DoD's $43.3M contract for Special Mission Support Material awarded to Science Applications International Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $43,308,067 ($43.3M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-09-20

End Date: 2014-01-31

Contract Duration: 2,325 days

Daily Burn Rate: $18.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SPECIAL MISSION SUPPORT MATERIAL

Place of Performance

Location: CRANE, MARTIN County, INDIANA, 47522

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $43.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: SPECIAL MISSION SUPPORT MATERIAL Key points: 1. Contract value of $43.3M over 6.5 years suggests a significant, long-term need for specialized support. 2. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a broad market search for the best value. 3. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type may present cost control challenges if not closely monitored. 4. Performance period spans from 2007 to 2014, providing a substantial timeframe for service delivery. 5. The contract's focus on 'Special Mission Support Material' implies critical, potentially classified, operational requirements. 6. Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a major defense contractor with extensive experience in engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $43.3M contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The CPFF structure, while allowing flexibility, can lead to higher costs if the contractor's efficiency is not rigorously managed. The duration of over six years suggests a stable, albeit potentially expensive, solution for the government's needs. Without detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar specialized support contracts, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is generally expected to drive down prices and ensure the government receives the best possible value. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' designation implies a robust solicitation process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure specialized support material at the most advantageous price point, reducing the risk of overpayment for critical defense needs.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, is the primary beneficiary, receiving specialized support material. The services delivered are crucial for supporting special missions, likely enhancing operational capabilities. The contract's geographic impact is noted as Indiana (IN), suggesting a specific operational or logistical hub. Workforce implications may include specialized technical and logistical personnel required for the support material.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts can incentivize contractor spending, requiring strong government oversight to manage costs effectively.
The long performance period (over 6 years) could lead to cost escalations if not managed proactively.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the true value and efficiency of the support provided.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a potentially competitive pricing environment.
The contractor, SAIC, is a large, established entity with a significant track record in defense contracting.
The contract duration suggests a stable and reliable source of critical support material for the Navy.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a broad category encompassing design, development, and consulting for various engineering disciplines. The defense industry heavily relies on such services for complex systems and specialized operational support. The $43.3M value over 6.5 years is substantial, reflecting the specialized nature and critical importance of 'Special Mission Support Material' within the defense sector. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large-scale, long-term engineering support contracts for defense applications.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions. Therefore, it is unlikely to have direct subcontracting implications for small businesses unless the prime contractor voluntarily includes them in their supply chain. The absence of set-asides means the primary focus was on securing the best overall offer, potentially from larger, established firms.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the Department of the Navy contracting officers and program managers. The CPFF structure necessitates rigorous monitoring of costs and contractor performance to ensure value and prevent overruns. Transparency is generally limited for contracts involving 'Special Mission Support Material' due to potential security classifications. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply to investigations of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Defense Engineering Services
Naval Support Contracts
Specialized Material Procurement
Cost-Plus Contracts
Long-Term Government Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage potential cost overruns.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes objective value assessment difficult.
Nature of 'Special Mission Support Material' implies potential security classifications limiting transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $43.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. SPECIAL MISSION SUPPORT MATERIAL

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 Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $43.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-20. End: 2014-01-31.

What specific types of 'Special Mission Support Material' were procured under this contract?

The specific nature of 'Special Mission Support Material' is not detailed in the provided data, which is common for contracts involving sensitive or classified defense operations. This category could encompass a wide range of items, from specialized equipment and components to logistical support items or even technical data packages crucial for unique military missions. The 'Engineering Services' NAICS code suggests that the contract may have involved the design, development, integration, or sustainment of such materials, rather than just the off-the-shelf procurement of standard goods. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work, which is not publicly available.

How did the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact the final cost compared to other contract types?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs incurred, plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. This structure is often used when the scope of work is not precisely defined or involves significant uncertainty, as is common in research, development, or specialized engineering services. While it provides flexibility, it places a greater burden on the government to meticulously monitor and audit contractor costs to prevent inefficiencies and ensure the fixed fee remains reasonable. Compared to fixed-price contracts, CPFF can potentially lead to higher final costs if cost overruns occur and are deemed allowable. However, it can also be advantageous when innovation or adaptation is paramount, as it incentivizes the contractor to perform the work without being overly constrained by a rigid price ceiling.

What is Science Applications International Corporation's (SAIC) track record with similar Department of Defense contracts?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) is a major, well-established government contractor with extensive experience serving the Department of Defense (DoD) across a wide array of services, including engineering, IT, logistics, and mission support. They have a long history of performing complex, large-scale contracts for various military branches. While specific performance details for every contract are not always public, SAIC's continued success in winning significant DoD awards suggests a generally positive track record in delivering required services and meeting contractual obligations. Their size and experience position them as a capable provider for specialized needs like those outlined in this 'Special Mission Support Material' contract.

Were there any performance issues or disputes reported during the contract's execution from 2007 to 2014?

The provided data does not contain information regarding specific performance issues, disputes, or contract modifications during the execution of this contract from 2007 to 2014. Accessing such details would typically require reviewing contract performance reports, modification histories, or official dispute resolution records, which are often not publicly available. The contract's duration and value suggest it was a significant undertaking, and like many large government contracts, it may have encountered some level of performance challenges or required adjustments. However, without explicit data, it is impossible to confirm or deny the presence of such issues.

How does this contract's spending compare to other Department of Defense engineering services contracts awarded around the same period?

This $43.3 million contract for Special Mission Support Material, awarded in 2007 and ending in 2014, represents a substantial investment within the Engineering Services category (NAICS 541330) for the Department of Defense. During that era, the DoD was engaged in extensive operations, leading to numerous large-scale contracts for engineering, logistics, and specialized support. While precise comparisons require access to comprehensive spending databases and analysis of contract scopes, a $43.3 million award over 6.5 years is indicative of a significant, long-term requirement. It aligns with the typical scale of major support contracts awarded to large defense contractors like SAIC during periods of high operational tempo, suggesting it was a notable, but not necessarily outlier, expenditure for specialized defense needs.

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

Solicitation ID: N0002407R3284

Offers Received: 1

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: $47,783,377

Exercised Options: $47,783,377

Current Obligation: $43,308,067

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4119

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline