DoD's $23.3M Special Missions Weapons Training Support contract awarded to Science Applications International Corporation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,267,519 ($23.3M)

Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-09-26

End Date: 2011-09-25

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE

Sector: Defense

Official Description: SPECIAL MISSIONS WEAPONS TRAINING SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: CRANE, MARTIN County, INDIANA, 47522, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: Indiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $23.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION for work described as: SPECIAL MISSIONS WEAPONS TRAINING SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a moderate investment in specialized training services. 2. Competition was robust, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Contract duration of 4 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The award was made under full and open competition. 5. Services are categorized under Engineering Services, aligning with technical support needs. 6. The contract was awarded to a single entity, Science Applications International Corporation. 7. Performance is located in Indiana, suggesting a regional focus for training activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable service costs. The total award amount of $23.3 million over four years suggests an average annual spend of approximately $5.8 million. This figure needs to be assessed against the scope and complexity of the 'Special Missions Weapons Training Support' to determine if it represents good value. Without detailed breakdowns of labor categories, overhead, and profit, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the contract type (Cost No Fee) can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed tightly.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The presence of two bids suggests a reasonable level of competition for these specialized services. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bids would typically provide stronger price discovery and potentially drive down costs further for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging a wider range of potential providers to compete, which can lead to more competitive pricing and innovative solutions, ultimately maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of the Navy personnel requiring specialized weapons training. The services delivered are critical for maintaining operational readiness and proficiency in specialized weapons systems. Geographic impact is concentrated in Indiana, where the training activities are conducted. Workforce implications include the need for skilled instructors and support staff within Science Applications International Corporation and potentially for government personnel receiving the training.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost No Fee (CNF) contract type can present cost control challenges if not rigorously monitored.
Limited competition with only two bidders might indicate a niche market or high barriers to entry, potentially impacting long-term cost-effectiveness.
The specific nature of 'Special Missions Weapons Training' could involve sensitive information or unique requirements that limit the pool of qualified contractors.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, ensuring a broad initial solicitation.
The contract duration of four years suggests a stable and predictable requirement, allowing for efficient planning and resource allocation.
Science Applications International Corporation is a large, established defense contractor with a significant track record, implying a capacity to deliver complex services.

Sector Analysis

The defense training and simulation market is a significant segment within the broader aerospace and defense industry. This contract falls under engineering and technical services, supporting the operational readiness of military personnel. Spending in this sector is driven by the continuous need for advanced training solutions to maintain a technological edge and combat effectiveness. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other contracts for specialized military training, simulation development, and technical support services across different branches of the military.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. Furthermore, the prime contractor, Science Applications International Corporation, is a large business. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without such details, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear, though large prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support services.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of the Navy's contracting and program management offices. As a Cost No Fee (CNF) contract, rigorous financial oversight and performance monitoring are crucial to ensure that costs are reasonable and that the contractor is meeting all performance requirements. Transparency is typically managed through contract reporting mechanisms and periodic reviews. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Military Training Services
Defense Engineering Support
Weapons Systems Training
Special Operations Support
Department of Defense Contracts
Naval Training Programs

Risk Flags

Cost No Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
Limited competition (2 bidders) may reduce price competitiveness.
Specialized nature of training could limit contractor pool and increase costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $23.3 million to SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION. SPECIAL MISSIONS WEAPONS TRAINING SUPPORT

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 $23.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-26. End: 2011-09-25.

What is the historical spending trend for Special Missions Weapons Training Support by the Department of the Navy?

Analyzing historical spending for 'Special Missions Weapons Training Support' by the Department of the Navy requires access to comprehensive contract databases. Based on the provided data, this specific contract represents a total obligation of $23,267,518.68 over its four-year duration (September 26, 2007, to September 25, 2011). To understand the trend, one would need to examine prior and subsequent contracts for similar services, looking for patterns in annual spending, contract values, and the number of awards. Without this broader context, it's difficult to ascertain if this $23.3 million award is indicative of increasing, decreasing, or stable investment in this particular area of training support. Factors such as evolving threats, new weapon system procurements, and shifts in defense strategy would influence historical spending.

How does the cost per training hour or per trainee compare to industry benchmarks for similar specialized weapons training?

Determining the cost per training hour or per trainee for this 'Special Missions Weapons Training Support' contract is not feasible with the provided data. The contract is a Cost No Fee (CNF) type, which means the government reimburses the contractor for allowable costs plus a fixed fee, but the fee is earned only upon satisfactory completion of all work. This structure does not inherently provide a clear per-unit cost. To benchmark effectively, detailed breakdowns of the contractor's costs (labor, materials, overhead) and the specific training outputs (hours delivered, number of personnel trained, complexity of training) would be necessary. Industry benchmarks for specialized military training vary widely based on the type of weapon system, the level of simulation involved, instructor qualifications, and security requirements. Without these specifics, a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

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

The provided contract data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of the 'Special Missions Weapons Training Support' contract. Typically, for training contracts, KPIs might include metrics such as trainee proficiency levels achieved (e.g., pass/fail rates on evaluations), adherence to training schedules, instructor-to-trainee ratios, feedback from trainees and supervisors, and the successful integration of new training methodologies or technologies. For a Cost No Fee contract, meeting all performance requirements is essential for the contractor to earn their fee, implying that performance standards are clearly defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). A thorough review of the SOW and any associated performance management plans would be required to identify these specific KPIs.

What is Science Applications International Corporation's track record with similar defense training contracts?

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) has a substantial track record in providing a wide array of services to the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, including training and simulation support. While specific details on their performance for this particular $23.3 million 'Special Missions Weapons Training Support' contract are not elaborated here, SAIC is generally recognized as a major defense contractor capable of handling complex technical and training requirements. Their broader portfolio often includes developing training curricula, providing simulation systems, delivering instructor services, and offering technical support for various military platforms. Past performance evaluations, available through government contract databases (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), would offer more granular insights into their specific successes and challenges on similar contracts.

What is the potential risk associated with the 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type for this specialized training?

The 'Cost No Fee' (CNF) contract type, while intended to incentivize performance by linking the contractor's fee to successful completion, carries specific risks. For the government, the primary risk is that the contractor may incur costs that are higher than anticipated, potentially leading to a less favorable overall price compared to fixed-price contracts, especially if the contractor's cost management is weak. The government bears the risk of cost overruns up to the agreed-upon ceiling, and the fee is only paid upon satisfactory completion. This can sometimes lead to disputes over what constitutes 'satisfactory completion.' For the contractor, the risk lies in not earning the fee if performance is deemed unsatisfactory, despite incurring costs. Effective oversight and clear definition of performance standards are critical to mitigate these risks for the government.

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: N0002407R3491

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1710 SAIC DR, MCLEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $256,239,885

Exercised Options: $109,721,175

Current Obligation: $23,267,519

Contract Characteristics

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: N0017804D4119

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline