships with government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale A&AS contracts within the DoD for similar technical support functions.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the 'sb' field is false. This indicates that the primary award was made to a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within the provided data, which could represent a missed opportunity for small business participation in this contract's execution.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of the Air Force contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance data may be less accessible.

Related Government Programs

Defense Advisory and Assistance Services
Engineering Services Contracts
Department of the Air Force Support Contracts
HEL-JTO Program Support
Time and Materials Contracts

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost uncertainty.
Limited number of bidders (2) may indicate potential barriers to entry or limited market interest.
Lack of explicit performance metrics in provided data makes value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $21.2 million to SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LLC. A&AS SUPPORT TO HEL-JTO

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCHAFER GOVERNMENT SERVICES, 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 $21.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2011-12-19. End: 2017-06-18.

What is the historical spending trend for A&AS support to the HEL-JTO program by the Department of Defense?

Analyzing historical spending trends for A&AS support to the HEL-JTO program requires access to historical contract data beyond this single award. This $21.2 million contract, awarded in late 2011 and ending in mid-2017, represents a significant portion of spending over its duration. To understand trends, one would need to examine prior contracts for the same or similar services, looking at award amounts, contract types, and durations. A consistent or increasing spend might indicate growing program needs or inflation, while a decreasing spend could suggest program maturation, efficiency gains, or shifts in requirements. Without prior data, it's impossible to establish a trend, but this award provides a key data point for future trend analysis.

How does the per-unit cost of engineering services for this contract compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining a precise per-unit cost for comparison is difficult with the provided 'Time and Materials' contract type, as costs are driven by labor hours and rates rather than a fixed unit price. To benchmark, one would need to analyze the average hourly rates billed by Schafer Government Services, LLC, against market data for similar engineering expertise within the defense sector. Industry benchmarks for specialized engineering support can vary widely based on skill set, experience level, and security clearance requirements. If Schafer's rates are significantly higher than average for comparable roles, it could indicate a potential value concern. Conversely, rates at or below market averages would suggest competitive pricing.

What is the track record of Schafer Government Services, LLC in delivering similar advisory and assistance services to the DoD?

Schafer Government Services, LLC's track record in delivering similar A&AS services to the DoD is a critical factor in assessing contract performance risk. A review of their contract history would reveal past performance evaluations, any instances of contract disputes, and their success in meeting technical and schedule requirements on previous engagements. For this specific $21.2 million contract, understanding their performance on prior DoD contracts, especially those involving complex engineering or technical support, would provide insight into their capability and reliability. Positive past performance generally correlates with a lower risk of future performance issues, while a history of deficiencies would raise concerns.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract. Typically, for Advisory and Assistance (A&AS) contracts, KPIs would be tied to the specific objectives of the HEL-JTO program. These could include metrics related to the quality of technical advice provided, the timeliness of support, the accuracy of analyses, contributions to program milestones, or the successful resolution of engineering challenges. The 'Time and Materials' contract type often relies on detailed task orders with defined deliverables and acceptance criteria, which implicitly guide performance measurement. Without explicit KPIs, assessing the contractor's effectiveness relies heavily on the quality of deliverables and adherence to task order requirements.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader defense engineering services market?

This $21.2 million contract awarded to Schafer Government Services, LLC, contributes to the overall demand within the defense engineering services market. Such contracts signal continued government investment in specialized technical expertise, potentially encouraging other firms to develop similar capabilities. The 'full and open competition' aspect ensures that the market remains accessible to qualified vendors, fostering a competitive environment. The duration of the contract (2011-2017) suggests a stable, long-term need, which can provide a foundation for contractors to invest in personnel and resources. The specific nature of HEL-JTO support may also drive innovation or specialization within niche areas of defense engineering.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Gryphon Technologies, Inc. (UEI: 081041651)

Address: 3811 N FAIRFAX DR STE 400, ARLINGTON, VA, 22203

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $36,822,173

Exercised Options: $27,086,044

Current Obligation: $21,212,993

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS23F0176L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline